bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability in activity differs between castes in the ant Linepithema humile
Authors: Sanmartín‐Villar Iago , Csata Enikő , Jeanson Raphaël
Published: July 2021

1. The study of behavioural variability has a long research tradition in social insects. Because of their contribution to division of labour, between‐individual variations have been mostly studied within the worker caste. In contrast, the level of behavioural variation between queens has been much less studied.

2. In ants, a high level of behavioural variability could contribute to the ecological success of invasive species by favouring the colonisation of new environments.

3. In the invasive ant species Linepithema humile (Mayr), we used a standardised test to assess plasticity and predictability in activity level between workers and queens.

4. We found that only queens, not workers, displayed between‐individual variability in plasticity.

5. We propose that the behavioural variability of queens could be an asset favouring the adaptation of invasive ant species to changing environments.
Clinical and psychological correlates of insight dimensions in patients with early psychosis
Authors: Kam Tze Kwan , Lui Tsz Ting , Lau Fu Chun , Chan Kit Wa , Lee Ho Ming , Hui Lai Ming , Suen Yi Nam , Lui Sai Yu , Chen Eric , Chang Wing Chung
Published: July 2021

Aim

To investigate correlates of insight dimensions in Chinese adult patients with early psychosis.

Methods

Insight dimensions including awareness of mental disorder (AMD), illness consequences (AIC) and medication effect (AME) were measured. A wide array of variables encompassing demographics, premorbid adjustment, onset profiles, symptomatology, treatment characteristics and psychological factors were comprehensively assessed.

Results

Of 130 participants, 53.1%, 47.7% and 56.2% were categorized with good AMD, AIC and AME, respectively. Good AMD was associated with female gender, fewer positive and disorganization symptoms, more severe depression and greater self‐stigma. Good AIC was related to female gender, more severe depression and greater self‐stigma. Younger age of onset, fewer positive symptoms and greater service satisfaction associated with good AME.

Conclusions

Poor insight is prevalent in early psychosis. Differential relationships of insight dimensions with other illness variables underscore the importance of multidimensional approach in insight evaluation, and suggest potential treatment target for insight enhancement.
Asymmetric left–right hippocampal glutamatergic modulation of cognitive control in ApoE‐isoform subjects is unrelated to neuroinflammation
Authors: Zhang Hui , Chiu Pui Wai , Ip Isaac , Liu Tianyin , Wong Gloria Hoi Yan , Song You‐Qiang , Wong Savio Wai Ho , Herrup Karl , Mak Henry Ka Fung
Published: July 2021

The glutamatergic cycle is essential in modulating memory processing by the hippocampal circuitry. Our combined proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) and task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study (using face‐name paired‐associates encoding and retrieval task) of a cognitively normal cohort of 67 healthy adults (18 ApoE4 carriers and 49 non‐ApoE4 carriers) found altered patterns of relationships between glutamatergic‐modulated synaptic signalling and neuronal activity or functional hyperaemia in the ApoE4 isoforms. Our study highlighted the asymmetric left–right hippocampal glutamatergic system in modulating neuronal activities in ApoE4 carriers versus non‐carriers. Such brain differentiation might be developmental cognitive advantages or compensatory due to impaired synaptic integrity and plasticity in ApoE4 carriers. As there was no difference in myoinositol levels measured by MRS between the ApoE4 and non‐ApoE4 subgroups, the mechanism is unlikely to be a response to neuroinflammation.
Cholinergic transmission from the basal forebrain modulates social memory in male mice
Authors: Kljakic Ornela , Al‐Onaizi Mohammed , Janíčková Helena , Chen Kevin S. , Guzman Monica S. , Prado Marco A. M. , Prado Vania F.
Published: July 2021

Disruptions in social behaviour are prevalent in many neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism spectrum disorders. However, the underlying neurochemical regulation of social behaviour is still not well understood. The central cholinergic system has been proposed to contribute to the regulation of social behaviour. For instance, decreased global levels of acetylcholine release in the brain leads to decreased social interaction and an impairment of social memory in mice. Nonetheless, it has been difficult to ascertain the specific brain areas where cholinergic signalling influences social preference and social memory. In this study, we investigated the impact of different forebrain cholinergic regions on social behaviour by examining mouse lines that differ in their regional expression level of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter—the protein that regulates acetylcholine secretion. We found that when cholinergic signalling is highly disrupted in the striatum, hippocampus, cortex and amygdala mice have intact social preference but are impaired in social memory, as they cannot remember a familiar conspecific nor recognize a novel one. A similar pattern emerges when acetylcholine release is disrupted mainly in the striatum, cortex, and amygdala; however, the ability to recognize novel conspecifics is retained. In contrast, cholinergic signalling of the striatum and amygdala does not appear to significantly contribute to the modulation of social memory and social preference. Furthermore, we demonstrated that increasing global cholinergic tone does not increase social behaviours. Together, these data suggest that cholinergic transmission from the hippocampus and cortex are important for regulating social memory.
The Box Task: A novel tool to differentiate the primary progressive aphasias
Authors: Foxe David , Irish Muireann , D’Mello Mirelle , Barhon Lucienne , Burrell James R. , Kessels Roy P.C. , Piguet Olivier
Published: July 2021

