bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition intervention of pregnant adolescents: a systematic review
Authors: Diana Rian , Rachmah Qonita
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition interventions conducted in pregnant adolescents and their implications for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The papers in this systematic study were searched through PubMed, PMC, the Cochrane Library (Trial), ScienceDirect and Google Scholar that were published from 2000 to 2019. An experimental study using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) or non-RCT among pregnant adolescents aged 10-19 years were inclusion criteria for this study. While exclusion criteria were studies published before 2000, non-experimental study and non-English-language studies.

Findings

A total of 14 studies were identified in this review. Six studies provided interventions in the form of nutrition and health education and seven studies provided interventions in the form of nutritional supplementation (calcium, vitamin D, iron-folate, lipid-based nutrient supplements and multi-micronutrient powder. One study provided dietary intervention. The interventions in pregnant adolescents in the form of education and nutritional supplementation effectively increased the knowledge and nutrition of pregnant adolescents and decreased low birth weight (LBW) and premature birth. The impact on birth outcomes was still quite diverse. Some of the studies in this review were conducted without a comparison group, a small sample size and conducted in health-care facilities.

Conclusion

This systematic review implies a future nutrition intervention for pregnant adolescents is needed to improve nutritional status of pregnant adolescents and birth outcome. Future research using double blind RCT method with bigger sample size and various nutritional outcome are wide open to be developed.

Originality/value

Interventions in pregnant adolescents effectively increased the knowledge and nutrition of pregnant adolescents and decreased LBW and premature birth. The program implementation in the community needs to be improved so that the effectiveness of the program remains optimal as in healthcare facilities.
Heritable variation in root secondary metabolites is associated with recent climate
Authors: Bont Zoe , Züst Tobias , Arce Carla C. M. , Huber Meret , Erb Matthias
Published: May 2020

Plants can adapt to changing environments by adjusting the production and maintenance of diverse sets of bioactive secondary metabolites. To date, the impact of climatic conditions relative to other factors such as soil abiotic factors and herbivore pressure on the evolution of plant secondary metabolites is poorly understood, especially for plant roots.

We explored associations between root latex secondary metabolites in 63 Taraxacum officinale populations across Switzerland and climatic conditions, soil abiotic parameters, root herbivore pressure and cytotype distribution. To assess the contribution of environmental effects, root secondary metabolites were measured in F0 plants in nature and F2 plants under controlled greenhouse conditions.

Concentrations of root latex secondary metabolites were most strongly associated with climatic conditions, while current soil abiotic factors or root herbivore pressure did not show a clear association with root latex chemistry. Results were similar for natural and controlled conditions, suggesting heritable variation rather than environmental plasticity as underlying factor.

Synthesis. We conclude that climatic conditions likely play a major role in the evolution of root secondary metabolites. These results may hint at a novel role of root latex metabolites in tolerance of abiotic stress.
Addition of glycomacropeptide as fat replacer in sugar‐reduced Greek‐style yoghurt
Authors: Godoy‐García Liliana , Abadía‐García Lucía , Cruz‐Aldaco Karina , Castaño‐Tostado Eduardo , Murúa‐Pagola Beneranda , Amaya‐Llano Silvia L
Published: May 2020

The status of Greek‐style yoghurt (GSY) as a healthy food could be challenged by its inherent high fat content. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) possesses characteristics that make it suitable as a fat replacer. GMP powder was incorporated into fat‐reduced formulations of GSY. The addition of 0.75% GMP reduced the granular consistency and the syneresis of GSY by 50 and 10%, respectively, at all levels of fat evaluated. Flow curves and firmness analysis showed that adding GMP decreased the elastic and viscous modulus, and yoghurt firmness. The consumer acceptance of low‐fat GSY containing 0.75% GMP decreased only after 30 days of storage.
Spaces of capability: Consumption geographies at an inner‐city university
Authors: Middha Bhavna
Published: May 2020

Inner‐city universities are noteworthy in relation to food provisioning and consumption because of their locations and spatial characteristics. Among 18,500 university students surveyed by Universities Australia in 2017, one in seven reports being unable to eat in regular patterns. This finding suggests that it is important to explore how eating spaces at inner‐city universities intersect with students' eating practices. Ethnographic work conducted over three semesters in Melbourne at RMIT University's city campus revealed that around 100 microwaves installed there were used by students to prepare food in ways that may support regular eating. The research included observations, focus groups, and digital ethnography. Analysis of the findings suggests that the university's eating spaces and their material arrangements are related to students' on‐campus and off‐campus practices. Using both Walker's interpretation of Sen's capability approach—the social practice capability framework—and Schatzki's site ontology, I propose that this relationship produces spaces of capability, encouraging and enabling varied activities such as using leftovers, bulk cooking, and buying discretionary foods less impulsively. The study and its use of the idea of spaces of capability may foster new insights about the ongoing challenge to ensure student wellbeing and to consider the relationship of student wellbeing to broader issues such as sustainable consumption and environmental justice.
Purification and characterization of antioxidant peptides from enzymatic hydrolysate of mungbean protein
Authors: Xia Ji'an , Song Hongdong , Huang Kai , Li Sen , Guan Xiao
Published: May 2020

