bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using recovery management checkups for primary care to improve linkage to alcohol and other drug use treatment: a randomized controlled trial three month findings
Authors: Scott Christy K , Dennis Michael L. , Grella Christine E. , Watson Dennis P. , Davis Jordan P. , Hart M. Kate
Published: October 2022

Background and Aims

Recovery management checkups (RMC) have established efficacy for linking patients to substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. This study tested whether using RMC in combination with screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT), versus SBIRT alone, can improve linkage of primary care patients referred to SUD treatment.

Design

A randomized controlled trial of SBIRT as usual (n = 132) versus SBIRT plus recovery management checkups for primary care (RMC‐PC) (n = 134) with follow‐up assessments at 3 months post‐baseline.

Setting

Four federally qualified health centers in the United States serving low‐income populations.

Participants

Primary care patients (n = 266, 64% male, 80% Black, mean age, 48.3 [range, 19–53]) who were referred to SUD treatment after SBIRT.

Interventions

SBIRT alone (control condition) compared with SBIRT + RMC‐PC (experimental condition).

Measurement

The primary outcome was any days of SUD treatment in the past 3 months. Key secondary outcomes were days of SUD treatment overall and by level of care, days of alcohol and other drug (AOD) abstinence, and days of using specific substances, all based on self‐report.

Findings

At 3‐month follow‐up, those assigned to SBIRT + RMC‐PC (n = 134) had higher odds of receiving any SUD treatment (46% vs 20%; adjusted odds ratio = 4.50 [2.49, 8.48]) compared with SBIRT only, including higher rates of entering residential and intensive outpatient treatment. They also reported more days of treatment (14.45, vs 7.13; d = +0.26), more days abstinent (41.3 vs 31.9; d = +0.22), and fewer days of using alcohol (27.14, vs 36.31; d = −0.25) and cannabis (19.49, vs 28.6; d = −0.20).

Conclusions

Recovery management checkups in combination with screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment are an effective strategy for improving linkage of primary care patients in need to substance use disorder treatment over 3 months.
Why do some patients with vulval lichen sclerosus on long‐term topical corticosteroid treatment experience ongoing poor quality of life?
Authors: Wijaya Marlene , Lee Geoffrey , Fischer Gayle
Published: October 2022

Objective

To identify reasons for ongoing poor quality of life (pQOL) in a subset of long‐term topical corticosteroid‐treated vulval lichen sclerosus (VLS) patients.

Methods

A prospective cross‐sectional study of patients attending a dermato‐gynaecology practice in Sydney, Australia, comparing VLS patients with good quality of life (gQOL) and pQOL, in pre‐treatment and long‐term treatment groups, using the Vulval Quality of Life Index (VQLI). Demographics, VQLI scores and treatment characteristics were compared between gQOL and pQOL patients.

Results

A total of 255 biopsy‐proven VLS patients, 67 in pre‐treatment and 188 in long‐term treated groups were considered. There were 33 (49.3%) pQOL patients in pre‐treatment and 13 (6.9%) in treatment groups (p < 0.001). The highest‐scoring domain in treated pQOL patients was sexuality (1.7 [interquartile range (IQR) 1.0–2.0]), followed by anxiety [1.3 (IQR 1.0–1.5]), symptoms (1.0 [IQR 0.5–1.5]) and activities of daily living (0.7 [IQR 0.3–1.0]). Compared to treated gQOL, treated pQOL had significantly higher proportions of patients with partial treatment adherence (8 [61.5%] vs 42 [24.0%], p = 0.006), suboptimal disease control (7 [53.8%] vs 20 [11.4%], p < 0.001), scarring progression (3 [23.1%] vs 7 [4.0%], p = 0.024) and urinary incontinence (5 [38.5%] vs 27 [15.4%], p = 0.049).

Conclusions

Only a minority of long‐term treated VLS patients reported ongoing pQOL. Of those who did, sexuality and anxiety domains were found to be the main sources of distress. Three major areas distinguishing gQOL from pQOL patients were (1) treatment adherence and disease control, (2) psychological factors and (3) urinary incontinence.
Maternal mortality in women with pre‐viable premature rupture of membranes: An analysis from the French confidential enquiry into maternal deaths
Authors: Abrahami Ylann , Saucedo Monica , Rigouzzo Agnès , Deneux‐Tharaux Catherine , Azria Elie ,   ENCMM group
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Pre‐viable premature rupture of membranes (pre‐viable PROM) is a rare event occurring in less than 1% of pregnancies. Nevertheless, it can be responsible for severe maternal complications, the risk of which needs to be balanced with the possibility to prolong the pregnancy up to viable gestational age. Maternal sepsis was reported in 1%–5% of women who received conservative management and prophylactic antibiotics, but information on maternal mortality is lacking. Our objective was to identify maternal deaths in women who had pre‐viable PROM, describe the characteristics of the women, explore preventability factors within the care they received, and estimate the lethality of pre‐viable PROM.

Material and methods

We identified all maternal deaths associated with pre‐viable PROM from the 2001–2015 French National Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths (NCMM). Data on women's characteristics and the care they received were extracted from the ENCMM database. The lethality was determined after estimating the total number of pregnant women with pre‐viable PROM from the national hospital discharge database.