Objective

Differentiating the primary progressive aphasia (PPA) variants in clinical settings remains complex and challenging, especially for the logopenic (lv‐PPA) and non‐fluent variants (nfv‐PPA). Recent studies suggest that visuospatial memory is more compromised in lv‐PPA than in nfv‐PPA and is relatively spared in the semantic variant (sv‐PPA). Accordingly, assessment of visuospatial memory performance may assist in the differential diagnosis of PPA variants. Here, we investigated the utility of a novel computerised visuospatial working memory test—the Box Task—to differentiate the three PPA variants and typical Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods

Eighteen lv‐PPA, 14 nfv‐PPA, 23 sv‐PPA, 33 AD patients, and 32 healthy controls matched for age and education were recruited. All participants completed the computerised Box Task and WMS‐III Spatial Span as measures of visuospatial working memory.

Results

The lv‐PPA group made significantly more Box Task between‐search errors than nfv‐PPA, sv‐PPA and control groups. The AD group, however, displayed the greatest impairments on this measure relative to the PPA variants. Logistic regression analyses in lv‐PPA and nfv‐PPA demonstrated that the combination of Box Task between‐search error variables (i.e., 4‐ and 6‐box levels) could correctly classify 72% of lv‐PPA patients and nearly 79% of nfv‐PPA patients. Area under the receiver operator characteristics curve (AUC) analyses revealed the Box Task was more sensitive than Spatial Span at differentiating lv‐PPA from nfv‐PPA.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that a simple, computerised measure of visuospatial working memory—the Box Task—shows potential diagnostic utility in differentiating lv‐PPA from the other PPA variants.
Disrupted anterior and posterior hippocampal structural networks correlate impaired verbal memory and spatial memory in different subtypes of mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Du Chao , Chen Yaojing , Chen Kewei , Zhang Zhanjun
Published: July 2021

Background and purpose

The anterior and posterior hippocampal networks represent verbal and spatial memory, respectively, and may play different roles in the pathological mechanism of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and non‐amnestic MCI (naMCI), which has not been explored.

Methods

A total of 990 older adults with 791 normal controls (NCs) (65 ± 6 years, 502 women), 140 aMCI (66 ± 7 years, 84 women) and 59 naMCI (66 ± 7 years, 38 women) were included. A multivariate method, partial least squares, was used to assess the structural covariance networks of the anterior hippocampus (aHC) and posterior hippocampus (pHC), and their relationships with verbal memory and spatial memory in the three groups.

Results

Three aHC and pHC structural covariance network patterns emerged: (1) the age pattern; (2) the specific aMCI pattern; and (3) the spatial memory pattern. Furthermore, aMCI patients had more extensive and severe damage in the three patterns, and correlated with greater decline in verbal memory, which was mainly characterized by the aHC network.

Conclusions

The aMCI and naMCI showed different patterns and damage in the structural covariance networks, and functional segregation of the aHC and pHC networks still exists in the process of pathological aging. A potential neural explanation is provided for the conversion of aMCI and naMCI into different types of dementia in the future.
Quality of Life in Epilepsy: Same questions, but different meaning to different people
Authors: Sajobi Tolulope T. , Josephson Colin B. , Sawatzky Richard , Wang Meng , Lawal Oluwaseyi , Patten Scott B. , Lix Lisa M. , Wiebe Samuel
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used widely to elicit patient's self‐appraisal of their health status and quality of life. One fundamental assumption when measuring PROMs is that all individuals interpret questions about their health status in a consistent manner. However, subgroups of patients with a similar health condition may respond differently to PROM questions (ie, differential item functioning [DIF]), leading to biased estimates of group differences on PROM scores. Understanding these differences can help inform the clinical interpretation of PROMs. This study examined whether DIF affects 10‐item Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE10) scores reported by patients with epilepsy in outpatient clinics.

Methods

Data were from the Calgary Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, a prospective registry of patients with epilepsy in Calgary, Alberta. Latent variable mixture models (LVMMs) based on standard two‐parameter graded response models with increasing numbers of latent classes were applied to QOLIE10 item data. Model fit was assessed using the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) and latent class model entropy. Ordinal logistic regression was used to identify QOLIE10 items that exhibited DIF.

Results

In this cohort of 1143 patients, 567 (49.6%) were female and the median age was 37.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 27.0) years. A two‐class LVMM, which provided the best fit to the data, identified two subgroups of patients with different response patterns to QOLIE10 items, with class proportions of 0.62 and 0.38. The two subgroups differed with respect to antiseizure polytherapy, reported medication side effects, frequency of seizures, and psychiatric comorbidities. QOLIE10 items on the physical and psychological side effects of medication exhibited large DIF effects.

