bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sublethal granulovirus infections in the tomato leafminer, Tuta absoluta: transmission and population‐level effects
Authors: Mariño Jorge , Rincon Diego F.
Published: July 2023

Granuloviruses are insect viruses commonly used as biological insecticides for pest control in agriculture. Most pest control programs rely on the most virulent strains and doses to cause acute mortality events. However, we hypothesize that sublethal infections are key to maintaining persistent epidemics that regulate pest populations in the long‐term. The tomato leafminer (TLM), Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (= Phthorimaea absoluta Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is one of the most limiting pests of greenhouse and field tomatoes. Previous efforts have identified a strain of Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV), coded VG013, associated with field populations of the TLM, which causes significant acute mortalities and is being used as active ingredient of a biological insecticide. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sublethal infections and transmission mechanisms of PhopGV‐VG013 on TLM populations. Six viral doses were tested for their virulence and effects on TLM development rate, and intrinsic population growth rate. A sublethal dose was selected to compare the density‐dependent mortality of TLM populations and vertical transmission was examined by testing for PhopGV in the offspring of surviving infected individuals. Horizontal transmission was assessed by testing for PhopGV in frass of infected larvae, and the infection of virus‐free larvae confined with infected larvae in the same leaf. We found that sublethal doses of PhopGV have slight effects on TLM population growth rates, and none on the strength of density‐dependent mortality. Although we found for the first time that PhopGV‐VG013 is transmitted to approximately 7.5% of the offspring of individuals that survive the virus challenge, we found no evidence suggesting horizontal transmission from sublethal infections. Our results show that sublethal infections of highly virulent ganulovirus strains may favor long‐term pathogen persistence but have a limited role in host population regulation.
Neurodevelopment of babies born to mothers with epilepsy: A prospective observational cohort study
Authors: Bromley Rebecca L. , Bullen Philip , Campbell Ellen , Craig John , Ingham Amy , Irwin Beth , Jackson Cerain , Kelly Teresa , Morrow James , Rushton Sarah , García‐Fiñana Marta , Hughes David M. , Winterbottom Janine , Wood Amanda , Yates Laura M. , Clayton‐Smith Jill ,   the NaME Study Group
Published: July 2023

Objective

Despite widespread monotherapy use of lamotrigine or levetiracetam during pregnancy, prospectively collected, blinded child development data are still limited. The NaME (Neurodevelopment of Babies Born to Mothers With Epilepsy) Study prospectively recruited a new cohort of women with epilepsy and their offspring for longitudinal follow‐up.

Methods

Pregnant women of <21 weeks gestation (n = 401) were recruited from 21 hospitals in the UK. Data collection occurred during pregnancy (recruitment, trimester 3) and at 12 and 24 months of age. The primary outcome was blinded assessment of infant cognitive, language, and motor development on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (3rd edition) at 24 months of age with supplementary parent reporting on the Vinelands Adaptive Behavior Scales (2nd edition).

Results

There were 394 live births, with 277 children (70%) completing the Bayley assessment at 24 months. There was no evidence of an association of prenatal exposure to monotherapy lamotrigine (−.74, SE = 2.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] = −6.5 to 5.0, p = .80) or levetiracetam (−1.57, SE = 3.1, 95% CI = −4.6 to 7.7, p = .62) with poorer infant cognition, following adjustment for other maternal and child factors in comparison to nonexposed children. Similar results were observed for language and motor scores. There was no evidence of an association between increasing doses of either lamotrigine or levetiracetam. Nor was there evidence that higher dose folic acid supplementation (≥5 mg/day) or convulsive seizure exposure was associated with child development scores. Continued infant exposure to antiseizure medications through breast milk was not associated with poorer outcomes, but the number of women breastfeeding beyond 3 months was low.

Significance

These data are reassuring for infant development following in utero exposure to monotherapy lamotrigine or levetiracetam, but child development is dynamic, and future follow‐up is required to rule out later emerging effects.
Parenting during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Insecure or unresolved attachment representation is a risk factor for harmful parenting behavior
Authors: Köhler‐Dauner Franziska , Ziegenhain Ute , Kipping Miriam , Mayer Inka , Fegert Jörg M. , Buchheim Anna
Published: July 2023

Background

The current COVID‐19‐pandemic confronted a large number of young families with stressors. For mothers with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM), the distress during the current pandemic added to their already increased risk for a less sensitive, maltreating parenting behavior.

Objective

This study aims to investigate whether maternal attachment representation mediates the relationship between maternal CM experiences and changes in parenting behavior during the pandemic.

Method

As a part of a longitudinal study, mothers' experiences of CM and their attachment status were assessed. For the present study, 92 mothers (mean age: 38.14 years, SD = 4.08; attachment representation: 36% secure, 64% insecure and unresolved) completed an online SARS‐CoV‐2‐pandemic survey assessing their parenting behavior since the beginning of the pandemic.