In this study, the antioxidant activity of mungbean protein hydrolysate (MPH) was systematically investigated. MPH was fractionated by ultrafiltration into two major fractions (MPH‐1 <3 kDa, MPH‐2 >3 kDa). Fraction MPH‐1, which exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, was further fractionated by gel column into three fractions (MPH‐1A, MPH‐1B, and MPH‐1C). The antioxidant activity of the MPH‐1B fraction was stronger than that of the other fractions. Eight mungbean peptides (P1–P8) were identified in fraction MPH‐1B by UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS. Among them, peptides Trp‐Gly‐Asn (WGN, P2), Ala‐Trp (AW, P4), Arg‐Gly‐Trp‐Tyr‐Glu (RGWYE, P5), and Gly‐Val‐Pro‐Phe‐Trp (GVPFW, P7) had high antioxidant activity. Moreover, these four peptides exerted protective effects against H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity and regulated the MDA content, CAT activity, and total GSH content in HepG2 cells with specific observation. This study demonstrated the potential of MPH as a source of antioxidant peptides. This provides a scientific basis for the preparation of antioxidant peptides from mungbean protein.

Practical Application

This study demonstrated the potential of the hydrolysate of mungbean protein as a source of antioxidant peptides and provided a scientific basis for the preparation of antioxidant peptides from mungbean protein.
Assessment of nutritional value and quantitative analysis of bioactive phytochemicals through targeted LC‐MS/MS method in selected scented and pigmented rice varietals
Authors: Choudhury Paramita , Dutta Krishna N. , Singh Akanksha , Malakar Dipankar , Pillai Manoj , Talukdar Narayan C. , Samanta Suman Kumar , Devi Rajlakshmi
Published: May 2020

Scented (joha) and black rice indigenous to northeast region (NER) of India are the two among 40,000 varieties of speciesOryza sativa, prevalent for its great aroma, medicinal property, and/or equally noteworthy taste. Biochemical and target‐based liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS) analysis was performed to identify and quantify the different phytonutrients from the selected rice grains of those two varieties. Biochemical assay revealed that the selected black rice (Chakhao Amubi) contains ∼1.8‐fold higher amount of total phenolic and ∼2.3‐fold higher amount of total flavonoid than the scented rice grain (Kon joha). The total starch content was significantly lower in scented rice in comparison to black rice grain. The health beneficial ratio of ω‐6/ω‐3 essential unsaturated fatty acid is notably better in scented rice grain than black rice grain. The targeted LC‐MS/MS analysis confirms the presence of oryzanol and ferulic acid in both the samples. The presence of 4‐hydroxy benzoic acid, apigenin, tricin, avenasterol, coumarin, coumaric acid, phenyl alanine, caffeic acid, and α‐tocophenol were confirmed in the scented rice, whereas the black rice confirms the presence of protocatechuic acid and dehydroxy myricetin. Further the quantitative analysis showed that the lipids lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) 16:0, lysophosphatidyl ethanolamine (LPE) 14:0, lysophosphatidyl choline (LPC) 18:2, LPE 18:2, phosphatidyl etanolamine (PE), along with oryzanol, hydroxy docosanoic acid are at least threefold higher in scented rice varietal; whereas, in Chakhao Amubi, the content of petunidin galactoside, LMMPE18:2, PC14:0 are higher than the scented rice grain. In conclusion, different phytonutrients including phenol, polyphenol, and flavonoid have been identified as bioactive phytochemicals in selected rice varietals.

Practical Application

This work will provide the information about the nutritional benefit of studied rice varietals. The used targeted LC‐MS/MS analysis will provide the one‐step information about the bioactive phytochemicals. Overall, this study will help to commercialize those varieties with proper scientific evidences.
An update on ACE2 amplification and its therapeutic potential
Authors: Marquez Alonso , Wysocki Jan , Pandit Jay , Batlle Daniel
Published: May 2020

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of variety of diseases. Targeting the formation and action of angiotensin II (Ang II), the main RAS peptide, has been the key therapeutic target for last three decades. ACE‐related carboxypeptidase (ACE2), a monocarboxypeptidase that had been discovered 20 years ago, is one of the catalytically most potent enzymes known to degrade Ang II to Ang‐(1‐7), a peptide that is increasingly accepted to have organ‐protective properties that oppose and counterbalance those of Ang II. In addition to its role as a RAS enzyme ACE2 is the main receptor for SARS‐CoV‐2. In this review, we discuss various strategies that have been used to achieve amplification of ACE2 activity including the potential therapeutic potential of soluble recombinant ACE2 protein and novel shorter ACE2 variants.
Patterns of long acting injectable antipsychotic use and associated clinical factors in schizophrenia among 15 Asian countries and region
Authors: Tang Chao Tian , Chua Ee Cheong , Chew Qian Hui , He Yan‐Ling , Si Tian‐Mei , Chiu Helen F.‐K. , Xiang Yu‐Tao , Kato Takahiro A. , Kanba Shigenobu , Shinfuku Naotaka , Lee Min‐Soo , Park Seon‐Cheol , Park Yong‐Chon , Chong Mian‐Yoon , Lin Shih‐Ku , Yang Shu‐Yu , Tripathi Adarsh , Avasthi Ajit , Grover Sandeep , Kallivayalil Roy A. , Udomratn Pichet , Chee Kok Yoon , Tanra Andi J. , Rabbani Md Golam , Javed Afzal , Kathiarachchi Samudra , Waas Dulshika , Myint Wing Aung , Sartorius Norman , Tran Van Cuong , Nguyen Kim Viet , Tan Chay‐Hoon , Baldessarini Ross J. , Sim Kang
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Patterns of clinical use of long‐acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic drugs in many countries, especially in Asia, for treatment of patients diagnosed with chronic psychotic disorders including schizophrenia are not well established.