Significance

Our study revealed two different response patterns to quality‐of‐life instruments, suggesting heterogeneity in how patients interpret some of the questions. Researchers and users of PROMs in epilepsy need to consider the differential interpretation of items for various instruments to ensure valid understanding and comparisons of PROM scores.
cGAS‐STING pathway: post‐translational modifications and functions in sterile inflammatory diseases
Authors: Hong Ze , Ma Tianchi , Liu Xing , Wang Chen
Published: July 2021

Cytoplasmic microbial and host aberrant DNAs act as danger signals and trigger host immune responses. Upon recognition, the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS) catalyzes the production of a second messenger 2′3′‐cGAMP, which activates endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐associated stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) and ultimately leads to the induction of type I IFNs and inflammatory genes that collectively initiate host immune defense against microbial invasion. Inappropriate activation or suppression of this signaling pathway has been implicated in the development of some autoimmune diseases, sterile inflammation, and cancers. In this review, we describe how the activity of cGAS and STING is regulated by host post‐translational modifications and summarize the recent advances of cell‐specific cGAS‐STING activation and its association in sterile inflammatory diseases. We also discuss key outstanding questions in the field, including how our knowledge of cGAS‐STING pathway could be translated into clinical applications.
Environmental DNA metabarcoding elucidates patterns of fish colonisation and co‐occurrences with amphibians in temperate wetlands created for biodiversity
Authors: Kačergytė Ineta , Petersson Erik , Arlt Debora , Hellström Micaela , Knape Jonas , Spens Johan , Żmihorski Michał , Pärt Tomas
Published: July 2021

Wetlands are biodiversity hotspots that provide several essential ecosystem services. On a global scale, wetlands have greatly declined due to human activities. To counteract wetland loss, created wetlands are used as a conservation tool to facilitate biodiversity and provide habitats mainly for birds and amphibians. Fishes are likely to colonise the created wetlands and potentially affect the diversity and occurrence of amphibians. Still, species occurrence data for fish in created wetlands are largely lacking.

Using eDNA metabarcoding, we investigated occurrence and co‐occurrence patterns of fish and amphibian communities in 52 wetlands (some of which are ponds) created to benefit mainly bird and amphibian communities in south‐central Sweden.

Altogether, 17 fish and five amphibian species were detected in the created wetlands out of the 32 fish and six amphibian species found in the regional species pool. Amphibians were less common in wetlands physically connected to other wetlands. Connected wetlands were more fish‐rich than isolated ones, suggesting potential fish avoidance. Additionally, the amphibian community occupied a narrower environmental niche compared to the fish community. Nevertheless, we observed only five statistically significant negative fish–amphibian species co‐occurrences (out of 14 species considered).

Even though our results suggest amphibian avoidance/exclusion from the created biodiversity wetlands, they also show that fish and amphibians frequently co‐exist. Increased habitat heterogeneity in terms of water vegetation, size, shape, and structure of the wetland could be possible factors enabling the co‐existence of these two taxa.

With this study, we contribute to the general knowledge of fish occurrence patterns in created biodiversity wetlands. By comparing the frequencies of fish occurrence in natural and created wetlands, we have shown that there was some mismatch in what is common in natural compared to created wetlands. This mismatch probably comes from species‐specific habitat requirements, stocking, and differences in detectability when using eDNA metabarcoding (small species detected) versus conventional multi‐mesh gill‐net methods (small species missed). Therefore, our results obtained using eDNA metabarcoding can complement the pre‐existing knowledge of amphibian and fish associations and increase our understanding of how to create wetlands to facilitate biodiversity of several taxa.
Critical transitions and ecological resilience of large marine ecosystems in the Northwestern Pacific in response to global warming
Authors: Ma Shuyang , Liu Dan , Tian Yongjun , Fu Caihong , Li Jianchao , Ju Peilong , Sun Peng , Ye Zhenjiang , Liu Yang , Watanabe Yoshiro
Published: July 2021

Natural systems can undergo critical transitions, leading to substantial socioeconomic and ecological outcomes. “Ecological resilience” has been proposed to describe the capacity of natural systems to absorb external perturbation and reorganize while undergoing change so as to still retain essentially the same function, structure, identity, and feedbacks. However, the mere application of ecological resilience in theoretical research and the lack of quantitative approaches present considerable obstacles for predicting critical transitions and understanding their mechanisms. Large marine ecosystems (LMEs) in the Northwestern Pacific are characterized by great biodiversity and productivity, as well as remarkable warming in recent decades. However, no information is available on the critical transitions and ecological resilience of LMEs in response to warming. Therefore, we applied an integrated resilience assessment framework to fisheries catch data from seven LMEs covering a wide range of regions, from tropical to subarctic, in the Northwestern Pacific to identify critical transitions, assess ecological resilience, and reconstruct folded stability landscapes, with a specific focus on the effects of warming. The results provide evidence of the occurrence of critical transitions, with fold bifurcation and hysteresis in response to increasing sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the seven LMEs. In addition, these LMEs show similarities and synchronies in structure variations and critical transitions forced by warming. Both dramatic increases in SST and small fluctuations at the corresponding thresholds may trigger critical transitions. Ecological resilience decreases when approaching the tipping points and is repainted as the LMEs shift to alternative stable states with different resilient dynamics. Folded stability landscapes indicate that the responses of LMEs to warming are discontinuous, which may be caused by the reorganization of LMEs as their sensitivity to warming changes. Our study clarifies the nonlinear responses of LMEs to anthropogenic warming and provides examples of quantifying ecological resilience in empirical systems at unprecedented spatial and temporal scales.
Narrative review of neuroimaging in migraine with aura
Authors: Arca Karissa N. , VanderPluym Juliana H. , Halker Singh Rashmi B.
Published: July 2021