Results

The odds of an insecure maternal attachment representation in adulthood increased with higher levels of CM load. Mediation analyses revealed that maternal attachment representation fully explained the relationship between maternal CM load to changes in sensitive, endangering, and overall parenting quality.

Conclusions

CM has lasting effects on maternal adult attachment representations. Mothers' attachment representations contribute to a further understanding of intergenerational transmission mechanisms of CM later in adulthood through a more endangered parenting approach in challenging times.

Implications

The results of this study should be considered in the development of programs offered to families facing stressful circumstances. In particular, we recommend increased implementation of telephone‐ or web‐based programs.
Role of developmental pathways in disease
Authors: Derry W. Brent
Published: July 2023

Developmental programs are tightly regulated networks of molecular and cellular signaling pathways that orchestrate the formation and organization of tissues and organs during organismal development. However, these programs can be disrupted or activated in an untimely manner, or in the wrong tissues, and this can lead to a host of diseases. This aberrant re‐activation can occur due to a multitude of factors, including genetic mutations, environmental influences, or epigenetic modifications. Consequently, cells may undergo abnormal growth, differentiation, or migration, leading to structural abnormalities or functional impairments at the tissue or organismal level. This Subject Collection of The FEBS Journal on Developmental Pathways in Disease highlights 11 reviews and three research articles that cover a broad array of topics focused on the role of signaling pathways critical for normal development that are deregulated in human disease.
Sentimental Sustainability: Does What Companies Say Tell More Than What Companies Do?
Authors: Ignatov Konstantin , Rudolf Markus
Published: July 2023

Based on a sample of more than eleven thousand unique 10‐K reports of US companies filed with SEC in period 2013 to 2018, this study examines the relationship between actual sustainability performance of companies, evaluated by MSCI ESG performance scores, and the extent and the scope of environmental, social, and governance information disclosure in their annual reports. The study shows empirical evidence supporting the signalling theory view of voluntary disclosure of ESG information in annual reports for most industries, while environmentally unfriendly companies belonging to the Mining industry division show excessive reporting behavior favoring environmental topics, which is consistent with incentives to improve public image and mitigate social, political, and legal risks in line with the legitimacy theory of information disclosure. When differentiating between forward‐looking and non‐forward‐looking ESG statements, the study shows that companies providing more forward‐looking ESG information in annual reports show better next‐year ESG performance. This study implements established content analysis techniques with focus on ESG reporting and performance, building up on the study of Baier, Berninger, and Kiesel (2020) that proposed an ESG‐tailored dictionary for textual analysis purposes.
The impact of early adversity and education on genetic and brain morphological predictors of cognitive ability
Authors: Corley Emma , Fahey Laura , Fitzgerald Joan , Holleran Laurena , Walton Esther , Morris Derek W. , Donohoe Gary
Published: July 2023

Cognitive ability is a strong predictor of occupational achievement, quality of life and physical health. While variation in cognition is strongly heritable and has been robustly associated with early environment and brain morphology, little is known about how these factors combine and interact to explain this variation in cognition. To address this, we modelled the relationship between common genetic variation, grey matter volume, early life adversity and education and cognitive ability in a UK Biobank sample ofN = 5237 individuals using structural equation modelling. We tested the hypotheses that total grey matter volume would mediate the association between genetic variation and cognitive ability, and that early life adversity and educational attainment would moderate this relationship. Common genetic variation, grey matter volume and early life adversity were each significant predictors in the model, explaining ~15% of variation in cognitive ability. Contrary to our hypothesis, grey matter volume did not mediate the relation between genetic variation and cognition performance. Neither did early life adversity or educational attainment moderate this relation, although educational attainment was observed to moderate the relationship between grey matter volume and cognitive performance. We interpret these findings in terms of the modest explanatory value of currently estimated polygenic scores accounting for variation in cognitive performance (~5%), making potential mediating and moderating variables difficult to confirm.
CHRONOCENOSIS: HOW TO IMAGINE THE MULTIPLICITY OF TEMPORALITIES WITHOUT LOSING THE EMPHASIS ON POWER AND CONFLICTS
Authors: Pernau Margrit
Published: July 2023

The twentieth century witnessed the historicization of the categories of time and space. Instead of functioning as a universal category, moving from the past to the present and from the present to the future, time has multiplied into temporalities, and historians have looked for adequate metaphors to describe this multiplicity, its many ways of moving forward and backward, its acceleration and decelerations, its entanglements, and its conflicts and struggles for hegemony. The editors of Power and Time: Temporalities in Conflict and the Making of History offer a thought‐provoking concept by translating biocenosis, the coexistence of different species in the same environment, to time studies and thus using the term “chronocenosis” to refer to different temporalities sharing the same embattled space. The volume covers a large variety of case studies—ranging from early modern Chinese historical novels to attempts to bring together social and biological time in the discussion of the Anthropocene—and draws together disciplines that are not usually discussed in studies of temporalities, disciplines ranging from law to the history of science.
Periradicular surgery: A longitudinal registry study of 10‐year outcomes and factors predictive of post‐surgical extraction
Authors: de Almeida Fernando José Mota , Dawson Victoria S. , Kvist Thomas , Frisk Fredrik , Bjørndal Lars , Isberg Per‐Erik ,   EndoReCo, Fransson Helena
Published: July 2023

Aim

This historical prospective cohort study of the adult population of Sweden is based on data from a national registry: the primary aim was to evaluate the long‐term survival of teeth after periradicular surgery. A secondary aim was to identify factors predictive of extraction within 10 years of registration of periradicular surgery.