Results

Between 2001 and 2015, we identified seven maternal deaths associated with pre‐viable PROM, representing 0.6% of all maternal deaths over this period (ie, maternal mortality ratio 0.06/100 000 live births). Six maternal deaths were attributed to sepsis after genital infection by Gram‐negative bacilli and one to postpartum hemorrhage due to placenta accreta. Four of these seven cases were considered preventable. The main preventability factors were delayed diagnosis, delayed fetal extraction, and inappropriate antibiotic treatment. The estimated lethality was 4.5/10 000 women with pre‐viable PROM.

Conclusions

Maternal death associated with pre‐viable PROM is rare but possible. Most of these deaths seem preventable, with areas for improvement related to earlier diagnosis and better treatment of uterine infections, which can evolve rapidly.
Unravelling the relationship between populism and belief in conspiracy theories: The role of cynicism, powerlessness and zero‐sum thinking
Authors: Papaioannou Kostas , Pantazi Myrto , van Prooijen Jan‐Willem
Published: October 2022

In recent years, it has been argued that conspiracy beliefs and populist attitudes go hand in hand. Despite their theoretical and empirical similarities, it remains unclear why these constructs are so closely associated. Across three studies, we examined the processes underlying the relationship between belief in conspiracy theories and populist attitudes. Study 1 (Greece, N = 275) and Study 2 (United Kingdom, N = 300) revealed that the relationship between populist attitudes and conspiracy beliefs is mediated by political cynicism and zero‐sum thinking. In Study 3 (USA, N = 300, pre‐registered), we use a vignette of a fictitious country to experimentally show that having a newly elected populist party in power (as compared to a well‐established party) reduced participants' tendency to believe conspiracy theories. Moreover, this was due to increased empowerment, decreased political cynicism and decreased zero‐sum thinking. These findings reveal various complementary mediators of the link between populist attitudes and conspiracy thinking and suggest that electing a populist party in power may reduce conspiracy beliefs among the public.
Effectiveness of peer support programmes for improving well‐being and quality of life in parents/carers of children with disability or chronic illness: A systematic review
Authors: Lancaster Katharine , Bhopti Anoo , Kern Margaret L. , Taylor Rachel , Janson Annick , Harding Katherine
Published: October 2022

Aim

This systematic review synthesized quantitative evidence from the past decade of the effectiveness of peer support programmes in improving the well‐being and/or quality of life (QoL) for parents/carers of children with disability/chronic illnesses.

Background

For children with disability or chronic illness, parents/carers are critical in enabling or limiting their child's development. The parent's/carer's ability to provide the necessary responsive and structured care is impacted by several factors, including their own personality, skills, resources and well‐being. Peer support programmes often aim to build parent/carer and/or family capabilities. Although studies and reviews have found positive benefits arising from such programmes, the impact of such programmes, specifically on well‐being and QoL, is unknown

Results

Quantitative studies published between 2011 and 2020 that examined the impact of programmes with a significant peer support component on parental/carer well‐being, QoL and/or distress were identified from four databases and were searched and yielded 3605 articles, with 13 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The results suggested that peer support is effective for reducing distress and improving the well‐being and QoL among parents of children with disabilities; however, the evidence is limited by a high risk of bias in the included studies.

Conclusions

Although existing evidence suggests that programmes for parents/carers with a significant peer support component are beneficial for well‐being and QoL, rigorous methodologies are needed in the future to gain a better understanding of the benefits of such programmes.
Diversity and representation in studies of infant perceptual narrowing
Authors: Singh Leher , Rajendra Sarah J. , Mazuka Reiko
Published: October 2022

Over the past 50 years, scientists have made amazing discoveries about the origins of human language acquisition. Central to this field of study is the process by which infants' perceptual sensitivities gradually align with native language structure, known as perceptual narrowing. Perceptual narrowing offers a theoretical account of how infants draw on environmental experience to induce underlying linguistic structure, providing an important pathway to word learning. Researchers have advanced perceptual narrowing theory as a universal developmental theory that applies broadly across language learners. In this article, we examine diversity and representation of empirical evidence for perceptual narrowing of speech in infancy. As demonstrated, cumulative evidence draws from limited types of learners, languages, and locations, so current accounts of perceptual narrowing must be viewed in terms of sampling patterns. We suggest actions to diversify and broaden empirical investigations of perceptual narrowing to address core issues of validity, replicability, and generalizability.
Contact allergy to metals in metalworkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Alinaghi Farzad , Havmose Martin , Thyssen Jacob P. , Zachariae Claus , Johansen Jeanne D.
Published: October 2022