Objective

To improve the understanding of the role and utility of various neuroimaging modalities (clinical and research) for the evaluation of migraine aura (MA) and hemiplegic migraine during the ictal and interictal phases.

Background

MA is defined by reversible neurologic symptoms and is considered a manifestation of a primary condition. As such, most patients with MA do not require imaging. However, if there are atypical features, change in symptom pattern, or it is a first‐time presentation, neuroimaging may be used to evaluate for secondary conditions. Neuroimaging includes many modalities, and it is important to consider what information is being captured by these modalities (i.e., structural vs. functional). Imaging abnormalities may be noted both during (ictal) and between (interictal) MA attacks, and it is important for clinicians to be familiar with neuroimaging findings reported in migraine with aura (MWA) compared with other conditions.

Methods

With the assistance of a medical librarian, we performed a review of the literature pertaining to MWA and neuroimaging in PubMed. Search terms included were magnetic resonance imaging, positron‐emission tomography, single photon‐emission computed tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and migraine with aura. We hand‐searched these references to inform our subsequent literature review.

Results

Acute MA can be associated with several unique neuroimaging findings—reversible cortical diffusion restriction, cortical venous engorgement, and a “biphasic” transition from hypoperfusion to hyperperfusion. Imaging findings during MA tend to span more than one vascular territory. Between acute attacks, neuroimaging in people with MWA can resemble migraine without aura in terms of white matter abnormalities and “infarct‐like lesions.” Research imaging modalities such as volumetric analysis and functional imaging have demonstrated unique findings in migraine with aura.

Conclusion

Although migraine is a clinical diagnosis, understanding of neuroimaging findings in MWA can help clinicians interpret imaging findings and improve patient care.
Information, deliberation, and decisional control preferences for participation in medical decision‐making and its influencing factors among Chinese cancer patients
Authors: Xiao Lin , Peng Meifang , Liu Yawei , Zhang Lili
Published: July 2021

Background

Patient‐centred care should strive to respond to the individual patient's needs and preferences when possible. Yet, preferences of cancer patients for participation in different stages of the medical decision‐making process to increase matching of preferred and actual participation of the patients in decision‐making are not well known.

Objective

This study aimed to determine the level of information, deliberation and decisional control preferences in decision‐making practices among Chinese cancer patients and to explore their association with the sociodemographic and clinical variables of the patients.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted involving a convenience sample of 328 cancer patients from three public hospitals in Guangzhou, China. The Patient Expectation for Participation in Medical Decision‐making Scale (PEPMDS) was used to evaluate information, deliberation and decisional control preferences of the patients. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to determine the association between sociodemographic variables, clinical variables and preferences of the patients.

Results

Most patients reported a high preference for information (73.2%) and deliberation (73.8%), while a small number (37.2%) reported a high preference for decisional control. Younger patients and patients with higher levels of education were significantly more likely to have a high preference for information, deliberation and decisional control. Patients with low annual family incomes were significantly more likely to have a low preference for decisional control.

Conclusion

Preferences of patients for involvement in different stages of decision‐making practices could vary. The level of preferences appears to be related to the patient's age, education level, and financial status.

Practice Implications

Healthcare providers should tailor the participatory approaches of patients considering individual preferences for information, deliberation and decisional control during medical decision‐making.

Patient Contribution

Patients participated in the survey and filled in the questionnaires.
Chronic and rare disease patients' access to healthcare services during a health crisis: The example of the COVID‐19 pandemic in Turkey
Authors: Aktas Puren
Published: July 2021

Objective

The restructuring of healthcare provision for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic caused disruptions in access for patients with chronic or rare diseases. This study explores the experiences of patients with chronic or rare diseases in access to healthcare services in Turkey during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with representatives (n = 10) of patient organisations (n = 9) based in Istanbul. Thematic analysis with an inductive approach was conducted to analyse the responses obtained through the interviews.

Results

The lack of clinical information at the beginning of the pandemic caused fear among patients with chronic or rare diseases. Patients experienced obstacles in access to healthcare services because of the overcrowding of hospitals with COVID‐19 patients. Some treatment procedures were cancelled or postponed by physicians. Of these procedures, some were medically vital for those patients, leading to or exacerbating further health problems. The most positive measures that patients identified were where the Social Security Institution introduced regulations to facilitate access to prescribed medicine for chronic patients. Information exchange between the doctors and their patients was important to alleviate the uncertainty and reduce the anxiety among patients.