Methodology

The cohort consisted of all individuals who had undergone periradicular surgery to treat apical periodontitis, as reported to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) in 2009. The cohort was followed until 31 December 2020. Subsequent registrations of extractions were collected for Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and survival tables. The patients' sex, age, dental service provider and tooth group were also retrieved from SSIA. Only one tooth per individual was included in the analyses. Multivariable regression analysis was used and p < .05 was considered statistically significant. The reporting guidelines STROBE and PROBE were followed.

Results

After data cleaning, and exclusion of 157 teeth, 5622 teeth/individuals remained for analysis. The mean age of the individuals at the time of the periradicular surgery was 60.5 years (range 20–97, standard deviation 13.31); 55% were women. At the end of the follow‐up, that is, up to 12 years, a total of 34.1% of the teeth had been reported as extracted. The multivariate logistic regression analysis, based on follow‐up data at 10 years after registration of the periradicular surgery, included 5548 teeth, of which 1461 (26.3%) had been extracted. Significant associations between the independent variables tooth group and dental care setting (both p < .001) and the dependent variable extraction were found. The highest odds ratio (OR) for extraction applied to tooth group: compared to maxillary incisors and canines, mandibular molars were at greatest risk of extraction (OR 2.429, confidence interval 1.975–2.987, p < .001).

Conclusions

After periradicular surgery in predominantly elderly people in Sweden, approximately three‐quarters of the teeth are retained over a 10‐year period. The type of tooth is associated with extraction: mandibular molars are at greater risk of extraction than maxillary incisors and canines.
MicroRNA‐4691‐3p inhibits the inflammatory response by targeting STING in human dental pulp cells: A laboratory investigation
Authors: Tian Xinxin , Zhang Ping , Liu Fei , Yang Lijie , Fu Kun , Gan Kang , Liu Chao
Published: July 2023

Aim

The regulation of human dental pulp inflammation is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of miR‐4691‐3p on the cGAS–STING signalling cascade and its downstream cytokines production in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

Methodology

Normal dental pulp tissue and pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis from third molars were collected. HDPCs were isolated from pulp tissue. The expression of STING mRNA and miR‐4691‐3p was measured by quantitative real‐time PCR. Bioinformatic computation via TargetScanHuman 8.0 and a luciferase reporter assay was used to identify the targets of miR‐4691‐3p. A miR‐4691‐3p mimic and inhibitor were used to upregulate or downregulate miR‐4691‐3p expression in HDPCs. HDPCs were transfected with c‐di‐AMP, c‐di‐GMP, cGAMP, interferon stimulatory DNA (ISD) and bacterial genomic DNA. Immunoblot was performed to detect the phosphorylation of TBK1, p65 and IRF3. Enzyme‐linked immunoassay was performed to detect the cytokines including IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 downstream of cGAS–STING.

Results

MiR‐4691‐3p expression was increased in human dental pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis. Treatment of HDPCs using recombinant human IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 also upregulated miR‐4691‐3p. The bioinformatic prediction and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that STING was a direct target of miR‐4691‐3p. The miR‐4691‐3p mimic suppressed STING expression, the phosphorylation of TBK1, p65 and IRF3, and the IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 production. In contrast, the miR‐4691‐3p inhibitor enhanced the STING expression, the phosphorylation of TBK1, p65 and IRF3 and the IFN‐β, TNF or IL‐6 production.

Conclusions

MiR‐4691‐3p negatively regulates the cGAS–STING pathway by directly targeting STING. This provides insight to utilize miRNA‐dependent regulatory effect to treat endodontic disease as well as STING‐dependent systemic inflammatory disease.
HOUSEHOLD INVENTORY, TEMPORARY SALES, PRICE INDICES
Authors: Ueda Kozo , Watanabe Kota , Watanabe Tsutomu
Published: July 2023

This study addresses the large bias in chained price indices that persists even at lower frequencies. The bias arises from intertemporal substitution caused by consumer hoarding, and is problematic for purchase‐based data. In order to resolve this issue, we propose a method for calculating changes in inventories and consumption using retailer scanner data. We construct a partial equilibrium model to estimate inventories and consumption and show that the model accurately predicts the sign and size of the bias. We also demonstrate that the bias is smaller for consumption‐based data and propose a particular type of price index that eliminates intertemporal substitution bias.
When East meets West: A practitioner inquiry of culturally responsive pedagogy in an Australian Chinese as a Foreign Language classroom
Authors: Xu Wen
Published: July 2023