Occupational hand eczema is frequent in metalworkers. The contribution of metal allergies is poorly elucidated even though such exposures are common at the workplace. To estimate the prevalence of metal allergy to cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in metalworkers and compare these to estimates from the European Surveillance System on Contact Allergies (ESSCA). Two authors independently searched PubMed for studies reporting on the prevalence of metal allergy in metalworkers. Proportion meta‐analyses were performed to calculate the pooled proportions of metal allergy in metalworkers. In total, 29 studies (22 from Europe) were included yielding 5691 subjects for quantitative analysis. The pooled proportion (95% confidence interval) of Co, Cr and Ni in European metalworkers with dermatitis referred to patch test clinics was 8.2% (5.3%–11.7%), 8.0% (5.1%–11.4%), and 11.0% (7.3%–15.4%), respectively. The corresponding estimates for unselected metalworkers from workplace studies were 4.9% (2.4%–8.1%), 5.2% (1.0%–12.6%), and 7.6% (3.8%–12.6%), respectively. In comparison, the prevalence of metal allergy in 13 382 consecutive European males with dermatitis was 3.9% (3.6%–4.2%), 4.4% (4.1%–4.8%) and 6.7% (6.3%–7.0%) for Co, Cr and Ni, respectively. Data on sex, age, body piercings and atopic dermatitis in metalworkers with metal allergy was mostly lacking. Metal allergy to all three metals was significantly more common in European metalworkers with dermatitis attending patch test clinics as compared to ESSCA data, indicating a relationship to occupational exposures, however, confounders could not be accounted for.
Investigating the effectiveness of a well‐managed hatchery as a tool for hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) conservation
Authors: Evans Sean , Schulze Melissa Jane , Dunlop Stuart , Dunlop Bronwyn , McClelland James , Hodgkiss Rebecca , Brown Mark
Published: October 2022

The critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is of conservation concern worldwide. Conservation actions which act to reduce high levels of embryonic mortality aid to boost hatchling production. At Cousine Island, Seychelles, a mixed management method has been adopted to maximize the number of hatchlings entering the ocean. We examined the effectiveness of a hatchery at increasing hatching and emergence success from four seasons of data (2017–2021). Hatchery nests had significantly higher hatching and emergence success across all years relative to nests left in situ (i.e., natural), with inter‐annual variation observed. A greater percentage of in situ clutches was found to be influenced by both crab activity and predation as compared to relocated clutches. Overall, the mixed management approach increased hatching success (mean = 75.1%) relative to the various nest management techniques previously used (2004/2005–2016/2017; mean = 63.5%). By mitigating external influences such as tidal flooding, beach erosion, and crab activity/predation, this study provides evidence for the success of a hatchery in directly increasing hatchling recruitment. Strict and careful hatchery management as well as timely and efficient relocation procedures are needed to minimize potential negative effects of nest relocation.
Rectifying inequities in resource collection in young children
Authors: Sobel David M. , Blankenship Jayd , Yockel Mary Rose , Kamper David G.
Published: October 2022

Numerous studies have documented children's understanding of fairness through their ability to rectify inequities when distributing resources to others. Understanding fairness, however, involves more than just applying norms of equity when distributing resources. Children must also navigate situations in which resources are collected from them for a common good. The developmental origins and the trajectory of equitable resource collection are understudied in the literature on children's prosocial behavior. Experiment 1 presented 4‐ to 8‐year‐olds (N = 130) with characters who started with different amounts of resources that were available for both personal use and a group project in school. Participants were asked how a teacher should fairly collect resources from the two characters, contrasting the teacher taking the same amount of resources from each individual (preserving the inequity) or leaving each individual with the same amount of resources (rectifying the inequity). Four‐ and 5‐year‐olds responded randomly; 6‐ to 8‐year‐olds preferred to rectify the inequity. Experiment 2 reproduced this finding on a new group of 5‐ to 7‐year‐olds (N = 69), eliciting justifications for their choice. Justifications in terms of fairness related to equitable choices. Experiment 3 reproduced this finding again in a new group of 5‐ to 7‐year‐olds (N = 77), contrasting children's preference for equitable resource collection with that of resource distribution. Children were more likely to rectify an inequity when collecting resources than when distributing resources to individuals who started with an inequity. This difference was driven more by the younger children in the sample. We discuss potential mechanisms for these findings in terms of children's developing concepts of fairness.

Research Highlights

Across three experiments, children developed preferences for equitable collection of resources by age 6.

Preferences for equitable resource collection were more likely to be justified by appealing to concepts of fairness.

Although preferences for equitable resource collection emerged slightly before equitable resource distribution, these data suggest children develop a unified mechanism for prosocial resource allocation.
Psychological First Aid principles within a community‐led arts initiative: lessons from the Blacksmiths' Tree
Authors: Korndörffer Lilith , White Carolynne , Mackelprang Jessica L.
Published: October 2022

Psychological First Aid (PFA) is widely used in the early phases of disaster recovery, despite limited empirical evidence supporting its application. PFA aims to reduce distress and encourage adaptive coping and is grounded in five principles: the promotion of hope, self‐ and collective efficacy, social connectedness, safety, and calm. Drawing on a constructivist perspective, this study analysed interview transcripts from Forged from Fire: The Making of the Blacksmiths' Tree, a documentary film about a community‐led arts project initiated after the 2009 bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Using a reflexive process that employed deductive and inductive coding, the research investigated the presence of PFA principles in participants' experiences of the Blacksmiths' Tree project and whether themes not accounted for by PFA were also salient. The findings supported the PFA principles and generated two additional themes: grassroots and community leadership; and healing through creation and expression. The implications for disaster recovery in community settings are also presented.
Resistance to quambalaria shoot blight and myrtle rust in Corymbia calophylla seedlings
Authors: Duong Hoa T. , Pegg Geoff S. , Mazanec Richard , McComb Jen A. , Burgess Treena , Hardy Giles E. St. J.
Published: October 2022