Discussion

Access problems experienced by patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic were a complex mix of factors including shortages and physical barriers, but also perceptions of barriers. The findings of this study show that patient organisations can provide insights on disease‐specific experiences and problems that are very valuable to improve access to healthcare services to achieve the universal health coverage target. Hence, this study emphasises the inclusion of patient organisations in decision‐making processes during times of health crises.

Public Contribution

Representatives of patient organisations participated in the interviews.
Geochemical and geochronological constraints on the origin and emplacement of the Shimo‐ondori diorites in Shikoku, Southwest Japan
Authors: Aoki Shogo , Aoki Kazumasa , Fukuyama Mayuko , Ogasawara Masatsugu , Tsuchiya Yuta
Published: July 2021

In this study, the LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U–Pb dating of the Shimo‐ondori diorites in the Shimanto accretionary complex of SW Japan provides ~130 Ma, representing the timing of their crystallization ages. Combined with the geological occurrence, that age clearly indicates that the diorites occur as blocks, not as intrusive rocks as suggested by previous studies. Moreover, the ages of the Shimo‐ondori diorites are suggesstive that they could be influential for the estimate of the early‐Cretaceous tectonic evolution for the eastern Asian margin. Their whole‐rock chemical compositions show high MgO, Ni and Cr contents, and low total FeO/MgO ratios, indicating that they were crystallized from high magnesian andesite (HMA) magmas. Moreover, their TiO2 and REE compositions suggest that they were formed by the same processes as the sanukites. And, the zircon Hf isotopic ratios (εHf [~130 Ma] = +9.9 − +17.5), which is close to or slightly lower than that of the ~130 Ma depleted mantle, suggest that the wedge‐mantle materials were predominantly involved in the formation of the dioritic magmas. Their geochronological and geochemical similarities of the Shimo‐ondori diorites with the early Cretaceous adakites and HMAs in the eastern Asian margin suggest that they might have been formed possibly by the same slab rollback of the Izanagi plate at the early Cretaceous. After the crystallization of the Shimo‐ondori diorites, they were delivered and deposited as blocks in a trench site with the surrounding sedimentary rocks of the Shimanto accretionary complex.
Neutralizing type‐I interferon autoantibodies are associated with delayed viral clearance and intensive care unit admission in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Abers Michael S , Rosen Lindsey B , Delmonte Ottavia M , Shaw Elana , Bastard Paul , Imberti Luisa , Quaresima Virginia , Biondi Andrea , Bonfanti Paolo , Castagnoli Riccardo , Casanova Jean‐Laurent , Su Helen C , Notarangelo Luigi D , Holland Steven M , Lionakis Michail S
Published: July 2021

Type‐I interferons (IFNs) mediate antiviral activity and have emerged as important immune mediators during coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19). Several lines of evidence suggest that impaired type‐I IFN signaling may predispose to severe COVID‐19. However, the pathophysiologic mechanisms that contribute to illness severity remain unclear. In this study, our goal was to gain insight into how type‐I IFNs influence outcomes in patients with COVID‐19. To achieve this goal, we compared clinical outcomes between 26 patients with neutralizing type‐I IFN autoantibodies (AAbs) and 192 patients without AAbs who were hospitalized for COVID‐19 at three Italian hospitals. The presence of circulating AAbs to type‐I IFNs was associated with an increased risk of admission to the intensive care unit and a delayed time to viral clearance. However, survival was not adversely affected by the presence of type‐I IFN AAbs. Our findings provide further support for the role of type‐I IFN AAbs in impairing host antiviral defense and promoting the development of critical COVID‐19 pneumonia in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2‐infected individuals.
Unboxing dendritic cells: Tales of multi‐faceted biology and function
Authors: Giza Heather M. , Bozzacco Leonia
Published: July 2021