A nuanced description of “what” (the curriculum) and “how” (the pedagogy) to teach in Chinese as a Foreign Language (CFL) education remains unexplored in existing scholarship. This paper addresses this paucity by undertaking a practitioner inquiry to explore the intersection of Eastern pedagogy and Western students in an Australian CFL classroom, with the aim of improving classroom practice and enhancing low socio‐economic status (SES) students’ learning experiences. Ten language lessons were segmented into phases and analyzed within the parameter of classification and framing theorized by Bernstein. An analysis of research journals and students’ focus groups shows culturally responsive pedagogy integrating constructivist and traditional Chinese approaches to teaching has the potential of inducting underprivileged students into knowledge about curriculum and language, providing them with linguistic capital and high aspirations for the future. Pedagogically, this article offers insights for CFL teachers to mediate Chinese and Western teaching beliefs and education schemas; practically, the findings glimpse the ways in which CFL education can be discursively constructed as a cultural agenda that (re)shapes the educational experiences of underprivileged students and mobilizes them into critical hopes that can be acted upon. This paper has important implications for foreign language theory building and for responding to the “back to basics” curriculum approach in schools serving disadvantaged communities.
Review on microalgae protein and its current and future utilisation in the food industry
Authors: Bhatnagar Pooja , Gururani Prateek , Singh Narpinder , Gautam Pankaj , Vlaskin Mikhail S. , Kumar Vinod
Published: July 2023

Microalgae, the photosynthetic microorganisms, open novel commercial opportunities for developing new products because of their abundance in protein, carbohydrates, pigments, vitamins and minerals. These microorganisms possess several advantages such as rapid growth, minimal land and water requirements and adaptability to various environmental conditions. As concerns arise regarding the ability of animal and plant‐based sources to meet future protein demands, researchers have turned their attention to microalgae like Spirulina and Chlorella for various applications. Microalgae typically contain around 30% protein and in case of few cyanobacteria it can reach up to 55%–60%, surpassing the protein content of conventional sources. Numerous studies have investigated the utilisation of algal biomass to enhance the protein content of a wide range of food products, including cookies, bread, yoghurt, snacks, dairy alternatives and soups. This comprehensive review aims to provide a systematic exploration of microalgae protein and its current and future utilisation in the food industry.
Multicentre verification of haematology laboratory blood collection tubes during a global blood collection tube shortage
Authors: Nell Erica‐Mari , Bailly Jenique , Oelofse Diana , Linström Michael , Opie Jessica , Chapanduka Zivanai Cuthbert , Vreede Helena , Korf Marizna
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Verification of blood collection tubes is essential for clinical laboratories. The aim of this study was to assess performance of candidate tubes from four alternative suppliers for routine diagnostic haematology testing during an impending global shortage of blood collection tubes.

Methods

A multicentre verification study was performed in Cape Town, South Africa. Blood from 300 healthy volunteers was collected into K2EDTA and sodium citrate tubes of BD Vacutainer® comparator tubes and one of four candidate tubes (Vacucare, Vacuette®, V‐TUBE™ and Vacutest®). A technical verification was performed, which included tube physical properties and safety. Routine haematology testing was performed for clinical verification.

Results

Vacucare tubes did not have a fill‐line indicator, Vacuette® tubes had external blood contamination on the caps post‐venesection and Vacutest® tubes had hard rubber stoppers. K2EDTA tubes of Vacuette®, Vacucare and Vacutest® performed similarly to the comparator. Unacceptable constant bias was seen for PT in Vacucare (95% CI −2.38 to −0.10), Vacutest® (95% CI −1.91 to −0.49) and Vacuette® (95% CI 0.10–1.84) tubes and for aPTT in Vacuette® (95% CI 0.22–2.00) and V‐TUBE™ (95% CI −2.88 to −0.44). Unacceptable %bias was seen for aPTT in Vacucare (95% CI 2.78–4.59) and Vacutest® tubes (95% CI 2.53–3.82; desirable ±2.30), and in V‐TUBE™ for mean cell volume (95% CI 1.15–1.47, desirable ±0.95%) and mean cell haemoglobin concentration (95% CI −1.65 to −0.93, desirable ±0.43%).

Conclusion

Blood collection tubes introduce variability to routine haematology results. We recommend that laboratories use one brand of tube. Verification of new candidate tubes should be performed to ensure consistency and reliable reporting of results.
Influences of risk‐aversion behavior and purchasing option in a cross‐border dual‐channel supply chain
Authors: Chen Xue , Li Bo , Song Dongping , Wang Minxue
Published: July 2023

