bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging after ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract for high perianal fistulas in Crohn's disease: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Meima ‐ van Praag E. M. , van Rijn K. L. , Monraats M. A. , Buskens C. J. , Stoker J.
Published: August 2020

Aim

Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) is increasingly being used for surgical closure of high perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease. Currently, data on postoperative MRI findings are scarce, although they are considered important for assessing healing and recurrence. Our aim, therefore, was to evaluate fistula characteristics on MRI and their relationship with clinical outcomes after LIFT.

Method

Consecutive Crohn's patients treated with LIFT between 2007 and 2018 who underwent baseline and follow‐up MRI were retrospectively included. MRIs were scored by two radiologists according to characteristics based on the original and modified Van Assche indices. MRI findings, with emphasis on fibrosis, and the relationship with clinical healing, re‐interventions and recurrences are described.

Results

Twelve patients were included [four men, median age 34 (interquartile range 28–39) years]. Follow‐up MRI was performed at a median of 5.5 months (interquartile range 2.5–6.0) after LIFT. At baseline, all patients showed a tract with predominantly granulation tissue, which changed to predominantly fibrotic in seven (in three of whom it was completely fibrotic). All patients with a (predominantly) fibrotic tract had clinical closure and no re‐interventions or recurrences during long‐term follow‐up. In contrast, of the five patients with persisting granulation tissue, two reached clinical healing, two needed re‐intervention and one had a recurrence.

Conclusion

Markedly decreased fistula activity can be observed on MRI after LIFT. The majority of patients develop a predominantly fibrotic tract relatively soon after LIFT without clinical recurrence, suggesting a highly effective therapy. Unfavourable clinical outcomes were only present in patients with persisting granulation tissue, indicating the potential prognostic value of MRI.
LncRNAs are regulated by chromatin states and affect the skeletal muscle cell differentiation
Authors: Qi Xiaolong , Hu Mingyang , Xiang Yue , Wang Daoyuan , Xu Yueyuan , Hou Ye , Zhou Huanhuan , Luan Yu , Wang Zhangxu , Zhang Weiya , Li Xinyun , Zhao Shuhong , Zhao Yunxia
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aims to clarify the mechanisms underlying transcriptional regulation and regulatory roles of lncRNAs in skeletal muscle cell differentiation.

Methods

We analysed the expression patterns of lncRNAs via time‐course RNA‐seq. Then, we further combined the ATAC‐seq and ChIP‐seq to investigate the governing mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs. Weighted correlation network analysis and GO analysis were conducted to identify the transcription factor (TF)‐lncRNA pairs related to skeletal muscle cell differentiation.

Results

We identified 385 DE lncRNAs during C2C12 differentiation, the transcription of which is determined by chromatin states around their transcriptional start sites. The TF‐lncRNA correlation network showed substantially concordant changes in DE lncRNAs between C2C12 differentiation and satellite cell rapid growth stages. Moreover, the up‐regulated lncRNAs showed a significant decrease following the differentiation capacity of satellite cells, which gradually declines during skeletal muscle development. Notably, inhibition of the lncRNA Atcayos and Trp53cor1 led to the delayed differentiation of satellite cells. Those lncRNAs were significantly up‐regulated during the rapid growth stage of satellite cells (4‐6 weeks) and down‐regulated with reduced differentiation capacity (8‐12 weeks). It confirms that these lncRNAs are positively associated with myogenic differentiation of satellite cells during skeletal muscle development.

Conclusions

This study extends the understanding of mechanisms governing transcriptional regulation of lncRNAs and provides a foundation for exploring their functions in skeletal muscle cell differentiation.
Model Informed Dosing Regimen and Phase I Results of the Anti‐PD‐1 Antibody Budigalimab (ABBV‐181)
Authors: Powderly John , Spira Alexander , Kondo Shunsuke , Doi Toshihiko , Luke Jason J. , Rasco Drew , Gao Bo , Tanner Minna , Cassier Philippe A. , Gazzah Anas , Italiano Antoine , Tosi Diego , Afar Daniel E. , Parikh Apurvasena , Engelhardt Benjamin , Englert Stefan , Lambert Stacie L. , Kasichayanula Sreeneeranj , Mensing Sven , Menon Rajeev , Vosganian Gregory , Tolcher Anthony
Published: August 2020

Budigalimab is a humanized, recombinant, Fc mutated IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) receptor, currently in phase I clinical trials. The safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics (PKs), pharmacodynamics (PDs), and budigalimab dose selection from monotherapy dose escalation and multihistology expansion cohorts were evaluated in patients with previously treated advanced solid tumors who received budigalimab at 1, 3, or 10 mg/kg intravenously every 2 weeks (Q2W) in dose escalation, including Japanese patients that received 3 and 10 mg/kg Q2W. PK modeling and PK/PD assessments informed the dosing regimen in expansion phase using data from body‐weight‐based dosing in the escalation phase, based on which patients in the multihistology expansion cohort received flat doses of 250 mg Q2W or 500 mg every four weeks (Q4W). Immune‐related adverse events (AEs) were reported in 11 of 59 patients (18.6%), of which 1 of 59 (1.7%) was considered grade ≥ 3 and the safety profile of budigalimab was consistent with other PD‐1 targeting agents. No treatment‐related grade 5 AEs were reported. Four responses per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 were reported in the dose escalation cohort and none in the multihistology expansion cohort. PK of budigalimab was approximately dose proportional and sustained > 99% peripheral PD‐1 receptor saturation was observed by 2 hours postdosing, across doses. PK/PD and safety profiles were comparable between Japanese and Western patients, and exposure‐safety analyses did not indicate any trends. Observed PK and PD‐1 receptor saturation were consistent with model predictions for flat doses and less frequent regimens, validating the early application of PK modeling and PK/PD assessments to inform the recommended dose and regimen, following dose escalation.
Epigenetic Changes Associated With Anthracycline‐Induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Tantawy Marwa , Pamittan Frances G. , Singh Sonal , Gong Yan
Published: August 2020