Methods

Within an extensive research consortium, we evaluated prescription rates for first‐ (FGA) and second‐generation antipsychotic (SGA) LAI drugs and their clinical correlates among 3557 subjects diagnosed with schizophrenia across 15 Asian countries and region.

Results

Overall, an average of 17.9% (638/3557; range: 0.0%‐44.9%) of treated subjects were prescribed LAI antipsychotics. Those given LAI vs orally administered agents were significantly older, had multiple hospitalizations, received multiple antipsychotics more often, at 32.4% higher doses, were more likely to manifest disorganized behavior or aggression, had somewhat superior psychosocial functioning and less negative symptoms, but were more likely to be hospitalized, with higher BMI, and more tremor. Being prescribed an FGA vs SGA LAI agent was associated with male sex, aggression, disorganization, hospitalization, multiple antipsychotics, higher doses, with similar risks of adverse neurological or metabolic effects. Rates of use of LAI antipsychotic drugs to treat patients diagnosed with schizophrenia varied by more than 40‐fold among Asian countries and given to an average of 17.9% of treated schizophrenia patients. We identified the differences in the clinical profiles and treatment characteristics of patients who were receiving FGA‐LAI and SGA‐LAI medications.

Discussion

These findings behoove clinicians to be mindful when evaluating patients' need to be on LAI antipsychotics amidst multifaceted considerations, especially downstream adverse events such as metabolic and extrapyramidal side effects.
The pharmacokinetics of para‐aminosalicylic acid and its relationship to efficacy and intolerance
Authors: Abulfathi Ahmed A. , Donald Peter R. , Adams Kim , Svensson Elin M. , Diacon Andreas H. , Reuter Helmuth
Published: May 2020

Following its introduction as an antituberculosis agent close to 75 years ago, the use of para‐aminosalicylic acid (PAS) has been limited by gastrointestinal intolerance and multiple formulations were produced in attempts to reduce its occurrence. More recently, an enteric‐coated, granular, slow‐release PAS formulation (PASER) was introduced and is now in wide‐spread use for the treatment of drug‐resistant tuberculosis. The current PASER dosing regimen is based on recommendations derived from older studies using a variety of different PAS formulations and relegate PAS to a role as an exclusively bacteriostatic agent. However, there is ample evidence that if sufficiently high serum concentrations are reached, PAS can be bactericidal and that intolerance following once daily dosing, that aids the achievement of such concentrations, is no worse than that following intermittent daily dosing. In particular, prevention of resistance to companion drugs appears to be dependent on the size of the single dose, and hence the peak concentrations, and not on maintaining serum levels consistently above minimum inhibitory concentration. We present a narrative review of the development of PAS formulations, dosing practices, and published data regarding pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and the relationship of PAS dosage to intolerance and efficacy. Our conclusions suggests that we are at present not using PAS to its maximum ability to contribute to regimen efficacy and protect companion drugs.
Weiqu, structural injustice and caring for sick older people in rural Chinese families: An empirical ethical study
Authors: Zou Xiang , Nie Jing‐Bao , Fitzgerald Ruth
Published: May 2020

This paper examines caregiving for sick older family members in the context of socio‐economic transformations in rural China, combining empirical investigation with normative inquiry. The empirical part of this paper is based on a case study, taken from fieldwork in a rural Chinese hospital, of a son who took care of his hospitalized mother. This empirical study highlighted family members’ weiqu (sense of unfairness)—a mental status from experiencing mistreatment and oppression in family care, yet with constrained power to explicitly protest or make care‐related choices. Underpinning people’s weiqu and constrained choice, as informed by the conception of structural injustice, is the impact of unjust social structures, organized by unfavourable norms, discriminatory social policies and institutions targeting rural populations. By restraining individual choices and capacities in supporting health care for aging populations, these unjust structures create additional difficulties for and discriminations against rural families and their older members. Some policy recommendations are proposed to mitigate structural injustice so as to empower families and promote care for older people in rural settings.
A reflection on an adapted approach from face‐to‐face to telephone consultations in our Urology Outpatient Department during the COVID‐19 pandemic – a pathway for change to future practice?
Authors: Patel Sheena , Douglas‐Moore Jayne
Published: May 2020