Considering the rapid development of cross‐border e‐commerce, this paper constructs a cross‐border dual‐channel supply chain with a supplier and a retailer in different countries. The supplier directly sells products to overseas market through an online channel and a retail channel. Since the supplier expands the overseas market and bears the potential risk of exchange rate volatility, the supplier is risk‐averse. In the presence of exchange rate volatility, the risk‐averse supplier decides whether to purchase an option to hedge against the risk of exchange rate volatility. Conditional value at risk is applied as a measure of the supplier's risk‐averse behavior. To identify the conditions under which the risk‐averse supplier should purchase an option, we analyze two scenarios: the benchmark model and the option model. By comparing the benchmark model with the option model, we show that if the option premium is lower than a threshold, the risk‐averse supplier prefers to purchase an option, which also makes the retailer better off. Interestingly, when the supplier becomes less risk‐averse, as the exchange rate volatility increases, both players benefit a higher utility in the option model. Finally, we verify the results’ robustness using numerical analysis.
Research Review: Siblings matter. A multi‐level meta‐analysis on the association between cannabis use among adolescent siblings
Authors: Defoe Ivy N. , Treffers Sanne , Stams Geert Jan
Published: July 2023

Background

Parents' and peers' cannabis use are well‐documented predictors of youth cannabis use, however, relatively little is known about the influence of siblings' cannabis use. Hence, this meta‐analysis investigated the association between sibling‐youth cannabis use (disorder) and explored moderation by sibling type (monozygotic‐ vs. dizygotic‐ vs. non‐twins), age, age spacing, birth order, gender, and gender constellations (same‐ vs. mix‐ gender pairs). When comparison data of parents' and peers' cannabis use (disorder) were also available in the included studies, separate meta‐analyses on associations between parent‐youth and peer‐youth cannabis use (disorder) were additionally conducted.

Methods

Studies were selected if they included 11‐ to 24‐year‐old participants, and investigated associations between cannabis use (disorder) among those youth and their siblings. These studies were retrieved via a search in seven databases (e.g., PsychINFO). A multi‐level meta‐analysis using a random effects model was performed on the studies, and heterogeneity analyses and moderator analyses were also conducted. PRISMA guidelines were followed.

Results

We retrieved 20 studies (most of which originated from Western cultures) with 127 effect sizes for the main sibling‐youth meta‐analysis and found a large overall effect‐size (r = .423), implying that youth had higher cannabis use rates when their sibling used cannabis, and this association was stronger for monozygotic twins and for same‐gender sibling pairs. Finally, a medium effect size existed for the associations between parent‐youth cannabis use (r = .300) and a large effect size for peer‐youth cannabis use (r = .451).

Conclusions

Youth are more likely to use cannabis when their siblings use cannabis. This sibling‐youth cannabis use association existed for all sibling constellations, was larger than the association between parent‐youth cannabis use, and was similar in magnitude compared to the association between peer‐youth cannabis use—suggesting both genetic and environmental influences (e.g., social‐learning) between siblings. Hence, it is important not to neglect sibling influences when treating youth cannabis use (disorder).
Children with maltreatment exposure exhibit rumination‐like spontaneous thought patterns: association with symptoms of depression, subcallosal cingulate cortex thickness, and cortisol levels
Authors: Hoffmann Ferdinand , Linz Roman , Steinbeis Nikolaus , Bauer Martin , Dammering Felix , Lazarides Claudia , Klawitter Heiko , Bentz Lea , Entringer Sonja , Winter Sibylle M. , Buss Claudia , Heim Christine
Published: July 2023

Background

Childhood maltreatment is associated with pervasive risk for depression. However, the immediate cognitive and neural mechanisms that mediate this risk during development are unknown. We here studied the impact of maltreatment on self‐generated thought (SGT) patterns and their association with depressive symptoms, subcallosal cingulate cortex (SCC) thickness, and cortisol levels in children.

Methods

We recruited 183 children aged 6–12 years, 96 of which were exposed to maltreatment. Children performed a mind wandering task to elicit SGTs. A subgroup of children underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging (N = 155) for SCC thickness analyses and saliva collection for quantification of free cortisol concentrations (N = 126) was collected. Using network analysis, we assessed thought networks and compared these networks between children with and without maltreatment exposure. Using multilevel analyses, we then tested the association between thought networks of children with maltreatment exposure with depressive symptoms, SCC thickness, and cortisol levels.

Results

Children exposed to maltreatment generated fewer positively valenced thoughts. Network analysis revealed rumination‐like thought patterns in children with maltreatment exposure, which were associated with depressive symptoms, SCC thickness, and cortisol levels. Children with maltreatment exposure further exhibited decreased future‐self thought coupling, which was associated with depressive symptoms, while other‐related and past‐oriented thoughts had the greatest importance within the network.

Conclusions

Using a novel network analytic approach, we provide evidence that children exposed to maltreatment exhibit ruminative clustering of thoughts, which is associated with depressive symptoms and neurobiological correlates of depression. Our results provide a specific target for clinical translation to design early interventions for middle childhood. Targeting thought patterns in children with maltreatment exposure may be an effective strategy to effectively mitigate depression risk early in life.
Hepatitis C treatment and long‐term outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after resection
Authors: Cheng Hou‐Ying , Hu Rey‐Heng , Hsiao Chih‐Yang , Ho Ming‐Chih , Wu Yao‐Ming , Lee Po‐Huang , Ho Cheng‐Maw
Published: July 2023

Background and Aim

This study aimed to investigate the survival outcomes of antiviral agents (direct‐acting antivirals [DAAs] or interferon [IFN]) in patients with hepatitis C virus who underwent liver resection for primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

This retrospective single‐center study included 247 patients, between 2013 and 2020, being treated with DAAs (n = 93), IFN (n = 73), or no treatment (n = 81). Overall survival (OS), recurrence‐free survival (RFS), and risk factors were analyzed.