Advances in cancer treatment have significantly improved the survival of patients with cancer, but, unfortunately, many of these treatments also have long‐term complications. Cancer treatment‐related cardiotoxicities are becoming a significant clinical problem that a new discipline, Cardio‐Oncology, was established to advance the cardiovascular care of patients with growing cancer populations. Anthracyclines are a class of chemotherapeutic agents used to treat many cancers in adults and children. Their clinical use is limited by anthracycline‐induced cardiotoxicity (AIC), which can lead to heart failure. Early‐onset cardiotoxicity appears within a year of treatment, whereas late‐onset cardiotoxicity occurs > 1 year and even up to decades after treatment completion. The pathophysiology of AIC was hypothesized to be caused by generation of reactive oxygen species that lead to lipid peroxidation, defective mitochondrial biogenesis, and DNA damage of the cardiomyocytes. The accumulation of anthracycline metabolites was also proposed to cause mitochondrial damage and the induction of cardiac cell apoptosis, which induces arrhythmias, contractile dysfunction, and cardiomyocyte death. This paper will provide a general overview of cardiotoxicity focusing on the effect of anthracyclines and their epigenetic molecular mechanisms on cardiotoxicity.
Fit‐for‐Purpose Biometric Monitoring Technologies: Leveraging the Laboratory Biomarker Experience
Authors: Godfrey Alan , Vandendriessche Benjamin , Bakker Jessie P. , Fitzer‐Attas Cheryl , Gujar Ninad , Hobbs Matthew , Liu Qi , Northcott Carrie A. , Parks Virginia , Wood William A. , Zipunnikov Vadim , Wagner John A. , Izmailova Elena S.
Published: August 2020

Biometric monitoring technologies (BioMeTs) are becoming increasingly common to aid data collection in clinical trials and practice. The state of BioMeTs, and associated digitally measured biomarkers, is highly reminiscent of the field of laboratory biomarkers 2 decades ago. In this review, we have summarized and leveraged historical perspectives, and lessons learned from laboratory biomarkers as they apply to BioMeTs. Both categories share common features, including goals and roles in biomedical research, definitions, and many elements of the biomarker qualification framework. They can also be classified based on the underlying technology, each with distinct features and performance characteristics, which require bench and human experimentation testing phases. In contrast to laboratory biomarkers, digitally measured biomarkers require prospective data collection for purposes of analytical validation in human subjects, lack well‐established and widely accepted performance characteristics, require human factor testing, and, for many applications, access to raw (sample‐level) data. Novel methods to handle large volumes of data, as well as security and data rights requirements add to the complexity of this emerging field. Our review highlights the need for a common framework with appropriate vocabulary and standardized approaches to evaluate digitally measured biomarkers, including defining performance characteristics and acceptance criteria. Additionally, the need for human factor testing drives early patient engagement during technology development. Finally, use of BioMeTs requires a relatively high degree of technology literacy among both study participants and healthcare professionals. Transparency of data generation and the need for novel analytical and statistical tools creates opportunities for precompetitive collaborations.
Pancreatic space‐occupying lesion: ‘Keep me in your mind’
Authors: Kapatia Gargi , Rajwanshi Arvind
Published: August 2020

This report describes a case of metastatic Ewing sarcoma in the pancreas of a young female diagnosed on FNAC with the help of immunocytochemistry.
Regular arrangement of collecting venules and the Kimura‐Takemoto classification for the endoscopic diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori infection: Evaluation in a Western setting
Authors: Ebigbo Alanna , Marienhagen Jörg , Messmann Helmut
Published: August 2020

Background

The regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) and the Kimura‐Takemoto classification of atrophic change (KTC) are simple and easy‐to‐use criteria which have been shown to reliably predict or rule out a Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach. Although these features have been investigated extensively in Asia, their significance in the West has not been evaluated.

Methods

In a series of 200 consecutive gastroscopic examinations (single examiner, single center), the presence or absence of RAC and the KTC grade (open type vs closed type) were recorded prospectively. Helicobacter pylori infection was defined as a positive histology or a positive rapid urease test. Furthermore, multivariate analysis of endoscopic predictors of H. pylori infection based on the Kyoto classification of gastritis was performed.