Often referred to as the bridge between innate and adaptive immunity, dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) that constitute a unique, yet complex cell system. Among other APCs, DCs display the unique property of inducing protective immune responses against invading microbes, or cancer cells, while safeguarding the proper homeostatic equilibrium of the immune system and maintaining self‐tolerance. Unsurprisingly, DCs play a role in many diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy, infectious disease and cancer. This makes them attractive but challenging targets for therapeutics. Since their initial discovery, research and understanding of DC biology have flourished. We now recognize the presence of multiple subsets of DCs distributed across tissues. Recent studies of phenotype and gene expression at the single cell level have identified heterogeneity even within the same DC type, supporting the idea that DCs have evolved to greatly expand the flexibility of the immune system to react appropriately to a wide range of threats. This review is meant to serve as a quick and robust guide to understand the basic divisions of DC subsets and their role in the immune system. Between mice and humans, there are some differences in how these subsets are identified and function, and we will point out specific distinctions as necessary. Throughout the text, we are using both fundamental and therapeutic lens to describe overlaps and distinctions and what this could mean for future research and therapies.
Digital risks and adolescents: The relationships between digital game addiction, emotional eating, and aggression
Authors: Caner Nuray , Evgin Derya
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, weight gain and obesity are major health‐threatening issues for children. Emotional eating, a negative health condition that can lead to obesity in children, is a defence mechanism for coping with negative emotions. This cross‐sectional study aimed to evaluate the relationships between emotional eating behaviour and digital game addiction, which can cause stress and aggression in adolescents. This study was conducted with 856 adolescents from the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The data were collected using a personal information form, the Buss‐Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ), the Digital Game Addiction Scale (DGAS‐7), and the Emotional Eating Scale (EES). In this study, 32.4% of the adolescents were addicted to digital games. The male adolescents had higher BPAQ, DGAS, and EES mean scores. There was also a relationship between digital game addiction, aggressive behaviour, and emotional eating. This is a significant study because it shows that digital game addiction and aggressive behaviour are important determinants of emotional eating. The results of this study indicate that emotional eating is a component of digital game addiction that increases the risk of adolescent obesity.
Sensory Literacy and Empowerment in Art and Design
Authors: Matthews Miranda
Published: July 2021

Insistence on verbal literacy as a key skill occurs throughout education. There needs to be a greater awareness of literacy as a sensory capacity: creative voices are seen, heard and performed. I argue that all the senses form embodied understanding, and obstructing this flow can impede learning. This article questions how we can use embodied, sensory and performative methods to enable student ownership of theoretical and cultural texts. It contributes a theorised approach and transferrable methods for students to build confidence in their learning capacity. I discuss how interpretations of texts can be seen as discourses that are expressed through visualisation, embodiment and affect to empower learning. Practice research with vocational art and design students is explored, to address their expressions of empowerment, in connection with their interpretations of Foucault and Freire. Students’ individuated sensory methods of representing empowerment also offer more inclusive possibilities for decolonised cultural ownership through arts practice.
Utility of using electrocardiogram measures of heart rate variability as a measure of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in type 1 diabetes patients
Authors: Pop‐Busui Rodica , Backlund Jye‐Yu C , Bebu Ionut , Braffett Barbara H , Lorenzi Gayle , White Neil H , Lachin John M , Soliman Elsayed Z ,   DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: July 2021

Aims/Introduction

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a predictor of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Cardiovascular reflex tests (CARTs) are the gold standard for the diagnosis of CAN, but might not be feasible in large research cohorts or in clinical care. We investigated whether measures of heart rate variability obtained from standard electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings provide a reliable measure of CAN.

Materials and Methods

Standardized CARTs (R‐R response to paced breathing, Valsalva, postural changes) and digitized 12‐lead resting ECGs were obtained concomitantly in Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications participants (n = 311). Standard deviation of normally conducted R‐R intervals (SDNN) and the root mean square of successive differences between normal‐to‐normal R‐R intervals (rMSSD) were measured from ECG. Sensitivity, specificity, probability of correct classification and Kappa statistics evaluated the agreement between ECG‐derived CAN and CARTs‐defined CAN.

Results

Participants with CARTs‐defined CAN had significantly lower SDNN and rMSSD compared with those without CAN (P < 0.001). The optimal cut‐off points of ECG‐derived CAN were <17.13 and <24.94 ms for SDNN and rMSSD, respectively. SDNN plays a dominant role in defining CAN, with an area under the curve of 0.73, indicating fair test performance. The Kappa statistic for SDNN was 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.30–0.51) for the optimal cut‐off point, showing fair agreement with CARTs‐defined CAN. Combining SDNN and rMSSD optimal cut‐off points does not provide additional predictive power for CAN.

Conclusions

These analyses are the first to show the agreement between indices of heart rate variability derived from ECGs and the gold standard CARTs, thus supporting potential use as a measure of CAN in clinical research and clinical care.
Eating catch of the day: the diet of porbeagle shark Lamna nasus (Bonnaterre 1788) based on stomach content analysis, and the interaction with trawl fisheries in the south‐western Atlantic (52° S–56° S)
Authors: Belleggia Mauro , Colonello Jorge , Cortés Federico , Figueroa Daniel Enrique
Published: July 2021