Results

After a median follow‐up time of 50.4 months, the rates of 5‐year OS and RFS in the IFN, DAA, and no treatment groups were 91.5% and 55.4%, 87.2% and 39.8%, and 60.9% and 26.7%, respectively. One hundred and twenty‐eight (51.6%) patients developed recurrence; recurrence was mostly (86.7%) intrahepatic, and 58 (23.4%) developed early recurrence, most of which received no antiviral treatment. The OS and RFS were similar between patients who received antiviral treatment before (50.0%) and after surgery, but longer survival was observed in patients achieving sustained virologic response. In multivariate analysis, antiviral treatment was protective for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.475, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.242–0.933) with significance but not RFS, in contrast to microvascular invasion (OS HR 3.389, 95% CI: 1.637–7.017; RFS HR 2.594, 95% CI: 1.520–4.008). In competing risk analysis, DAAs (subdistribution HR 0.086, 95% CI: 0.007–0.991) were protective against hepatic decompensation events but not recurrence events.

Conclusion

In patients with hepatitis C virus, antiviral treatment suggested OS benefit for primary hepatocellular carcinoma after resection, and DAAs might be protective against hepatic decompensation. Following adjustment for oncological factors, IFN and DAA treatment was not significantly advantageous relative to the other.
Physical activity, quality of diet and bone mineral density in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Ratajczak‐Pawłowska Alicja E. , Michalak Michał , Szymczak‐Tomczak Aleksandra , Rychter Anna Maria , Zawada Agnieszka , Skoracka Kinga , Dobrowolska Agnieszka , Krela‐Kaźmierczak Iwona
Published: July 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to find an association between moderate, vigorous and total physical activity (PA); diet quality; and bone mineral density (BMD) among patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods

We enrolled 54 IBD patients, including those with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and 24 healthy adults. All subjects completed the Questionnaire of Eating Behaviour based on which prohealthy and nonhealthy diet indexes were calculated, and the questionnaire included questions from the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Prohealthy and nonhealthy diet indexes were divided into low‐, medium‐ and high scores. BMD and T‐ and Z‐scores of the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and femoral neck (FN) were assessed using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry method.

Results

BMD, T‐ and Z‐scores of the FN and the Z‐score of L1–L4 were significantly lower among patients with CD and UC than healthy controls. We did not find any differences in the time of PA among CD, UC and control groups (CG). The prohealthy diet index was higher among healthy subjects than the CD and UC groups. The nonhealthy diet index was lower among UC patients compared with the CG or CD patients. Prohealthy diet index positively correlated with BMD and T‐ and Z‐scores of L1–L4 and FN in IBD. The prohealthy diet index correlated negatively with C‐reactive protein and positively with body mass index. The prohealthy diet index correlated only with total PA in the CD group.

Conclusion

A well‐balanced diet and proper PA may decrease the risk of osteoporosis in IBD, so education of patients referring to nutrition and PA is needed.
Treatment of acne in the aesthetic patient: A round table update
Authors: Fabi Sabrina Guillen , Beleznay Katie , Berson Diane S. , Cohen Joel L. , Lee Sandra , Dayan Steven H.
Published: July 2023

Background

The popularity of social media appears to be increasing the acceptance of cosmetic treatments, prompting more consumers to seek cosmetic treatments. As the estimated prevalence of acne vulgaris among adult women may be as high as 54%, acne is commonly observed among patients presenting for cosmetic treatments. Concomitant treatment of acne in the aesthetic patient population will improve overall clinical outcomes.

Aims

The goal of this work was to deliver a high‐quality ethical and evidence‐based educational program to physicians and adjunctive health care providers to advance patient care.

Methods

This paper is based on a webcam presentation with roundtable discussion by several notable experts in their field.

Results

A range of topical medications, injectable products, chemical peels, and energy‐based devices are available for treating acne vulgaris. In most instances, these are compatible with rejuvenation procedures in the aesthetic patient.