Results

Two hundred patients were examined of which 57 had a H. pylori infection (28%). Both RAC and KTC had excellent negative predictive values of about 90% and sensitivity values of up to 85%. In multivariate analysis, atrophic change and diffuse redness without RAC were significantly associated with H. pylori infection.

Conclusion

Regular arrangement of collecting venules and KTC are simple endoscopic features which should be given attention by Western endoscopists and can be easily used to rule out a H. pylori infection of the stomach.
Clinical use of the Insight Inventory in cerebral visual impairment and the effectiveness of tailored habilitational strategies
Authors: Tsirka Asimina , Liasis Alki , Kuczynski Adam , Vargha‐Khadem Faraneh , Kukadia Roopen , Dutton Gordon , Bowman Richard
Published: August 2020

Aim

To investigate the utility of the Insight Inventory (a structured clinical inventory completed by caregivers) for assessment of children with cerebral visual impairment; and to investigate effectiveness of tailored habilitational strategies derived from the responses to the Insight Inventory.

Method

Fifty‐one eligible children (26 males, 25 females; mean age 9y 5mo, SD 3y, range 5–16y) were recruited from Great Ormond Street Hospital, London. They underwent baseline assessment including neuro‐ophthalmological and neuropsychological evaluations, and parent‐ and child‐reported ratings on a questionnaire‐based measure of quality of life. Parents also completed the Insight Inventory. On the basis of responses to the Inventory, families received individualized habilitational strategies. Follow‐up assessments 6 months later included repeating the Insight Inventory and quality of life questionnaires.

Results

Correlations were found between the Insight Inventory and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition, the Beery‐Buktenica Test of Visual‐Motor Integration, and the Benton Facial Recognition Test, suggesting that the Insight Inventory is an effective tool to estimate visual–perceptual difficulties. At 6 months follow‐up, caregiver reports indicated significant improvements in the quality of life of children below the age of 12 years.

Interpretation

The Insight Inventory is a simple questionnaire which covers practical aspects of cognitive visual function in everyday life. It provides in‐depth information about the aspects that children struggle with. It can also guide programmes of individualized habilitation strategies, which may enhance the quality of life of younger children.

What this paper adds

Questionnaire scores demonstrate biologically plausible correlations with formal neuropsychological tests of visual function.

After administration of matched practical habilitational strategies, younger children showed improvement in quality of life and functional vision scores.
Identity and Redistribution: Theory and Evidence
Authors: Dhami Sanjit , Manifold Emma , al‐Nowaihi Ali
Published: August 2020

We propose a theoretical model that embeds social identity concerns, as in Akerlof and Kranton (2000), with inequity averse preferences, as in Fehr and Schmidt (1999). We conduct an artefactual ultimatum game experiment with registered members of British political parties, for whom political identity is salient and redistribution is also likely to be salient. The empirical results are as follows. (1) Proposers and responders demonstrate ingroup‐favouritism. (2) Proposers exhibit quantitatively stronger social identity effects relative to responders. (3) As redistributive taxes increase, average offers by proposers and the average minimum acceptable offers of responders (both as a proportion of income) decline by almost the same amount, suggesting a shared understanding that is characteristic of social norms. (4) Subjects experience less disadvantageous inequity from ingroup members relative to outgroup members.
Associations between childhood adversity, cognitive schemas and attenuated psychotic symptoms
Authors: LoPilato Allison M. , Zhang Yinghao , Pike Madeline , Addington Jean , Bearden Carrie E. , Cadenhead Kristin S. , Cannon Tyrone D. , Cornblatt Barbara A. , Mathalon Daniel H. , McGlashan Thomas H. , Seidman Larry , Perkins Diana O. , Tsuang Ming T. , Woods Scott W. , Walker Elaine F.
Published: August 2020

Aim

Childhood Adversity (CA) is strongly linked to psychotic‐like symptoms across the clinical spectrum, though the mechanisms underlying these associations remain poorly understood. Negative cognitive schemas are associated with both CA exposure and psychotic symptoms, highlighting the possibility that cognitive schemas may be a key risk pathway. The purpose of this study was to determine whether negative cognitive schemas mediate the association between CA and specific attenuated psychotic symptoms in a large sample of clinical‐high risk youth. Given the variability in experiences that encompass CA (eg, abuse, neglect and poverty) and attenuated psychotic symptoms (eg, suspiciousness and perceptual abnormalities), we also tested whether these associations differ by CA type (threat vs deprivation) and attenuated positive psychotic symptom domain.

Methods

Data were collected from 531 clinical‐high risk youth between 12 and 35 years of age (mean = 18.80, SD = 4.21) who completed a clinical assessment that included the Structured Interview of Prodromal Syndromes (SIPS), Childhood Trauma and Abuse scale and questionnaires on cognitive schemas and depressive symptoms.

Results

No direct effects of threat or deprivation exposure on any of the psychotic symptom domains were found. However, there was a unique indirect effect of threat, but not deprivation, on delusional thinking and suspiciousness through negative cognitive schemas about others.