Corymbia calophylla (marri), an endemic keystone tree species in southwest Western Australia, is increasingly impacted by the introduced basidiomycete smut Quambalaria pitereka. The basidiomycete rust Austropuccinia psidii (myrtle rust), an invasive pathogen recently introduced to Eastern Australia, is expected to spread to the southwest of Western Australia eventually. Austropuccinia psidii has similar epidemiology to Q. pitereka, and there is concern that C. calophylla may be susceptible. Preliminary pathogenicity tests showed significant differences in aggressiveness between twelve Q. pitereka isolates, and there was evidence of interactions between isolates and C. calophylla provenances. Seedlings from 59 open‐pollinated families from 11 provenances covering the natural range of marri were screened for resistance to Q. pitereka and A. psidii under controlled glasshouse conditions. Resistance of seedlings within provenances to Q. pitereka and A. psidii differed significantly. There was no significant correlation between resistance to Q. pitereka and resistance to A. psidii. Seedlings of provenances from wetter regions were more resistant to both pathogens, but the correlation coefficients were insignificant. Seedlings of four families in three provenances (Serpentine, Chidlow, and Kingston) showed 100% resistance to Q. pitereka. Narrow‐sense heritability estimates were 0.07 for quambalaria shoot blight resistance and 0.34 for myrtle rust resistance. The results indicate the potential to use selected families/individuals resistant to Q. pitereka and A. psidii for tree improvement programs and adaptive management strategies.
Screening of Persea borbonia clones for resistance to the laurel wilt pathogen, Raffaelea lauricola
Authors: Hughes Marc A. , Smith Katherine E. , Sims Andrew , Zhang Junli , Held Benjamin W. , Blanchette Robert A. , Smith Jason A.
Published: October 2022

Laurel wilt, caused by the fungus Raffaelea lauricola, has caused widespread mortality to Persea borbonia across the southeastern United States. The invasive ambrosia beetle vector of the pathogen, Xyleborus glabratus, attacks and infects trees, leaving only P. borbonia seedlings, saplings, and stump sprouts in heavily affected areas. To facilitate mitigation of this ecological damage, we initiated a screening program for laurel wilt disease resistance. We established circular field plots (0.08 hectare) in six significantly impacted sites, measured laurel wilt epidemiological characteristics, and selected 61 survivor P. borbonia ortets (≥7.5 cm diameter at breast height [DBH]) for vegetative propagation, screening, and monitoring. Disease incidence in the plots ranged from 50% to 87% of P. borbonia stems thicker than 2.5 cm DBH and ortet survival per site ranged from 0% to 70% a decade after initial selection. Clonal ramets from 38 survivor ortets were out planted and screened for resistance to R. lauricola in a series of field inoculation trials. Results indicate variable levels of host susceptibility and suggest rare individuals exist with tolerance to R. lauricola. Scanning electron microscopy imaging of xylem samples from three infected P. borbonia clones suggests that reduced tylose production and granular deposition in xylem lumina are associated with increased resistance to R. lauricola. Results from this study will aid in the selection of disease‐resistant P. borbonia germplasm for restoration plantings in affected sites and provide new insights into the host–pathogen interaction of this deadly vascular disease.
Phenotype of BTK‐lacking myeloid cells during prolonged COVID‐19 and upon convalescent plasma
Authors: Gomes André M. C. , Farias Guilherme B. , Trombetta Amelia C. , Godinho‐Santos Ana , Parreira Inês , Gonçalves Hélder Diogo , Simões Mariana Lessa , Aguiar Patrício , Deveza Maria Manuel , Inácio João , Sousa Ana E. , da Silva Susana Lopes
Published: October 2022

XLA patient with 7‐month course of COVID‐19 with persistent plasma SARS‐CoV‐2 load revealed a sustained non‐inflammatory profile of myeloid cells in association with contained severity of disease, arguing in favor of the use of BTK inhibitors in SARS‐COV‐2 infection.
Effect of ceftriaxone on intestinal transit time
Authors: Arpacık Mehmet , Yıldız Zeliha Akış
Published: October 2022

Ceftriaxone reduces gallbladder and ileal contractility. Many studies have shown that ceftriaxone causes biliary sludge and pseudolithiasis. However, its effect on intestinal transit time has not been investigated. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ceftriaxone on intestinal transit time. Sixteen rats were examined in two groups: The study group (group A, n = 8) was administered with 100 mg/kg ceftriaxone intramuscularly for 7 days. The control group (group B, n = 8) was administered with intramuscular distilled water for 7 days. On the seventh day, a mixture of 2 ml barium and saline was given orally to both groups. Barium transit was evaluated using serial digital X‐ray images. The stomach was full and the transition into the small intestine loop was observed in all rats at 45 min in both groups. At the 2nd hour, colonic transition was observed in two rats in group A (2/8, 25%) and in seven rats in group B (7/8, 87.5%). At the 4th hour, five (62.5%) rats in group A had transverse colonic transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had transverse and/or left colonic transition. At the 6th hour, no rat in group A had rectal transition, and all rats in group B (8/8, 100%) had complete passage of colonic contrast material. Ceftriaxone significantly prolongs the small intestine transit time, large intestine transit time, and total intestinal transit times.
Bayesian optimized collection strategies for fatigue strength testing
Authors: Magazzeni Christopher Massimo , Rose Rory , Gearhart Chris , Gong Jicheng , Wilkinson Angus J.
Published: October 2022