Conclusion

The growth of social media is raising awareness of aesthetic procedures and appears to be increasing the number of patients seeking aesthetic treatment. Educating patients about the importance of treating acne vulgaris can improve overall treatment outcomes. In most instances, the presence of acne is not a barrier to aesthetic care.
A Structural Empirical Model of R&D, Firm Heterogeneity, and Industry Evolution*
Authors: Chen Yanyou , Xu Daniel Yi
Published: July 2023

This article develops and estimates an industry equilibrium model of the Korean electric motor industry from 1991 to 1996. Plant‐level decisions on R&D, physical capital investment, entry, and exit are integrated in a dynamic setting with knowledge spillovers. We apply the novel approximation of oblivious equilibrium to estimate the R&D cost, magnitude of knowledge spillovers, adjustment costs of physical investment, and plant scrap value distribution. Knowledge spillovers are essential to explaining the firm‐level productivity evolution and the equilibrium market configuration. A R&D subsidy maximizes industry output and is broadly consistent with a past policy initiative of the Korean government.
Platform Investment and price parity clauses*
Authors: Wang Chengsi , Wright Julian
Published: July 2023

Platforms use price parity clauses to prevent sellers setting lower prices when selling through other channels. They claim these restraints are needed so platforms have incentives to invest in providing search services—without them, consumers would search on the platform but then switch to buy in a cheaper channel. In a model incorporating these effects, we find that wide price parity clauses lead to excessive platform investment while narrow (or no) price parity clauses lead to insufficient platform investment. Taking these investment effects into account, wide price parity clauses lower consumer surplus but have ambiguous effects on total welfare.
Dietary omega‐3 fatty acids in the management of feline periodontal disease: What is the evidence?
Authors: Magalhães Tomás R. , Corbee Ronald J. , Queiroga Felisbina L. , Lourenço Ana L.
Published: July 2023

Periodontal disease is an oral disorder with high prevalence in cats from 2 years of age, resulting from an inflammatory response against bacterial plaque. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include dental scaling, local application of perioceutics, tissue regeneration and/or even tooth extraction and periodontal surgery. As multimodal therapy is often required, new strategies have been developed to improve the therapeutic response in these patients. Adjuvant use of omega‐3 fatty acids has been reported in humans with periodontal disease, but the current evidence of its effect in companion animals, especially cats, is still considered to be scarce and conflicting. This review describes the state of the art regarding feline periodontal disease and seeks to clarify the potential effect of omega‐3 fatty acids on its clinical management in light of the evidence available in the current literature.
Detection of preceding sleep apnea using ECG spectrogram during CPAP titration night: A novel machine‐learning and bag‐of‐features framework
Authors: Linh Tran Thanh Duy , Trang Nguyen Thi Hoang , Lin Shang‐Yang , Wu Dean , Liu Wen‐Te , Hu Chaur‐Jong
Published: July 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has a heavy health‐related burden on patients and the healthcare system. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is effective in treating OSA, but adherence to it is often inadequate. A promising solution is to detect sleep apnea events in advance, and to adjust the pressure accordingly, which could improve the long‐term use of CPAP treatment. The use of CPAP titration data may reflect a similar response of patients to therapy at home. Our study aimed to develop a machine‐learning algorithm using retrospective electrocardiogram (ECG) data and CPAP titration to forecast sleep apnea events before they happen. We employed a support vector machine (SVM), k‐nearest neighbour (KNN), decision tree (DT), and linear discriminative analysis (LDA) to detect sleep apnea events 30–90 s in advance. Preprocessed 30 s segments were time–frequency transformed to spectrograms using continuous wavelet transform, followed by feature generation using the bag‐of‐features technique. Specific frequency bands of 0.5–50 Hz, 0.8–10 Hz, and 8–50 Hz were also extracted to detect the most detected band. Our results indicated that SVM outperformed KNN, LDA, and DT across frequency bands and leading time segments. The 8–50 Hz frequency band gave the best accuracy of 98.2%, and a F1‐score of 0.93. Segments 60 s before sleep events seemed to exhibit better performance than other pre‐OSA segments. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of detecting sleep apnea events in advance using only a single‐lead ECG signal at CPAP titration, making our proposed framework a novel and promising approach to managing obstructive sleep apnea at home.
Dietary conditioning on aphids and conspecific eggs in the ladybirdMenochilus sexmaculatusFabricius influences cannibalistic food choices in subsequent generations
Authors: Yadav T. , Omkar  , Mishra G.
Published: July 2023

Menochilus sexmaculatus, a generalist aphidophagous ladybird beetle, is one of the potential biocontrol agents of multiple aphid species. This beetle exhibits cannibalism among different life stages. A laboratory experiment was conducted by conditioning the larvae and adults on their natural prey that is aphids, or the conspecific eggs for five generations to assess whether cannibalism was affected by prior cannibalistic experiences or not. Adults of the fifth generation were provided with a choice of aphids and eggs. The time of first prey encounter and prey first encountered along with latency to consume prey and prey first consumed were recorded. Non‐cannibalistic individuals preferred aphids over eggs, while cannibalistic individuals showed no preference. The time of first prey encounter and consumption were similar for aphids and eggs irrespective of the diet they were reared on. To assess the long‐term effects, offspring developmental duration and body weight were recorded across generations. Similar developmental duration of immature stages was recorded in the first and second generations of cannibalistic and non‐cannibalistic lines; however, prolonged developmental duration was recorded in cannibalistic lines when compared with non‐cannibalistic ones of later generations. Offspring of later generations developed faster in both lines. The offspring body weight of the second and fourth generations of both lines was found to be similar. However, a decline in body weight was recorded in cannibalistic offspring of the first, third and fifth generations when compared with non‐cannibalistic ones. A decline in the body weight of offspring across generations was observed in both lines. The findings suggest thatM. sexmaculatusrearing diet influences its preference for prey and that long‐term dietary conditioning can affect different fitness components. This could potentially reduce their effectiveness in biocontrol.
Axon guidance molecules in liver pathology: Journeys on a damaged passport
Authors: Chicherova Ievgeniia , Hernandez Charlotte , Mann Fanny , Zoulim Fabien , Parent Romain
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