Conclusion

Cognitive vulnerability in the form of negative schemas about others may be one mechanism linking childhood threat experiences and attenuated psychotic symptoms. The results underscore the importance of targeting negative schemas in interventions to mitigate psychosis risk.
Genomic adaptations to cereal‐based diets contribute to mitigate metabolic risk in some human populations of East Asian ancestry
Authors: Landini Arianna , Yu Shaobo , Gnecchi‐Ruscone Guido Alberto , Abondio Paolo , Ojeda‐Granados Claudia , Sarno Stefania , De Fanti Sara , Gentilini Davide , Di Blasio Anna Maria , Jin Hanjun , Nguyen Thanh Tin , Romeo Giovanni , Prata Cecilia , Bortolini Eugenio , Luiselli Donata , Pettener Davide , Sazzini Marco
Published: August 2020

Adoption of diets based on some cereals, especially on rice, signified an iconic change in nutritional habits for many Asian populations and a relevant challenge for their capability to maintain glucose homeostasis. Indeed, rice shows the highest carbohydrates content and glycemic index among the domesticated cereals and its usual ingestion represents a potential risk factor for developing insulin resistance and related metabolic diseases. Nevertheless, type 2 diabetes and obesity epidemiological patterns differ among Asian populations that rely on rice as a staple food, with higher diabetes prevalence and increased levels of central adiposity observed in people of South Asian ancestry rather than in East Asians. This may be at least partly due to the fact that populations from East Asian regions where wild rice or other cereals such as millet have been already consumed before their cultivation and/or were early domesticated have relied on these nutritional resources for a period long enough to have possibly evolved biological adaptations that counteract their detrimental side effects. To test such a hypothesis, we compared adaptive evolution of these populations with that of control groups from regions where the adoption of cereal‐based diets occurred many thousand years later and which were identified from a genome‐wide dataset including 2,379 individuals from 124 East Asian and South Asian populations. This revealed selective sweeps and polygenic adaptive mechanisms affecting functional pathways involved in fatty acids metabolism, cholesterol/triglycerides biosynthesis from carbohydrates, regulation of glucose homeostasis, and production of retinoic acid in Chinese Han and Tujia ethnic groups, as well as in people of Korean and Japanese ancestry. Accordingly, long‐standing rice‐ and/or millet‐based diets have possibly contributed to trigger the evolution of such biological adaptations, which might represent one of the factors that play a role in mitigating the metabolic risk of these East Asian populations.
Asystole associated with cerebrospinal fluid collection in a 3‐month‐old foal under general anaesthesia
Authors: Bennell A. J. , Bardell D.
Published: August 2020

A 3‐month‐old colt foal presented to the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital for investigation of progressive neurological signs. Diagnostic investigation included cerebrospinal fluid collection, which was performed under general anaesthesia. During this procedure, severe bradycardia which progressed to asystole occurred. Initial resuscitation was successful; however, the foal had clinical signs consistent with cerebral hypoxia post‐resuscitation and was euthanased the following day due to deterioration of neurological function. Asystole was presumed due to a Cushing‐type reflex as a result of changes in intracranial pressure during the sampling procedure.
COVID‐19 as a breakdown in the texture of social practices
Authors: Cozza Michela , Gherardi Silvia , Graziano Valeria , Johansson Janet , Mondon‐Navazo Mathilde , Murgia Annalisa , Trogal Kim
Published: August 2020

‘A lot of things need to be repaired and a lot of relationships are in need of a knowledgeable mending. Can we start to talk/write about them?’ This invitation — sent by one of the authors to the others — led us, as feminist women in academia, to join together in an experimental writing about the effects of COVID‐19 on daily social practices and on potential (and innovative) ways for repairing work in different fields of social organization. By diffractively intertwining our embodied experiences of becoming together‐with Others, we foreground a multiplicity of repair (care) practices COVID‐19 is making visible. Echoing one another, we take a stand and say that we need to prevent the future from becoming the past. We are not going back to the past; our society has already changed and there is a need to cope with innovation and repairing practices that do not reproduce the past.
Paediatric patients with blood‐induced ankle joint arthritis demonstrate physiological foot joint mechanics and energetics during walking
Authors: Tijskens Dorien , Lobet Sébastien , Eerdekens Maarten , Peerlinck Kathelijne , Hermans Cédric , Van Damme An , Staes Filip , Deschamps Kevin
Published: August 2020

Aim

To compare foot joint kinetics and energetics in male paediatric boys with and without blood‐induced ankle joint destruction to these of matched control groups.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in which 3D gait analysis data were collected from thirty‐five male children (6‐21 years) with severe or moderate haemophilia and twenty‐six typically developing boys. Structural integrity of the tarsal foot joints of all haemophilic patients was assessed using the IPSG‐MRI scale. All participants walked barefoot while adopting a physiological gait pattern. Three subgroups were created based on the IPSG‐MRI scores: a group with no joint involvement (HealthyHaemo), with uni‐ or bilaterally involvement (PathoHaemo) and with only unilaterally involvement (Haemo_Unilateral_Patho).

Results

The PathoHaemo group presented a significant lower Lisfranc peak dorsiflexion angular velocity (34.7°/s vs 71.4°/s,P = .000, Cohen d = 1.31) and a significantly higher Lisfranc peak plantarflexion angular velocity (−130.5°/s vs −51.8°/s,P = .000, Cohen d = 0.98) compared to the control group. The Haemo_Unilateral_Patho side had a significant higher Chopart peak dorsiflexion angular velocity compared to the Haemo_Unilateral_Healthy side (41.7°/s vs 31.9°/s,P = .002, Cohen d = 1.16).