A statistical framework is presented enabling optimal sampling and analysis of constant life fatigue data. Protocols using Bayesian maximum entropy sampling are built based on conventional staircase and stress step methods, reducing the requirement of prior knowledge for data collection. The Bayesian Staircase method shows improved parameter estimation efficiency, and the Bayesian Stress Step method shows equal accuracy to the standard method at larger step size allowing experimentalists to lessen concerns of loading history. Statistical methods for determining model suitability are shown, highlighting the influence of protocol. Experimental validation is performed, showing the applicability of the methods in laboratory testing.
Mediating role of cognitive status on performance in the two‐minute step test and its normative data among Malaysian community‐dwelling older persons
Authors: Ibrahim Azianah , Singh Devinder Kaur Ajit , Mat Sumaiyah , Mat Ludin Arimi Fitri , Shahar Suzana
Published: October 2022

Introduction

The two‐minute step test (2MST) has been used to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness and optimum scores are needed for performing activities of daily living with ease among older persons. However, there is limited information on the mediating role of cognitive impairment on 2MST performance and the 2MST normative data. Hence, we aim to identify the mediating role of cognitive status on performance in the 2MST among community‐dwelling older adults and to establish the normative values of the 2MST.

Methods

Participants aged 60 years and above were recruited through multistage random sampling from four states in Malaysia. The participants performed the 2MST using standard protocols. Mean comparison was done using an independent sample t‐test or one‐way analysis of variance. The 2MST normative values were then outlined descriptively.

Results

Older age groups (60–69 years: 65.4 ± 21.9 times; 70–79 years: 61.7 ± 22.9 times; ≥80 years: 51.6 ± 24.5 times) had significantly lower levels of 2MST performance (p < 0.001). Women (56.6 ± 20.9 times) and participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (58.7 ± 21.7 times) also had significantly lower levels of 2MST performance (p < 0.001) compared with men (69.1 ± 20.7 times) and participants with normal cognition (63.7 ± 21.6 times). Cognitive status had a significant mediation effect for age and sex on 2MST performance (p < 0.001). Therefore, the 2MST normative values were stratified according to cognitive status, sex, and age groups.

Conclusion

Validation of these findings in a larger number of older populations with MCI may provide directions for cardiorespiratory fitness training to be emphasised among older persons with MCI. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 950–955.
Low‐grade oncocytic tumour of the kidney is characterised by genetic alterations of TSC1, TSC2, MTOR or PIK3CA and consistent GATA3 positivity
Authors: Williamson Sean R , Hes Ondrej , Trpkov Kiril , Aggarwal Aditi , Satapathy Abhishek , Mishra Sourav , Sharma Shivani , Sangoi Ankur , Cheng Liang , Akgul Mahmut , Idrees Muhammad , Levin Albert , Sadasivan Sudha , San Miguel Fraile Pilar , Rogala Joanna , Comperat Eva , Berney Daniel M , Bulimbasic Stela , McKenney Jesse K , Jha Shilpy , Sampat Nakul Y , Mohanty Sambit K
Published: October 2022

Low‐grade oncocytic tumour (LOT) of the kidney has recently emerged as a potential novel tumour type. Despite similarity to oncocytoma or eosinophilic chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, it shows diffuse keratin 7 immunohistochemistry (IHC) and negative KIT (CD117), which differs from both. We aimed to identify the molecular characteristics of these tumours. Seventeen tumours (one male, 16 female, nine previously published) fitting the original description of this entity (solid eosinophilic cell morphology, often with areas of tumour cells loosely stretched in oedematous stroma, and the above IHC features) were analysed with a next‐generation sequencing panel of 324 cancer‐associated genes from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue. All tumours harboured at least one alteration in either TSC1 (n = 7, 41%), TSC2 (n = 2, 12%), MTOR (n = 5, 29%) or PIK3CA (n = 4, 24%). Four tumours harboured a second alteration, including two NF2, one each in conjunction with MTOR and TSC2 alterations, one PTEN with TSC1 alteration and one tumour with both MTOR and TSC1 alterations. No other renal cancer‐related or recurring gene alterations were identified. In addition to the previously described IHC findings, 16 of 16 were positive for GATA3. Eleven patients with follow‐up had no metastases or recurrent tumours. Recurrent tuberous sclerosis/MTOR pathway gene alterations in LOT support its consideration as a distinct morphological, immunohistochemical and genetic entity. PIK3CA is another pathway member that may be altered in these tumours. Further study will be necessary to determine whether tumour behaviour or syndromic associations differ from those of oncocytoma and chromophobe carcinoma, warranting different clinical consideration.
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma may be devoid of squamoid cells by immunohistochemistry: expanding the histologic and immunohistochemical spectrum of MAML2‐ rearranged salivary gland tumours
Authors: Bishop Justin A , Thompson Lester D R , Siegele Bradford , Gagan Jeffrey , Mansour Mena , Chernock Rebecca D , Rooper Lisa M
Published: October 2022