The liver is an innervated organ that develops a variety of chronic liver disease (CLD). Axon guidance cues (AGCs), of which ephrins, netrins, semaphorins and slits are the main representative, are secreted or membrane‐bound proteins that can attract or repel axons through interactions with their growth cones that contain receptors recognizing these messengers. While fundamentally implicated in the physiological development of the nervous system, the expression of AGCs can also be reinduced under acute or chronic conditions, such as CLD, that necessitate redeployment of neural networks.

Methods

This review considers the ad hoc literature through the neglected canonical neural function of these proteins that is also applicable to the diseased liver (and not solely their observed parenchymal impact).

Results

AGCs impact fibrosis regulation, immune functions, viral/host interactions, angiogenesis, and cell growth, both at the CLD and HCC levels. Special attention has been paid to distinguishing correlative and causal data in such datasets in order to streamline data interpretation. While hepatic mechanistic insights are to date limited, bioinformatic evidence for the identification of AGCs mRNAs positive cells, protein expression, quantitative regulation, and prognostic data have been provided. Liver‐pertinent clinical studies based on the US Clinical Trials database are listed. Future research directions derived from AGC targeting are proposed.

Conclusion

This review highlights frequent implication of AGCs in CLD, linking traits of liver disorders and the local autonomic nervous system. Such data should contribute to diversifying current parameters of patient stratification and our understanding of CLD.
The rejection game
Authors: Incurvati Luca , Sbardolini Giorgio
Published: July 2023

We introduce the rejection game, designed to formalize the interaction between interlocutors in a Stalnakerian conversation: a speaker who asserts something and a listener who may accept or reject. The rejection game is similar to other signalling games known to the literature in economics and biology. We point out similarities and differences, and propose an application in linguistics. We uncover basic conditions under which the Gricean maxim of quality emerges from incentives among the players, providing evidence for a functionalist understanding of the Gricean program.
Transcriptome features of stone cell development in weevil‐resistant and susceptible Sitka spruce
Authors: Whitehill Justin G. A. , Yuen Macaire M. S. , Chiang Angela , Ritland Carol E. , Bohlmann Jörg
Published: July 2023

Stone cells are a specialized, highly lignified cell type found in both angiosperms and gymnosperms. In conifers, abundance of stone cells in the cortex provides a robust constitutive physical defense against stem feeding insects. Stone cells are a major insect‐resistance trait in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), occurring in dense clusters in apical shoots of trees resistant (R) to spruce weevil (Pissodes strobi) but being rare in susceptible (S) trees.

To learn more about molecular mechanisms of stone cell formation in conifers, we used laser microdissection and RNA sequencing to develop cell‐type‐specific transcriptomes of developing stone cells from R and S trees. Using light, immunohistochemical, and fluorescence microscopy, we also visualized the deposition of cellulose, xylan, and lignin associated with stone cell development.

A total of 1293 genes were differentially expressed at higher levels in developing stone cells relative to cortical parenchyma. Genes with potential roles in stone cell secondary cell wall formation (SCW) were identified and their expression evaluated over a time course of stone cell formation in R and S trees.

The expression of several transcriptional regulators was associated with stone cell formation, including a NAC family transcription factor and several genes annotated as MYB transcription factors with known roles in SCW formation.
Revisiting Pontoppidan: Sentiment analysis and topic modelling on ‘Eagle's Flight’
Authors: Vlachos Evgenios , Husen Kamilla Jensen
Published: July 2023

Our aim is to examine the evolution of Henrik Pontoppidan's authorship by comparing the five different editions that exist of his short story ‘Eagle's Flight’ (‘Ørneflugt’), as well as enriching the understanding of the story. We attempt to validate the existing views of ‘Eagle's Flight’ based on classic literary analysis (qualitative part) by approaching them from a different perspective, that of digital text analysis (quantitative part). The digital analysis focuses on sentiment analysis and topic modelling as ways of discovering differences in the same story across different versions. We have chosen this story as it is relatively easy and quite fast to read, allowing the reader to validate (or not) the output of the machine learning algorithms on their own. We test whether these techniques can be applied in a Danish literature context, and how they further contribute to the analysis and understanding of the literature. Our findings suggest that the methods complement each other and point in the same direction, that Pontoppidan has changed his way of writing during the time of the authorship from a Romantic towards a more Pragmatic style. Our approach can be applied to the works of any author.