Conclusion

No evidence for mild and severe gait deviations could be demonstrated. Internal moments, used as a surrogate measure of joint loading, quantified by the multi‐segment foot model were found to be similar within the three subanalyses. We suggest that the ongoing musculoskeletal development in children compensates for structural damage to the ankle joint.
The need for outpatient back‐up for home hemodialysis patients: Implications for resource utilization
Authors: Kennedy Claire , Auguste Bourne L. , Girsberger Michael , Srithongkul Thatsaphan , Faratro Rose , Arustei Daniela , d'Gama Celine , Magtoto Eduardo , Wong Elizabeth , McGrath‐Chong Margaret , Chan Christopher T.
Published: August 2020

Introduction

The provision of sufficient support contributes to home hemodialysis (HHD) technique survival. The need for back‐up treatment in incident and prevalent patients on HHD has not been well described previously, and is important from both technique survival and resource allocation. We aimed to quantify the amount of back‐up treatment given to patients in our HHD unit, and hypothesized that the provision of back‐up HD facilitated technique survival.

Methods

This was a retrospective, single‐center cohort study quantifying the provision of back‐up HD between January and December 2018. Electronic and paper medical records were accessed for data collection.

Findings

One hundred and nineteen patients dialyzed independently at home during the study period (96 patient years of HHD). Seventy‐eight (66%) patients required a total of 292 back‐up HD sessions in the HHD unit, representing an average of three back‐up HD runs per patient year of HHD. Fifty‐three percent of back‐up HD runs were required for vascular access related issues. The most common clinical issue requiring assessment and back‐up HD was extracellular fluid volume management. An equal proportion (95%) of those that utilized back‐up HD and those that did not utilize back‐up HD maintained a positive disposition (transplant or ongoing HHD) in relation to technique survival in the short term.

Conclusions

From a resource viewpoint, this program of approximately 100 HHD patients required the availability of one to two staffed HD stations each weekday for back‐up HD. The provision of back‐up HD was not a harbinger of HHD discontinuation.
Electrochemical dissolution of nickel‐titanium instrument fragments in root canals of extracted human maxillary molars using a small reservoir of electrolyte
Authors: Amaral C. C. F. , Ormiga F. , Araújo O. M. O. , Lopes R. T. , Gomes J. A. C. P.
Published: August 2020

Aim

To evaluate the viability of the electrochemical dissolution of fragments of fractured NiTi instruments in root canals of extracted human maxillary molars, using two electrodes and the solution restricted to a small reservoir coupled to the pulp chamber. The primary hypothesis was that this method enables the reduction of fragment volume and re‐establishment of the root canal path with a size 08 K‐file, both in simulated canals and in extracted human maxillary molars.

Methodology

Fragments of F1 ProTaper instruments were polarized in simulated root canals and in distobuccal root canals of extracted maxillary molars using a new method, with the solution restricted to a small acrylic microcell coupled to each resin block or pulp chamber. Two electrodes were used, where one was kept in contact with the intracanal fragment and another was positioned in the solution present in the acrylic microcell. After the tests, a size 08 K‐file was used passively to verify the possibility of bypassing the fragment, which was also confirmed by radiographic analysis. Micro‐CT analysis of the teeth was used before and after fragment dissolution to evaluate the volume, length and porosity of the fragments. The D'Agostino–Pearson normality test was used to verify the distribution of the data. A paired t‐test (P < 0.05) was used to compare the volume, length and porosity of the fragments before and after the dissolution tests.

Results

After dissolution, all fragments could be bypassed with a size 08 K‐file in both simulated canals and in extracted teeth. The dissolution process did not result in significant reduction of neither the fragment length nor the fragment porosity. However, it resulted in a significant reduction of fragment volume (paired t‐test, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The electrochemical dissolution of fragments of NiTi files in root canals of extracted human maxillary molars using two electrodes, and the solution restricted to a small reservoir coupled to the pulp chamber resulted in a significant reduction of fragment volume. The re‐establishment of the root canal path with the passive insertion of size 08 K‐files was possible in all samples after the tests, both in simulated canals and in extracted teeth.
Structural, morphological, and opto‐electrical properties of Y2‐xYbxO3nanoparticles synthesized using co‐precipitation method
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Tripathi Harshit , Sharma Jagmohan , Batra Uma
Published: August 2020