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is historically defined by a mix of squamoid, intermediate, and mucous cells, but we have recently encountered several cases lacking immunoreactivity for squamous markers p40, p63, and CK5/6 despite MAML2 fusions. This study will characterise these unique tumours. Ten MEC were collected arising from the parotid gland (n = 4), submandibular gland (n = 2), nasopharynx (n = 1), base of tongue (n = 1), bronchus (n = 1), and trachea (n = 1). Six tumours were low‐grade, two intermediate‐grade, one high‐grade, and one demonstrated low‐grade areas with high‐grade transformation. Four cases were oncocytic, four had clear‐cell features, two had spindle cell features, and one high‐grade MEC had prominent solid, cord‐like, and micropapillary features. The tumours were negative for p40 (10/10), p63 (10/10), and CK5/6 (9/9). Targeted RNA sequencing demonstrated CRTC1::MAML2 in five cases, CRTC3::MAML2 in two, and a novel MAML2::CEP126 in the unusual high‐grade case. In two cases with insufficient RNA, MAML2 fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) showed rearrangement. Genetically‐confirmed MEC may lack overt squamous differentiation by histology and immunohistochemistry. While most cases harboured canonical fusions and fit within the spectra of MEC variants with oncocytic, clear cell, and/or spindle cell features, one had a novel MAML2::CEP126 fusion and unusual morphology. In MEC without squamoid cells, the use of immunohistochemistry may hinder, rather than aid, the correct diagnosis. In such cases, MAML2 analysis is most useful. The historical definition of MEC as a carcinoma with squamoid, intermediate and mucous cells should be revisited.
Gut microbiota may mediate the impact of chronic apical periodontitis on atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E‐deficient mice
Authors: Gan Guowu , Zhang Ren , Lu Beibei , Luo Yufang , Chen Shuai , Lei Huaxiang , Li Yijun , Cai Zhiyu , Huang Xiaojing
Published: October 2022

Aim

There are growing evidences linking chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) to atherosclerosis. Gut microbiota is found to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that CAP could change the diversity and composition of the gut microbiota. It was therefore, we hypothesized that gut microbiota and its metabolites could mediate the impact of CAP on atherosclerosis.

Methodology

Twenty‐four 5‐week‐old lipoprotein E knockout (apoE−/−) mice were randomly divided into four groups: the CAP group, Con group, Co‐CAP (cohoused with CAP) and Co‐Con (cohoused with Con) group. In the CAP group, sterile cotton wool containing P. gingivalis was placed into the exposed pulp chamber, followed by coronal resin‐based composite restoration of the bilateral maxillary first and second molars. In the Con group, a sham operation was performed. Biweekly, mice in the CAP group were anaesthetised to check the sealing of coronal access. Meanwhile, the animals in the Con group were anaesthetised. The cohousing approach was used to introduce gut microbiota from the CAP and Con groups into the Co‐CAP and Co‐Con groups, respectively. Alterations in the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota were detected using 16S rRNA sequencing, Oil‐red O staining was used to demonstrate the extent of lesions, and serum levels of trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO), and immunohistochemistry of flavin‐containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) in liver were used to assess TMAO‐related metabolic alterations.

Results

Alterations of alpha and beta diversity were shown both in the CAP and the Co‐CAP groups. Moreover, the percentage of atherosclerotic lesion area increased in the CAP and Co‐CAP groups (p < .05). Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) at the family level found the increases of Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae (p < .05), which were positively correlated with serum TMAO levels (p < .05). In the redundancy analysis technique (RDA), serum levels of TMAO were positively associated with the atherosclerotic lesions. Co‐occurrence analysis revealed that the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae and Porphyromonadacae were positively correlated with both the percentage of lesion area and TMAO level (p < .05).

Conclusion

Thus, within the limitations of this study, the data suggest that the gut microbiota can mediate the effects of CAP on atherosclerosis.
Change in fatty acid composition of plasma triglyceride caused by a 2 week comprehensive risk management for diabetes: A prospective observational study of type 2 diabetes patients with supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry‐based semi‐target lipidomic analysis
Authors: Taya Naohiro , Katakami Naoto , Omori Kazuo , Hosoe Shigero , Watanabe Hirotaka , Takahara Mitsuyoshi , Miyashita Kazuyuki , Nishizawa Hitoshi , Konya Yutaka , Obara Sachiko , Hidaka Ayako , Nakao Motonao , Takahashi Masatomo , Izumi Yoshihiro , Shimomura Iichiro , Bamba Takeshi
Published: October 2022

Aims/Introduction

Hypertriglyceridemia is common in patients with diabetes. Although the fatty acid (FA) composition of triglycerides (TGs) is suggested to be related to the pathology of diabetes and its complications, changes in the fatty acid composition caused by diabetes treatment remain unclear. This study aimed to identify short‐term changes in the fatty acid composition of plasma triglycerides after diabetes treatment.

Materials and Methods

This study was a sub‐analysis of a prospective observational study of patients with type 2 diabetes aged between 20 and 75 years who were hospitalized to improve glycemic control (n = 31). A lipidomic analysis of plasma samples on the 2nd and 16th hospital days was conducted by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Results

In total, 104 types of triglycerides with different compositions were identified. Most of them tended to decrease after treatment. In particular, triglycerides with a lower carbon number and fewer double bonds showed a relatively larger reduction. The inclusion of FA 14:0 (myristic acid), as a constituent of triglyceride, was significantly associated with a more than 50%, and statistically significant, reduction (odds ratio 39.0; P < 0.001). The total amount of FA 14:0 as a constituent of triglycerides also decreased significantly, and its rate of decrease was the greatest of all the fatty acid constituents.