The sudden and unanticipated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) viral pandemic of 2020 and its profound impact on the NHS prompted an almost overnight change in the services we are able to offer our patients to fulfil clinical demands. From March 2020, we have changed outpatient appointments from face‐to‐face to telephone‐led consultations. We have performed an early review of this service to ensure its sustainability during the unknown duration of this current crisis and to establish its potential utility when normal services resume in the future. Our present results show a patient satisfaction of 93%, with 83% happy to have telephone follow‐up in the future, and a clinician satisfaction of 82% in the adequacy of the telephone consultation for making a clinical decision. Telephone clinics are a safe and efficient alternative to face‐to‐face outpatient consultations for many patients, particularly non‐complex benign follow‐ups.
Targeting TDP‐43 proteinopathy with drugs and drug‐like small molecules
Authors: Buratti Emanuele
Published: May 2020

Following the discovery of the involvement of the ribonucleoprotein TDP‐43 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), a major research focus has been to develop treatments that can prevent or alleviate these disease conditions. One pharmacological approach has been to use TDP‐43‐based disease models to test small molecules and drugs already known to have some therapeutic effect in a variety of neurodegenerative conditions. In parallel, various disease models have been used to perform high‐throughput screens of drugs and small compound libraries. The aim of this review will be to provide a general overview of the compounds that have been described to alter pathological characteristics of TDP‐43. These include expression levels, cytoplasmic mis‐localization, post‐translational modifications, cleavage, stress granule recruitment and aggregation. In parallel, this review will also address the use of compounds that modify the autophagic/proteasome systems that are known to target TDP‐43 misfolding and aggregation.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed issue on Recent advances in ALS pathogenesis and therapeutics. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.6/issuetoc
Does staff‐assessed care quality predict early failure of dental fillings? A prospective study
Authors: Berthelsen Hanne , Owen Mikaela , Wretlind Katharina , Westerlund Hugo
Published: May 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate staff‐assessed care quality as an indicator of register‐based measures of care quality at dental clinics, more specifically register‐based measures of survival of dental fillings and initiation of preventive treatments for caries patients.

Methods

This prospective study includes data from cross‐sectional workplace psychosocial risk assessment surveys at dental clinics and register data on survival of dental fillings, and initiation of preventive treatment for caries patients obtained from the Swedish Quality Registry for Caries and Periodontal Disease (SKaPa) Demographic background data on the age, gender, income level and place of birth of patients was obtained from Statistics Sweden (SCB). The data were analysed using discrete‐time multilevel survival analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.

Results

The results showed that staff‐assessed care quality rated by the total staff or by dental nurses at the clinic predicted the risk of replacement of dental fillings made due to a caries diagnosis during the 3‐year follow‐up period, controlling for potential confounding due to patient demographic characteristics (age, sex, income and country of birth). In contrast, the better the staff‐assessed care quality at the clinic, the smaller the proportion of the patients received preventive care in addition to operative caries therapy when controlling for potential confounding due to patient demographics. Care quality assessed by dentists at the clinic did not predict either of these outcome measures.

Conclusions

Premature failure of dental fillings is costly for both patients and society, which leads to a need for relevant measures for following dental care quality. Our findings indicate that staff‐assessed care quality – a cheap and easy measure to collect and follow continuously in dental practice – can be used to monitor aspects of quality in real time in order to facilitate continuous improvement and quickly amend quality problems. Also, it can be used for integrating quality improvement in systematic work environment risk management.
The use of vitamin D in preventing post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcemia: An endocrinologist survey study
Authors: Pinardo Heinrich , Rubin Samuel J. , Hashemi Sean , DePietro Joseph , Pearce Elizabeth N. , Ananthakrishnan Sonia , Alexanian Sara M. , Steenkamp Devin W. , Noordzij Jacob Pieter
Published: May 2020

Objective

To evaluate the use of preoperative vitamin D levels and postoperative vitamin D supplementation among endocrinologists for the prevention of post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia.

Methods

Endocrinologist members of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) were contacted via email to complete a 21‐question survey, which included both questions about demographic information, and preventing and managing postoperative hypocalcaemia after thyroidectomy. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine the respondents' use of preoperative vitamin D levels, dose and duration of preoperative vitamin D repletion, decision to delay surgery for low vitamin D levels in the case of a benign or malignant disease, and routine prescription of postoperative calcium or vitamin D supplementation.

Results

225 endocrinologists who were ATA members responded to the questionnaire. When compared to endocrinologists practicing in other countries, those that practice in the United States were 2.5 times more likely to check preoperative vitamin D levels (95% CI[1.404, 4.535], P = .002), significantly more likely to replete vitamin D deficient patients with high‐dose vitamin D (ie ≥50K IU/week), 4.458 times more likely to prescribe prophylactic supplemental calcium (95% CI[2.446, 8.126]; P < .0001) and 3.48 more likely to prescribe supplemental vitamin D (95% CI [1.906, 6.355]; P < .0001). Endocrinologists who have been in practice for >10 years were also 1.915 times more likely to prescribe supplemental vitamin D (95% CI (1.080, 3.395); P = .0263). Physicians that treat >50 thyroidectomy cases/year were 2.083 more likely to recommend a vitamin D repletion duration of >1 month than those that treat ≤50 cases/year ([1.036, 4.190], P = .0395). Lastly, if the patient has low preoperative vitamin D levels, 47.05% of respondents chose to delay surgery in a benign disease, while only 11.61% of respondents would do so in a case of malignant disease.