Advanced polycrystalline ceramics are gaining importance on development of light‐emitting diodes, infrared detectors, solid‐state lasers, etc. The physical properties of these materials are dependent on variety of dopant concentrations. In this manuscript, we have synthesized Yb‐doped Y2O3(Y2‐xYbxO3) (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.06, 0.1, 0.14) nanoparticles using co‐precipitation method. X‐ray diffraction patterns confirm the presence of cubic phase for pure Y2O3nanoparticles and mixed phase (cubic + monoclinic) for Yb‐doped Y2O3nanoparticles. The average crystallite size is found in the range 71 to 31 nm and lattice strain −1 × 10−4to‐5 × 10−4calculated using Debye‐Scherrer formula and Willimission‐Hall plot. The crystallite size decrease with dopant concentration upto x = 0.10 and material is found to exhibit compressive lattice strain. Field‐emission scanning electron microscopy shows agglomerated nanoparticles. The Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy confirms the presence of metal oxide functional groups (Y‐O and Yb‐O) and vibrational bands corresponding to O‐H vibration, C‐O bending, and stretching modes in the samples. The band gap energy (Eg) is found to decrease from 5.14 eV for x = 0.0 to 3.60 eV for x = 0.14 composition. The photolumincence spectra show characteristic blue and green emission at 486 nm for x = 0.10 and 525 nm for x = 0.0, respectively. The frequency‐dependent dielectric studies confirm the enhancement in dielectric constant with increase in Yb doping. These structural, morphological, optical, and electrical properties of Yb:Y2O3nanoparticles are helpful for selecting this material as an appropriate candidate for laser host material for medical imaging and display devices applications.
Second‐home owners as consumers of local food
Authors: Czarnecki Adam , Sireni Maarit , Dacko Mariusz
Published: August 2020

Marginal rural localities tend to gain less from local food production because they cannot generate enough demand for it. In the Nordic countries, however, seasonal populations outnumber permanent residents in many places, thereby temporarily increasing the demand for goods and services. Relatively little empirical research has been conducted on second‐home owners’ consumption of local food. This study examines their demand for it and analyses factors related to their purchase behaviour. Based on survey material derived from Finland, the article shows that the availability and accessibility of local food, as well as the activities of second‐home owners shape their consumption patterns. The study highlights the importance of second‐home owners’ place attachment and cultural understandings of second‐home lifestyles as factors related to their interest towards local food. However, from the perspective of marginal rural areas, the findings are not encouraging and local food is less likely to be consumed in the sparsely populated countryside than in those areas where local products are more readily accessible.
Effect of pre‐gelatinised high‐amylose maize starch combined with Ca2+ ‐induced setting of alginate on the physicochemical and sensory properties of rice flour noodles
Authors: Lubowa Muhammad , Yeoh Shin‐Yong , Varastegan Boshra , Easa Azhar Mat
Published: August 2020

This study explored the effect of pre‐gelatinised high‐amylose maize starch combined with Ca2+ ‐induced setting of alginate on the physicochemical and sensory properties of rice flour noodles. Rice flour noodles were prepared by partially substituting rice flour with pre‐gelatinised high‐amylose maize starch in ratios of 5, 10 and 15% (wt/wt), combined with sodium alginate at 1% (wt/wt). The noodles were then immersed in a calcium chloride solution to set the alginate. Results indicated that the hydrocolloids significantly (P < 0.05) increased noodle tensile strength, hardness, water absorption and optimum cooking time while cooking loss was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced. SEM micrographs showed a denser, compact noodle structure with an increase in the matrix's continuity as a result of hydrocolloids addition. Formulated noodles also scored above average (5.91) sensory acceptability on the 7 points hedonic scale. Overall, results proved promising for the preparation of rice flour noodles with enhanced properties.
Hempseed as a nutritious and healthy human food or animal feed source: a review
Authors: Xu Youjie , Li Jun , Zhao Jikai , Wang Weiqun , Griffin Jason , Li Yonghui , Bean Scott , Tilley Mike , Wang Donghai
Published: August 2020

Hempseed products are projected to receive great potentials due to the rapid growth in the US market. Industrial hemp has been an important crop for food, fibre and medicine applications. Hempseed products can be used as nutraceutical supplements and functional foods for human and can be applied for animal feed. This review provides a comprehensive summary of nutritional quality and health benefits of hempseed which is attributed to high levels of essential fatty acids and other PUFAs in the oil, with a rich source of essential amino acids in highly digestible protein. This review examines the impact of extraction methods on oil yield and bioactive compounds, nutrition value, and food application of hemp protein‐extracted products, including meal, protein isolate and protein concentrate. Recent research related to the understanding chemical composition, nutritional value, health benefits, processing impact, functional properties of hempseed products, and their application for food and feed is presented.
Physicochemical and functional characteristics of proteins treated by a pH‐shift process: a review
Authors: Tang Zhen‐Xing , Ying Rui‐Feng , Shi Lu‐E
Published: August 2020

Advanced structures of food proteins are maintained by many forces such as hydrophobic activities, electrostatic interaction, and disulphide bond interaction, which can affect their functional characteristics to a certain extent. Therefore, many approaches have been utilised to improve functional characteristics of food proteins. pH‐shift process refers to the method that food proteins are treated under extreme alkaline or acid conditions followed by adjusting pH to isoelectric point or neutral pH. Many studies have showed that pH‐shift process can significantly affect the functional characteristics of food proteins, for example emulsifying activities, forming property, solubility and water/oil adsorption ability. pH‐shift process has been utilised to recover protein isolates from many sources including fish, fish by‐products, meat processing products. Many researches have indicated that the functional and physicochemical characteristics of recovered protein isolates are significantly influenced by pH‐shift process. In this paper, the latest studies regarding the functional and physicochemical characteristics of proteins treated or recovered through pH‐shift process, and potential applications of obtained protein isolates in the production of the hydrolysates or used as a delivery system were reviewed.
Evaluation of fish meat noodles: physical property, dough rheology, chemistry and water distribution properties
Authors: Nawaz Asad , Li Engpeng , Khalifa Ibrahim , Irshad Sana , Walayat Noman , Mohammed Hammad Hamed Hammad , Zhang Zhongli , Ahmed Shakeel , Simirgiotis Mario Juan
Published: August 2020