This work examined the diet of the porbeagle shark Lamna nasus in the south‐west Atlantic Ocean (SWAO, Argentina, 52° S–56° S) by analysing the stomach content information obtained by scientific observers who sampled specimens captured as by‐catch on‐board commercial fishing vessels from 2010 to 2020. A total of 148 fishing sites were analysed, in which the estimated catch was composed mainly of hoki Macruronus magellanicus (56.00%) and southern blue whiting Micromesistius australis (33.13%). From 413 porbeagle sharks sampled (292 females and 121 males) ranging from 71 to 241 cm total length (LT) (mean: 179.76 ± 26.74 cm), 310 (75.06%) contained food in the stomachs. The forage fish were mainly hoki M. magellanicus (23.53%) and southern blue whiting M. australis (19.05%), followed by the Patagonian sprat Sprattus fuegensis (4.48%) and nototheniids (1.4%). Cephalopods and crustaceans accounted for 10% of the diet. The estimated trophic level was 4.35. Generalized linear models revealed that the consumption of hoki M. magellanicus and southern blue whiting M. australis increased with the LT of the porbeagle shark. Moreover, smaller porbeagle sharks preyed upon both small and large teleost fish, whereas larger porbeagle sharks predated exclusively upon large fish. The diet of porbeagle shark involved interactions with fisheries as it fed upon the fish species that constituted the main catch in the analysed fishing sites, as well as the main catches of the austral trawl fisheries. The ecological role of porbeagle shark observed in the SWAO exposed implications for fisheries management from a multispecies perspective.
Vanillic acid combats Vibrio alginolyticus by cell membrane damage and biofilm reduction
Authors: Liu Huan , Xiao Miao , Zuo Jing , He Xiaoxian , Lu Ping , Li Yingyu , Zhao Yanni , Xia Fei
Published: July 2021

Antibiotics are the most powerful weapon against bacterial infectious diseases in aquaculture. However, the indiscriminate usage of antibiotics often culminates in the emerging development of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, making it imperative to search for novel types of antimicrobial agents. This study investigated the antibacterial and antivirulence effects of vanillic acid (VA) against the fish pathogen, Vibrio alginolyticus. We showed that VA had a good anti‐Vibrio activity with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.0 mg/ml. In addition, VA wielded its antibacterial action in a dose‐/time‐dependent manner by causing cell membrane damage and increasing membrane permeability, which is evidenced by increasing the conductivity and malondialdehyde content in the treated cell cultures and the scanning electron microscopy images. Furthermore, VA significantly reduced the biofilm‐forming capability, mobility and exotoxin production (protease and exopolysaccharide) and downregulation of the expression of biofilm‐ and virulence‐associated genes (sypG, fliS, fliK, lafA, lafK, asp and luxR) was seen in the V. alginolyticus that exposed to VA at subinhibitory concentrations. Overall, our findings suggested that VA may be of interest for treating V. alginolyticus‐associated infections in aquaculture.
Critical transmission sectors in embodied atmospheric mercury emission network in China
Authors: He Kehan , Mi Zhifu , Chen Long , Coffman D'Maris , Liang Sai
Published: July 2021

Atmospheric mercury is a crucial pollutant that must be well‐controlled to avoid damaging public health. It is thus necessary to understand from multiple perspectives the roles played by different industrial sectors, as well as their geographical distribution. Existing studies have overlooked the transmission sectors in the economic supply chains of the embodied atmospheric mercury emission network. In this paper, we offer a betweenness‐based account (BBA) for Chinese regions and industrial sectors in transmitting embodied atmospheric mercury emissions and in doing so have identified the transmitting hubs. Our results show that the Henan province acts as the transmission hub of the embodied atmospheric mercury emission network in China. The metallurgy, chemical, and construction industries generally play important roles in the transmission of embodied atmospheric mercury emissions across China. Henan's metallurgy sector, the third highest of all, is more closely linked with inter‐provincial sectors than the top two transmission sectors (the metallurgy industry of Jiangsu and the chemical industry of Shandong). This study can help policy makers improve mercury control measures by focusing on transmission processes for effective and comprehensive atmospheric mercury emission control.
Sex and brain region‐specific regulation of serotonin transporter activity in synaptosomes in guanine nucleotide‐binding protein G(q) alpha knockout mice
Authors: Haase Jana , Jones Aimée K. C. , Mc Veigh Conor J. , Brown Eric , Clarke Gerard , Ahnert‐Hilger Gudrun
Published: July 2021

The regulation of the serotonin transporter (SERT) by guanine nucleotide‐binding protein alpha (Gα) q was investigated using Gαq knockout mice. In the absence of Gαq, SERT‐mediated uptake of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5HT) was enhanced in midbrain and frontal cortex synaptosomes, but only in female mice. The mechanisms underlying this sexual dimorphism were investigated using quantitative western blot analysis revealing brain region‐specific differences. In the frontal cortex, SERT protein expression was decreased in male knockout mice, seemingly explaining the sex‐dependent variation in SERT activity. The differential expression of Gαi1 in female mice contributes to the sex differences in the midbrain. In fact, Gαi1 levels inversely correlate with 5HT uptake rates across both sexes and genotypes. Likely due to differential SERT regulation as well as sex differences in the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase 2, Gαq knockout mice also displayed sex‐ and genotype‐dependent alterations in total 5HT tissue levels as determined by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Gαq inhibitors, YM‐254890 and BIM‐46187, differentially affected SERT activity in both, synaptosomes and cultured cells. YM‐254890 treatment mimicked the effect of Gαq knockout in the frontal cortex. BIM‐46187, which promotes the nucleotide‐free form of Gα proteins, substantially inhibited 5HT uptake, prompting us to hypothesise that Gαq interacts with SERT similarly as with G‐protein‐coupled receptors and inhibits SERT activity by modulating transport‐associated conformational changes. Taken together, our findings reveal a novel mechanism of SERT regulation and impact our understanding of sex differences in diseases associated with dysregulation of serotonin transmission, such as depression and anxiety.