Conclusions

Approximately one‐half of surveyed endocrinologists reported using preoperative vitamin D levels to assess a patient's risk for post‐thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Endocrinologists practicing in the United States, compared to those practicing in other countries, were more likely to both test for preoperative vitamin D levels and to recommend prophylactic post‐thyroidectomy calcium and vitamin D supplementation.
Risk factors of radiation pneumonitis in patients with NSCLC treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy––Are we underestimating diabetes?––Turkish oncology group (TOG)/Lung cancer study group
Authors: Ergen Sefika A. , Dincbas Fazilet O. , Yücel Birsen , Altınok Pelin , Akyurek Serap , Korkmaz Kıraklı Esra , Ulger Sukran , Etiz Durmus , Yilmaz Ufuk , Kılıc Diclehan , Bozcuk Hakan
Published: May 2020

Introduction

To evaluate the clinical and dosimetric parameters that increase the risk of radiation pneumonitis (RP) in locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with concomitant chemoradiotherapy of nationwide multicentric data analysis.

Methods

All data of 268 patients who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively collected from eight institutes participating in this study. Patient, tumor and treatment‐related factors and dosimetric parameters were analyzed for grade ≥2 RP. The toxicity scoring system of The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group used for grading the severity of pneumonitis. A relationship with the risk of RP with potential predictive factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. A recursive partition analysis (RPA) was applied to stratify patients according to the risk of developing RP.

Results

There were 90 (33.6%) patients who had grade ≥2 RP. The median time to pneumonitis after treatment was 4 months (range:1‐6 months). In univariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (DM), use of cisplatin/etoposide, total and daily radiotherapy (RT) fraction dose, the planning target volume (PTV) size, mean lung dose, V5, V10 and RT technique were associated with the development of pneumonitis. In multivariate analysis, only DM (P = 0.008) was found to be independent risk factors for RP. According to RPA, the risk of developing RP was highest in patients with DM.

Conclusions

In our study, besides the known dosimetric factors, DM was found to be the most important risk factor causing RP development in multivariate analysis and RPA. The risk is tripled compared to patients without DM.
Application errors associated with topical treatment of scabies: an observational study
Authors: Nemecek Romina , Stockbauer Anna , Lexa Martina , Poeppl Wolfgang , Mooseder Gerhard
Published: May 2020

Background

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in scabies infestations throughout German‐speaking countries. Given the high frequency of treatment failures, the question arises as to whether topical permethrin treatment is always performed correctly.

Patients and methods

Our department uses a fluorescent test cream to teach patients on how to correctly apply topical permethrin. In the context of a prospective observational study of 21 patients, we systematically assessed and analyzed potential application errors.

Results

None of the participants succeeded in adequately applying the cream to the entire skin as previously instructed. The median number of regions left untreated was six (minimum: 2; maximum: 18), which included a median body surface area of 6 % (minimum: 2 %; maximum: 30 %). With regard to predilection sites of scabies, the ankles were left untreated in 62 % of cases, followed by the interdigital spaces (toes) (33 %) and the sacral region (24 %). All patients considered the pretreatment training to be very useful.

Conclusions

The present findings clearly demonstrate potential shortcomings when it comes to the application of topical antiscabies treatment. This may provide a (potentially underestimated) explanation for the large number of reports on treatment failures in this regard, which falsely suggest potential treatment resistance.
PROCEDURAL UNFAIR WAGE DIFFERENTIALS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Authors: Grosch Kerstin , Rau Holger A.
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we investigate how payment procedures that are deemed unfair can spur unethical behavior towards innocent coworkers in a real‐effort experiment. In our Discrimination treatment, a highly unfair payment procedure with wage differentials, half the workforce is randomly selected and paid by relative performance whereas the remaining receives no payment. A joy‐of‐destruction game measures unethical behavior subsequently. Non‐earners in Discrimination destroy significantly more than in the non‐discriminatory control treatments. In Discrimination, unethical behavior is generally high for all non‐earners, independent of individual inequality aversion and relative performance beliefs. In the control treatments, inequality aversion is the main driver of destructive behavior. (JEL C91, D03, J33, J70, M52)
Estimation of elastic‐plastic strain response at two‐dimensional notches
Authors: Ball Dale L.
Published: May 2020

It is widely recognized that the accuracy of notch fatigue calculations can be improved significantly when those calculations are based on the elastic‐plastic response strain at the notch root, as opposed to the remotely applied loads or stresses. Two of the most widely used approximations for this response are Neuber's rule and Glinka's equivalent strain energy density method. In the present work, a survey of some of the many published evaluations of these methods was first conducted, and then, additional detailed comparisons with elastic‐plastic finite element analyses for a series of semicircular and V‐shaped notch configurations were performed. Based on the observed limitations of both the Neuber and Glinka approaches, and with the guidance of the elastic‐plastic finite element results, a new (and more robust) approach for the estimation of notch response strains is proposed. This approach calls for the definition of a generalized notch response curve (GNRC), which is dependent on both the material stress–strain curve and the notch geometry. Once defined, the GNRC allows the determination of the response strain for any applied stress.
Signals 1, 2 and B cell fate or: Where, when and for how long?
Authors: Turner Jackson S. , Benet Zachary L. , Grigorova Irina L.
Published: May 2020