The present study reports the rheological, textural, structural and water distribution properties of fish meat noodles. The results showed that storage and loss modulus were increased when 20% fish meat was added while decreased with the addition of >20% fish meat, whereas loss rate behaved vice versa. The moisture and fat content increased significantly (P < 0.05) while water absorption index was decreased upon the increment of fish meat compared to control. Lightness of dough and hardness of noodles decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while redness and yellowness were increased. Similarly, less swelled starch granules and dominancy of protein network over starch granules were observed in microstructure. The amount of free water was increased while bound water was decreased when >20% fish meat was added during low‐field nuclear magnetic resonance. The findings suggest the feasibility of adding 15–20% fish meat for the proper structure and chemistry of noodles.
Effect of dehydration on phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) pomace
Authors: Azman Ezzat M. , House Alistair , Charalampopoulos Dimitris , Chatzifragkou Afroditi
Published: August 2020

This study examined the effect of dehydration on the phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) pomaces (DBP) subjected to hot air oven drying (HOD), industrial rotary drying (IRD) and freeze drying (FD). Temperature and residence time were evaluated for HOD, whereas air‐on and air‐off temperature, ratio of drum rotor speed to air speed and particle size were evaluated for IRD. The highest total anthocyanins (ATC) and flavonols (FLV) were obtained in particle size of> 5.0 mm using IRD at 475°C/97°C (air‐on/air‐off) and higher ratio of drum rotor speed to air speed. Smaller size particles were found susceptible to degradation due to high temperature and retention time applied in IRD, resulting in loss of phenolic compounds in DBP, and thus, HOD was deemed more suitable. Overall, drying method selection and parameters of operation are key in preserving the concentrations of individual HCA and FLV in DBP.
Therapeutic modulation of inflammasome pathways
Authors: Chauhan Dhruv , Vande Walle Lieselotte , Lamkanfi Mohamed
Published: August 2020

Inflammasomes are macromolecular complexes formed in response to pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that drive maturation of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐18, and cleave gasdermin D (GSDMD) for induction of pyroptosis. Inflammasomes are highly important in protecting the host from various microbial pathogens and sterile insults. Inflammasome pathways are strictly regulated at both transcriptional and post‐translational checkpoints. When these checkpoints are not properly imposed, undue inflammasome activation may promote inflammatory, metabolic and oncogenic processes that give rise to autoinflammatory, autoimmune, metabolic and malignant diseases. In addition to clinically approved IL‐1‐targeted biologics, upstream targeting of inflammasome pathways recently gained interest as a novel pharmacological strategy for selectively modulating inflammasome activation in pathological conditions.
Pathways between toothache and children's oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Rauber Everton Daniel , Menegazzo Gabriele Rissotto , Knorst Jessica Klöckner , Bolsson Gabriela Bohrer , Ardenghi Thiago Machado
Published: August 2020

Background

Toothache is considered a multifactorial health problem that is associated with oral diseases and comorbidities.

Aim

Evaluate the direct and indirect pathways between toothache and children's oral health‐related quality of life (COHRQoL).

Design

This is a cross‐sectional study conducted with a random sample of children from southern Brazil. The variables included demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, and oral health characteristics. Toothache was collected through the question 'Have you had toothache in the last 12 months?'. COHRQoL was collected by the Child Perceptions Questionnaire 8‐10 in his Brazilian version. The pathways between the associated variables, toothache, and COHRQoL were analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Results

A total of 449 schoolchildren were evaluated. The prevalence of toothache was 50.1% (95% confidence interval: 45.4%‐54.8%). The poorer COHRQoL was directly affected by the presence of toothache. Considering the indirect pathways, the low household income, high household crowding, low age, the use of public health service, and the untreated dental caries influenced indirectly in the worst COHRQoL via toothache.

Conclusion

This study determined that COHRQoL was directly influenced by toothache. Meanwhile, indirect pathways were observed. These findings justify initiatives that highlight the importance of the reduction of oral diseases that can lead to pain experiences.
Quantitative Results of Perfusion Utilising Hyperspectral Imaging on Non‐diabetics and Diabetics: A Pilot Study
Authors: Lee Christina J. , Walters Elliot , Kennedy Christopher J. , Beitollahi Ariya , Evans Karen K. , Attinger Christopher E. , Kim Paul J.
Published: August 2020

There is a paucity of quantitative measures of microvascular perfusion values in the skin. Newly developed, handheld hyperspectral imaging devices identify unique spectral fingerprints of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin in the superficial microvasculature. Establishing value ranges for healthy patients without vascular complications will subsequently help standardise assessments for perfusion defects. In particular, diabetics who are prone to vascular calcifications and lower extremity wounds may benefit. A total of 73 subjects were enrolled in the study and split in two cohorts: 36 ‘non‐diabetic’ non‐vascularly compromised patients and 37 ‘diabetic’ patients with a formal diagnosis of diabetes but without history of pedal ulceration. Values of oxygenated haemoglobin (HT‐Oxy) and deoxygenated haemoglobin (HT‐DeOxy) from both devices are analysed.
Systematic review of interventions to improve nurses’ work environments
Authors: Paguio Jenniffer Torralba , Yu Doris Sau Fung , Su Jing Jing
Published: August 2020

Aims

To evaluate the current evidence that examined the effects of nurses’ work environment interventions on nurse, patient, and hospital outcomes; and the key intervention characteristics.