Conclusions

A 2 week comprehensive risk management for diabetes resulted in decreased levels of plasma triglycerides and a change in the fatty acid composition of triglycerides, characterized by a relatively large reduction in FA 14:0 as a constituent of triglycerides.
Effectiveness and safety of anti‐tau drugs for Alzheimer's disease: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zheng Xiaoyan , Tang Yuyuan , Yang Qinghui , Wang Shuting , Chen Rouhao , Tao Chenyang , Zhang Peiming , Fan Baochao , Zhan Jie , Tang Chunzhi , Lu Liming
Published: October 2022

Objective

To assess the cognitive effectiveness and safety of tau‐targeting drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD)

Methods

The MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, ClinicalTrials.gov, and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform databases were searched from inception to 22 November 2021. A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials were performed

Results

Thirty‐four randomized controlled trials comprising 5549 participants, of which fifteen (51.7%) had a low risk of bias, were included. The meta‐analysis showed no differences in the cognitive subscale of the AD: Assessment Scale (ADAS‐Cog) between anti‐tau drugs and placebo (mean difference [MD]: −0.77, 95% CI: −1.64 to 0.10; minimal important difference 3.1–3.8 points, moderate certainty evidence). For ADAS‐Cog, the results subgroup analysis suggested a statistical effect of tau posttranslational modifications on drug inhibition (MD: −0.80, 95% CI: −1.43 to −0.17), which was not seen with tau aggregation inhibitors or immunotherapy (interaction p = 0.24). A total of 11.0%, 5.2%, and 4.8% of drugs inhibiting tau aggregation, immunotherapy, and drugs targeting posttranslational modifications, respectively, had a reduced risk of dropouts due to adverse events (AEs).

Discussion

Current evidence suggests that anti‐tau drugs are unlikely to have an important impact on slowing cognitive impairment. Although the subgroup analysis suggested that inhibition of tau posttranslational modifications is statistically effective and generally safer because of reduced dropouts due to AEs, the analysis has limited credibility. Additional large‐scale and well‐designed randomized and placebo‐controlled trials will be necessary to explore the benefit of a certain type of anti‐tau drug for AD.
Association of lymph node metastases, grade and extent of mesenteric lymph node dissection in locoregional small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors with recurrence‐free survival
Authors: Daskalakis Kosmas , Wedin Maria , Tsoli Marina , Kogut Angelika , Srirajaskanthan Raj , Sarras Konstantinos , Kattiparambil Sajith , Giovos George , Weickert Martin O. , Kos‐Kudla Beata , Kaltsas Gregory
Published: October 2022

We aimed to assess the prognostic impact of tumor‐ and patient‐related parameters in patients with stage I–III small intestinal neuroendocrine tumors (SI‐NETs), who underwent locoregional resective surgery (LRS) with curative intent. We included 229 patients with stage I–III SI‐NETs diagnosed from June 15, 1993, through March 8, 2021, identified using the SI‐NET databases from five European referral centers. Mean ± SD age at baseline was 62.5 ± 13.6 years; 111/229 patients were women (49.3%). All tumors were well‐differentiated; 160 were grade 1 (G1) tumors, 51 were G2, two were G3 and 18 tumors were of unspecified grade (median Ki‐67: 2%, range 1%–50%). One‐hundred and sixty‐three patients (71.2%) had lymph node (LN) involvement. The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 10 (0–63), whereas the median number of positive LNs was 2 (0–43). After a mean ± SD follow‐up of 54.1 ± 64.1 months, 60 patients experienced disease recurrence at a median (range) of 36.2 (2.5–285.1) months. The 5‐ and 10‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rates were 66.6% and 49.3% respectively. In univariable analysis, there was no difference in RFS and overall survival (OS) between LN‐positive and LN‐negative patients (log‐rank, p = .380 and .198, respectively). However, in stage IIIb patients who underwent mesenteric lymph node dissection (MLND) with a minimum of five retrieved LN (n = 125), five or more LN metastases were associated with shorter RFS (median RFS [95% CI] = 107.4 [0–229.6] vs. 73.7 [35.3–112.1] months; log‐rank, p = .048). In addition, patients with G2 tumors exhibited shorter RFS compared to patients with G1 tumors (median RFS [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 46.9 [36.4–57.3] vs. 120.7 [82.7–158.8] months; log‐rank, p = .001). In multivariable Cox‐regression RFS analysis in stage IIIb patients, the Ki‐67 proliferation index (hazard ratio = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.035–1.131; p < .0001) and the number of LN metastases (hazard ratio = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.001–1.125; p = .047) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. In conclusion, LRS with a meticulous MLND and a minimum number of five harvested LNs appears to be critical in the surgical management of SI‐NET patients with locoregional disease. In patients who underwent LRS and MLND, the Ki‐67 proliferation index and the LN metastases count were independent predictors of RFS.
Sexual dimorphism in human midfacial growth patterns from newborn to 5 years old based on computed tomography
Authors: Syutkina Taisiya , Anikin Anatoliy , Satanin Leonid , Evteev Andrej
Published: October 2022