Diverse B cell responses are important for generating antibody‐mediated protection against highly variable pathogens. While some antigens can trigger T‐independent B cell proliferation and short‐term antibody production, development of long‐term humoral immunity requires T‐dependent B cell responses. The “two‐signal” model of B cell activation has long been invoked to explain alternate B cell recruitment into immune response to foreign antigens vs. induction of tolerance to self‐antigens. However, a number of other factors appear to influence the fate of mature B cells responding to antigen in vivo. In this review, we will discuss how various spatiotemporal scenarios of antigen access into secondary lymphoid organs, antigen valency and cellular environment of antigen acquisition by B cells, duration of B cell access to antigen and the timing of T cell help may affect follicular B cell fate, including death, survival, anergy, and recruitment into T‐dependent responses. We will also highlight unresolved questions related to B cell activation and tolerance in vivo that may have important implications for vaccine development and autoimmunity.
Melatonin modulates mitophagy, innate immunity and circadian clocks in a model of viral‐induced fulminant hepatic failure
Authors: Crespo Irene , Fernández‐Palanca Paula , San‐Miguel Beatriz , Álvarez Marcelino , González‐Gallego Javier , Tuñón María Jesús
Published: May 2020

The haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a non‐cultivable virus that promotes in rabbits an acute disease which accomplishes many characteristics of an animal model of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Beneficial effects of melatonin have been reported in RHDV‐infected rabbits. This study investigated whether protection against viral‐derived liver injury by melatonin is associated with modulation of mitophagy, innate immunity and clock signalling. Rabbits were experimentally infected with 2 × 104 haemagglutination units of a RHDV isolate and killed at 18, 24 and 30 hours after infection (hpi). Melatonin (20 mg/kg body weight ip) was administered at 0, 12 and 24 hpi. RHDV infection induced mitophagy, with the presence of a high number of mitophagosomes in hepatocytes and increased expression of mitophagy genes. Greater expression of main innate immune intermediaries and inflammasome components was also found in livers with RHDV‐induced FHF. Both mitophagy and innate immunity activation was significantly hindered by melatonin. FHF induction also elicited an early dysregulation in clock signalling, and melatonin was able to prevent such circadian disruption. Our study discloses novel molecular routes contributing to RHDV‐induced damage progression and supports the potential of melatonin as a promising therapeutic option in human FHF.
Plac8‐mediated autophagy regulates nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell function via AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Huang Mao‐Ling , Qi Cheng‐Lin , Zou You , Yang Rui , Jiang Yang , Sheng Jian‐Fei , Kong Yong‐Gang , Tao Ze‐Zhang , Chen Shi‐Ming
Published: May 2020

To explore the relationship between autophagy and cell function, we investigated how PLAC8‐mediated autophagy influences proliferation, apoptosis and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NPC. Colony formation analyses and CCK8 assays were used to assess the proliferative capacity of NPC cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to identify autophagosomes. Autophagic flux was monitored using the tandem monomeric RFP‐GFP‐tagged LC3 (tfLC3) assay. The rate of apoptosis in NPC cells was analysed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate the activation of autophagy and the signalling status of the AKT/mTOR pathway. Our study reveals that knocking out PLAC8 (koPLAC8) induces autophagy and apoptosis, while suppressing NPC cell proliferation and EMT. However, inhibition of autophagy with 3‐methyladenine or by knocking down Beclin‐1 reverses the cell proliferation, apoptosis and EMT influenced by koPLAC8. We find that koPLAC8 inhibits the phosphorylation of AKT and its downstream target, mTOR. Moreover, immunofluorescence and co‐immunoprecipitation reveal complete PLAC8/AKT colocalization and PLAC8/AKT interaction, respectively. Furthermore, knockout of PLAC8 induced autophagy and inactivated AKT/mTOR signalling pathway of NPC xenografts. Overall, our findings demonstrate that koPLAC8 induces autophagy via the AKT/mTOR pathway, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and EMT, and promoting apoptosis in NPC cells.
Communication skills teaching for student dietitians using experiential learning and simulated patients
Authors: Knight A. , Baldwin C. , Reidlinger D. P. , Whelan K.
Published: May 2020

Background

Dietitians require communication competencies for effective dietetic practice. There is little evidence on how student dietitians experience and value communication skills teaching. The present study aimed to measure attitudes of student dietitians with respect to communication skills teaching and how experiential learning using simulated patients impacts confidence in their communication skills.

Methods

Communication skills teaching adopting an experiential skills‐based approach including practice with simulated patients, feedback and reflection were developed. A 67‐item questionnaire with three sections: (i) views regarding the importance of communication skills to dietetic practice; (ii) attitudes to learning communication skills using a modified Communication Skills Attitude Scale; and (iii) confidence in their own communication skills, was completed by students before and after the course, with responses recorded on a five‐point Likert scale and analysed pairwise using McNemar’s test.