Design

Quantitative systematic review without meta‐analysis.

Data Sources

Nine databases (British Nursing Index, CINAHL, EMBASE, Global Health, Global Health Archives, MEDLINE, Ovid Nursing, PubMed, and Web of Science) were searched following Systematic review Without Meta‐analysis guideline to elicit studies that examined effects of interventions aimed at improving nurses’ work environments among peer‐reviewed publications from inception to April 2019.

Methods

Database search used the following keywords: nurs*, patient, hospital, healthcare intervention, organizational improvement, nurs*adj4 outcome, patient adj4 outcome*, hospital adj4 outcome*, and their MeSH terms. The Cochrane's Risk of Bias in Non‐Randomized Studies of Intervention (ROBINS‐I) was used for quality appraisal. Donabedian model of Quality of Care was used as the framework to categorize interventions components focusing on structure and process aspects of the nurse work environments.

Results

The interventions included the use of accreditation process, educational strategies, and participatory approach. By defining the interventions which demonstrated positive effects on the nurse, patient, and hospital outcomes as effective, it appears that they are more consistently characterized as focusing on process improvement, adopting participatory approach, with greater involvement of frontline and nurse executives and at unit‐level implementation.

Conclusion

Although the heterogeneity in the design of the review studies precludes making conclusive insights on the best evidence to improve nurses’ work environments, the review informs the major research gaps in the topic area and the ways to design better interventions to enhance the outcomes.

Impact

The study provides insights on intervention components and strategies that can contribute to healthy nurse work environments. By adapting unit‐level process improvements that actively involve frontline and nurse executives, nurse leaders may provide a more directed approach towards achieving favourable outcomes.
ICAM‐1 and MKL‐1 polymorphisms impose considerable impacts on coronary heart disease occurrence
Authors: Wu Cungang , Huang Chao
Published: August 2020

This study was aimed to explore the correlation of intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) K469E and megakaryoblastic leukaemia factor‐1 (MKL‐1) −184C/T polymorphisms with the susceptibility to coronary heart disease (CHD) in the Chinese Han population. 100 CHD patients and 91 healthy people that had no blood connection with each other were enrolled in this case‐control study. ICAM‐1 and MKL‐1 polymorphisms were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) approach. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse the correlation between polymorphisms of ICAM‐1 and MKL‐1 and CHD susceptibility. Differences of genotype and allele frequencies of the two SNPs between case and control groups were analysed by chi‐square test. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were indicated relative susceptibility of CHD. The distributions of ICAM‐1 and MKL‐1 polymorphisms in each group conformed to Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). After adjusting for traditional risk factors, the TT genotype frequency of MKL‐1 −184C/T polymorphism was found significantly higher in case group than in control group (P < .05). Meanwhile, T allele frequency increased in case group compared with control group, and the differences had statistical significance (P = .04, OR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.34‐5.26). Logistic regression analysis in this study proved that smoking, hypertension, diabetes and triglyceride (TG) were all risk factors for CHD ICAM‐1 K469E polymorphism has no association with the onset of CHD. But MKL‐1 −184C/T polymorphism is associated with the risk of CHD and T allele might be a susceptibility factor for CHD.
Intersexual differences in density‐dependent dispersal and their evolutionary drivers
Authors: Plazio Elisa , Margol Tomasz , Nowicki Piotr
Published: August 2020

Dispersal is well recognized as a major driver of evolutionary processes in local populations. Nevertheless, dispersal abilities should also be perceived as a life‐history trait, being subject to evolutionary changes in response to various drivers. Empirical studies investigating these drivers rarely consider that they may influence male and female dispersal differently. The purpose of our study was to document intersexual differences in density‐dependent emigration from local habitat patches. As a model system, we used a metapopulation ofMaculinea (Phengaris) teleiusbutterfly, in which densities of both sexes vary greatly throughout the flying season. Following intensive mark–release–recapture surveys, the parameters and predictors of dispersal were analysed with the Virtual Migration model and the multi‐state recapture model. The emigration rate in males was substantially higher in the early season, especially at smaller habitat patches. With the proportion of females increasing with the season progression, males became reluctant to emigrate from their natal patches. In turn, higher female emigration in the later part of the season was most strongly associated with female tendency to reduce intraspecific competition experienced by their offspring. Our findings provide evidence for the impact of reproductive strategies on dispersal in both sexes. The difference in reproductive strategies of males and females explains sex‐biased dispersal in different parts of the season, which carries important implications for metapopulation functioning.