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Spiritual Distress in Patients With Cancer Initiating Chemotherapy: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Martins Helga , Caldeira Sílvia , Vieira Margarida , Campos de Carvalho Emília , Flanagan Jane
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To assess spiritual distress in patients with cancer who were initiating chemotherapy.

Methods

This was a quantitative, observational, cross‐sectional study. Data collection was conducted between February and June of 2019. The Spiritual Distress Scale (SDS) was administered to 332 patients with cancer.

Findings

Most participants (56.6%) were female, with the mean age at 60.3 years (SD = ±11.73). The mean SDS score was 56.6 (SD = ±13.39), with 30% of the participants reporting moderate and 9.6% reporting high levels of spiritual distress. Younger age (β = ‐0.687, p = .008) and participants having no religious affiliation were predictors of SDS (β = ‐8.322, p = .035) in patients with cancer initiating chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Given the degree of spiritual distress reported, this study provides further evidence to support the need for nurses to assess spirituality in order to provide holistic care inclusive of spiritual domain.

Clinical Relevance

These results are relevant to clinical practice and indicate a need for nurses to use the clinical reasoning process to assess spiritual distress and to plan nursing interventions aimed at meeting the spiritual needs of patients with cancer who are initiating chemotherapy.
Osteohistology of Greererpeton provides insight into the life history of an early Carboniferous tetrapod
Authors: Whitney Megan R. , Pierce Stephanie E.
Published: July 2021

The vertebrate transition to land is one of the most consequential, yet poorly understood periods in tetrapod evolution. Despite the importance of the water–land transition in establishing modern ecosystems, we still know very little about the life histories of the earliest tetrapods. Bone histology provides an exceptional opportunity to study the biology of early tetrapods and has the potential to reveal new insights into their life histories. Here, we examine the femoral bone histology from an ontogenetic series of Greererpeton, an early tetrapod from the Middle‐Late Mississippian (early Carboniferous) of North America. Thin‐sections and micro‐CT data show a moderately paced rate of bone deposition with significant cortical thickening through development. An interruption to regular bone deposition, as indicated by a zone of avascular tissue and growth marks, is notable at the same late juvenile stage of development throughout our sample. This suggests that an inherent aspect to the life history of juvenile Greererpeton resulted in a temporary reduction in bone deposition. We review several possible life history correlates for this bony signature including metamorphosis, an extended juvenile phase, environmental stress, and movement (migration/dispersal) between habitats. We argue that given the anatomy of Greererpeton, it is unlikely that events related to polymorphism (metamorphosis, extended juvenile phase) can explain the bony signature observed in our sample. Furthermore, the ubiquity of this signal in our sample indicates a taxon‐level rather than a population‐level trait, which is expected for an environmental stress. We conclude that movement via dispersal represents a likely correlate, as such events are a common life history strategy of aquatically bound vertebrates.
Multidimensional factors affecting medication adherence among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Aldan Goncagul , Helvaci Aylin , Ozdemir Leyla , Satar Seher , Ergun Pinar
Published: July 2021

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the effects of socioeconomic‐, patient‐, treatment‐, condition‐ and health system‐related factors on medication adherence in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Background

Medication adherence is essential for the management of chronic diseases. The World Health Organization created a Multidimensional Adherence Model (MAM) and showed that medication adherence is affected by a combination of numerous factors.

Design

A descriptive correlational study was conducted.

Methods

A total of 114 patients with COPD were included. Data were collected on five dimensions based on the MAM framework. Medication adherence, self‐efficacy and symptoms were evaluated using the Adherence to Refills and Medications Scale‐7 (ARMS‐7), COPD Self‐Efficacy Scale (CSES) and COPD Assessment Test (CAT), respectively. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlational statistics and structural equation modelling. The STROBE checklist was used.

Results

The ARMS‐7 scores were associated with the body mass index of patients (F = 4.245, p = .017), smoke pack‐years (r = .277, p = .004) and the CSES total score (β = –0.249, p = .002) in patient‐related factors. The ARMS‐7 score was not associated with socio‐economic and health system‐related factors. The ARMS‐7 score showed a significant correlation between COPD diagnosis duration (r = −.276, p = .003) and the total number of drugs (r = −.215, p = .022) in treatment‐related factors. The ARMS‐7 scores were associated with the number of comorbid illnesses of patients with COPD in condition‐related factors (F = 3.533, p = .033).

Conclusion

This study showed that medication adherence in COPD was mostly affected by patient‐, treatment‐ and condition‐related factors.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare professionals should establish training and counselling programs to increase the medication adherence level of patients, particularly for patients who are newly diagnosed, require multiple drugs and have comorbid diseases or low self‐efficacy.