Results

Over three academic years, 112 students (91.8% response rate) completed the evaluation. After training, students rated communication skills as important for patient satisfaction (100%) and relationships with patients (99.1%). Student dietitians had positive attitudes to learning communication skills with positive attitudes scale score before teaching of mean (SD) 53.6 (5.3) and after of 54.0 (5.8) (P = 0.162). Following experiential teaching, the proportion of students feeling ‘very or extremely confident’ in understanding a patient’s perspective increased from 27.7% to 41.1% (P = 0.008) and for reaching agreement with a patient from 4.5% to 17.9% (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Student dietitians consider communication skills important for dietetic practice. They receive teaching positively and an experiential skills‐based approach can improve self‐rated confidence.
Proposal for a new compilation system for metal ores in economy wide material flow accounting
Authors: West James , Lieber Mirko , Lutter Stephan , Schandl Heinz
Published: May 2020

The authors of this article propose a major revision of the processes used for assembling the metal ores component of economy wide material flow accounts (EW‐MFA). The case for doing this is built by describing in detail important shortcomings of current metal ores reporting systems, introducing the key features of the revised system being proposed, and then illustrating the way in which the new system both solves old shortcomings and adds important new capacities. The new capacities added are of particular interest with regard to organizing the data required for a range of practical resource and environmental monitoring and management tasks, at national and smaller scale. The various components of the case for change are explained largely using illustrative examples. The direct motivations behind this work are twofold. First, the proposed system will improve the accuracy and fitness for current uses of the metal ores accounts being assembled. Second, and more importantly, the additional capabilities of the revised system as a resource and environmental management tool will make the process of assembling EW‐MFA accounts more clearly relevant to the concerns of developing countries, which are increasingly being prevailed upon to compile these accounts. In addition to the direct benefits of improved resources and environmental management that should be enabled by the revised system, it is expected that expanding the utility derived from the EW‐MFA process will provide a stronger incentive for its institutionalization and maintenance by individual nations.
Histology and pneumaticity of Aoniraptor libertatem (Dinosauria, Theropoda), an enigmatic mid‐sized megaraptoran from Patagonia
Authors: Aranciaga Rolando Mauro , Garcia Marsà Jordi , Novas Fernando
Published: May 2020

Aoniraptor libertatem is a mid‐sized megaraptoran that comes from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) Huincul Formation at Río Negro province, Patagonia, Argentina. In this study, we conducted a detailed analysis of pneumaticity of the sacrum and tail of Aoniraptor. This shows a complex structure within these vertebrae, being composed by small diverticulae surrounding large pneumatic canals and a central chamber that opens outside through pleurocoels or pneumatic canals. Further, we carried out a histologic analysis which confirms the pneumatic nature of these anatomical features. Both analyses found that chevrons in Aoniraptor were invaded by pneumaticity, a feature that appears to be unique to this taxon. In addition, a comparative analysis between Aoniraptor and other theropods (e.g. Gualicho and other megaraptorans) was carried out. This resulted in the modification of previous schemes about the evolution of pneumaticity through Theropoda, the finding of some evolutionary pneumatic traits through Megaraptora, and the usefulness of pneumatic traits as a taxonomic tool.
Negative Spillovers Across Partnerships for Responsible Innovation: Evidence from the 2014 Ebola Outbreak
Authors: Arslan Birgul , Tarakci Murat
Published: May 2020

Humanity faces ongoing and contemporaneous grand challenges. Occasionally, abrupt shocks escalate a grand challenge’s salience over others. Prior research has advocated forming partnerships to address grand challenges via responsible innovation. Yet, it remains unclear how temporal changes in the salience of a grand challenge impact innovation performances of partnerships. We address this research gap by bridging the literature on issue salience, responsible innovation and interorganizational relationships. We argue that shocks either aid or harm the performance of partnerships for responsible innovation depending on whether their domains are directly or indirectly affected. The Ebola outbreak in 2014 sets the empirical context to test our theory. We find that while the innovation performance of Ebola partnerships formed after the outbreak rose eleven‐fold, the performance of partnerships treating Influenza fell by 84.9 per cent. Our theory and findings have immediate implications for today’s COVID‐19 outbreak, cautioning against salience shifts among concurrent grand challenges.
High mean entropy calculated from cardiac MRI texture analysis is associated with antitachycardia pacing failure
Authors: Gould Justin , Porter Bradley , Sidhu Baldeep S. , Claridge Simon , Chen Zhong , Sieniewicz Benjamin J. , Elliott Mark , Mehta Vishal , Campos Fernando O. , Bishop Martin J. , Costa Caroline Mendonca , Niederer Steven , Ganeshan Balaji , Razavi Reza , Chiribiri Amedeo , Rinaldi Christopher A.
Published: May 2020

Background

Antitachycardia pacing (ATP), which may avoid unnecessary implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) shocks, does not always terminate ventricular arrhythmias (VAs). Mean entropy calculated using cardiac magnetic resonance texture analysis (CMR‐TA) has been shown to predict appropriate ICD therapy. We examined whether scar heterogeneity, quantified by mean entropy, is associated with ATP failure and explore potential mechanisms using computer modeling.

Methods

A subanalysis of 114 patients undergoing CMR‐TA where the primary endpoint was delivery of appropriate ICD therapy (ATP or shock therapy) was performed. Patients receiving appropriate ICD therapy (n = 33) were dichotomized into “successful ATP” versus “shock therapy” groups. In silico computer modeling was used to explore underlying mechanisms.

Results

A total of 16 of 33 (48.5%) patients had successful ATP to terminate VA, and 17 of 33 (51.5%) patients required shock therapy. Mean entropy was significantly higher in the shock versus successful ATP group (6.1 ± 0.5 vs 5.5 ± 0.7, P = .037). Analysis of patients receiving ATP (n = 22) showed significantly higher mean entropy in the six of 22 patients that failed ATP (followed by rescue ICD shock) compared to 16 of 22 that had successful ATP (6.3 ± 0.7 vs 5.5 ± 0.7, P = .048). Computer modeling suggested inability of the paced wavefront in ATP to successfully propagate from the electrode site through patchy fibrosis as a possible mechanism of failed ATP.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest lower scar heterogeneity (mean entropy) is associated with successful ATP, whereas higher scar heterogeneity is associated with more aggressive VAs unresponsive to ATP requiring shock therapy that may be due to inability of the paced wavefront to propagate through scar and terminate the VA circuit.
Different efficiencies in organic P exploitation of two Italian alfalfa (Medicago sativa) landraces involving a possible adaptation pattern of the phytase encoding MsPHY1 gene
Authors: Carelli Maria , Cabassi Giovanni , Abbruscato Pamela , Losini Ilaria , Aggiato Michele S. , Biazzi Elisa , Scotti Carla
Published: May 2020

The agricultural practice of manure cropping can result in the accumulation of surplus phosphorus (P) in soils with consequent losses by leaching. Two Italian alfalfa landraces originating from intensive (“Cremonese”) versus extensive (“Senese”) cattle farming regions were studied in order to investigate their variation for (a) efficiency in exploiting different P sources–farm dairy effluents (FDE), phytic acid (Phy), and inorganic P (IP)–in a lysimeter trial, and (b) the sequence of the MsPHY1 gene, which encodes a root extracellular phytase, releasing inorganic P for plant growth.

The Cremonese landrace showed higher P uptake efficiency than Senese in the FDE and Phy treatments and lower inorganic P losses in leachates, particularly in the FDE treatment. The MsPHY1 gene was highly variable and the variation was not neutral but maintained by selection. Two non‐synonymous SNPs, in particular SNP970, located in a motif containing conserved metal‐ligating residues, produced alternative alleles with frequency differences between landraces. A pattern of adaptive response for the ability to use organic P forms is discussed at both the physiological and genetic levels.
Cytologic, histologic, microbiologic, and electron microscopic characterization of a canine Prototheca wickerhamii infection
Authors: Whipple Kellie M. , Wellehan James F. , Jeon Albert B. , Sabatino Bethany R. , Frasca Salvatore , Popov Vsevolod L. , Ossiboff Robert , Leissinger Mary K.
Published: May 2020

An adult dog was presented for chronic cough and a recent development of ulcerated, erythematous nares with nasal discharge. Cytology of enlarged peripheral lymph nodes revealed many intracellular and extracellular organisms. These round or rarely oval organisms measured approximately 5‐9 µm in diameter and frequently contained several globular structures, ranging from deeply basophilic to magenta. A thin, clear halo was present. Smaller 1‐2 µm, magenta forms were also observed. Fungal culture yielded small, wet, raised, irregularly shaped, white to pale tan colonies. Microbiologic staining of cultured material revealed features suggestive of algae. Histopathology of the lymph nodes revealed marked granulomatous inflammation with intralesional algal organisms suggestive of Prototheca. Electron microscopic findings were also consistent with protothecosis. Polymerase chain reaction, followed by direct DNA sequencing, identified the organism as Prototheca wickerhamii. A brief literature review discussing protothecosis in veterinary medicine is included.
School Identity of Secondary Technical Schools Students and University Students
Authors: Kvitkovičová Lucia , Máchová Jana
Published: May 2020

The study describes the development of school identity among young people, it focuses on its two main processes, namely the exploration of the study and commitment to study. The research goal of the study was to determine the role of the type of the school and subjective perception of the study in these processes. 194 university students and 116 students of secondary technical schools with craft specialisation between 18 and 21 years of age filled in the questionnaire of school identity and answered questions about the attitude to their study. Analysis of covariance showed that university students, compared to the students of secondary technical schools with craft specialisation, are characterised by a greater degree of exploration of the study. Subjectively perceived career relevance of the study and preference of the study significantly influenced the degree of commitment to study. The highest degree of commitment to study was reached by those students, who perceived their study as a direct part of preparation for their future career, and students, who studied the field they have always wanted to study. The results are discussed considering the theoretical basis of the study and its possible practical impact.