Recent studies have supported the presence and varying nature of craniofacial sexual dimorphism (SD) from the very first stages of ontogeny. But the exact patterns of between‐sex differences during the first years of life remain obscure despite the importance of these data for craniofacial surgery treatment and forensic studies. Our study employs a large dataset of clinical computed tomography scans of individuals of East Slavonic descent from birth to 5 years of age (247 males and 184 females) to address the pattern of age‐related between‐sex differences in 22 linear measurements of the mid‐face. At birth, SD of most dimensions is low, but it increases significantly during the first year of life. The level of SD of most variables fluctuates in both directions during the second year and peaks during the third and fourth years of life. During the sixth year, SD of about half of the variables markedly decreases. In adults, SD of all variables increases, but to a very different extent: from 2% to 13%. Most sexually dimorphic features of the facial skeleton begin to develop early in postnatal ontogeny and then may or may not become accentuated during puberty. Importantly, the patterns of age changes in the level of SD differ strongly between various dimensions, and so cannot be expressed by a single value for the whole face. Additionally, the level of SD for a particular variable is not ontogenetically stable during the first years of life.
Inefficient Screening in Online Rental Markets*
Authors: Kirysheva Irina , Nora Vladyslav
Published: October 2022

We study a home rental market where hosts compete in prices and decide which guests to accept. Such screening results in inefficiently many rejections and can reduce welfare. In a unique symmetric equilibrium, hosts randomize over prices so that it may be unprofitable for them to accept some efficient trades. Moreover, every equilibrium is inefficient when there are few hosts. We further show that screening increases welfare when there are enough hosts or when the potential loss of surplus from inefficient trades is high. We discuss the implications of our findings to online platforms such as Airbnb and HomeAway.
Real‐world evidence for the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in reduction of total and cause‐specific mortality
Authors: Sha Sha , Nguyen Thi Mai Ngoc , Kuznia Sabine , Niedermaier Tobias , Zhu Anna , Brenner Hermann , Schöttker Ben
Published: October 2022

Background

Meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for reduced cancer mortality, all‐cause mortality, and respiratory tract infections. However, whether and to what extent this translates into effectiveness in real‐world practice is unknown.

Methods

We assessed the association of vitamin D supplement use (as an over‐the‐counter drug or as part of a multivitamin product), vitamin D deficiency (25‐hydroxyvitamin D, 25[OH]D <30 nmol/L), and insufficiency (25[OH]D 30 to <50 nmol/L) with all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in 445,601 participants, aged 40–73 years, from the UK Biobank cohort.

Results

A total of 4.3% and a further 20.4% of the study participants reported regularly taking vitamin D or multivitamin supplements, respectively. Still, the majority had either vitamin D deficiency (21.0%) or insufficiency (34.3%). We detected 49 independent determinants of vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D supplement use and used them to adjust Cox regression models for all mortality outcomes. A total of 29,107 (6.5%) participants died during a median follow‐up time of 11.8 years. Both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were strongly associated with all mortality outcomes. Self‐reported vitamin D supplement use (83% over‐the‐counter/17% prescription drugs) and multivitamin intake were significantly associated with 10% and 5% lower all‐cause mortality, respectively. Furthermore, regular vitamin D supplement users had 11%, 11%, and 29% lower cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease mortality than nonusers, respectively (not significant for cardiovascular disease mortality).

Conclusion

This large study suggests that in the real world, the efficacy of vitamin D supplements in reducing mortality may be at least as good as observed in RCTs.
Oncostatin M receptor is overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma and connected to poor prognosis
Authors: Geng Qifeng , Wang Jing , Zhang Wei , Zhou Wei , Tang Genxiong , Gu Mingyan
Published: October 2022

Background

Oncostatin M receptor is an interleukin 6 receptor with great influence on inflammation and cancer progression. However, the function of oncostatin M receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma remains unknown.

Methods

Oncostatin M receptor expression was explored with TIMER and TCGA databases. The mRNA and protein expressions of oncostatin M receptor were detected in oral tissues. The association between oncostatin M receptor expression and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed, and the prognostic value of oncostatin M receptor was determined. Immune statues of oncostatin M receptor were analyzed by TIMER and TISIDB. The underlying mechanisms of oncostatin M receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma was also explored preliminarily.

Results

Oncostatin M receptor was dysregulated in many cancers. Both mRNA and protein levels of oncostatin M receptor in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissues were significantly higher than that in normal oral tissues. Oncostatin M receptor expression was connected to differentiation, lymph node metastasis, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, perineural invasion and vascular invasion. Oncostatin M receptor expression was an independent prognostic factor associated with overall survivals. Oncostatin M receptor expression was significantly related to CD8+ T cell and interleukin 6 receptor. High oncostatin M receptor expression was associated with focal adhesion, extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor interaction, and JAK/STAT signaling pathway.

Conclusion

Oncostatin M receptor was overexpressed in oral squamous cell carcinoma and related to overall survival. Oncostatin M receptor expression has potential to become an effective prognostic biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients.