bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathways From Childhood Sociomoral Sensitivity in Friendship, Insecurity, and Peer Rejection to Adult Friendship Quality
Authors: Steinhoff Annekatrin , Keller Monika
Published: July 2020

Across the life span, friendship is an important component of people’s support networks. This article explores the developmental roots of adult friendship intimacy and satisfaction, taking into consideration the early interplay between sociomoral sensitivity in friendship, insecurity in peer contexts, and peer rejection. Data (N = 176) came from the longitudinal study “Individual Development and Social Structure.” Respondents were surveyed repeatedly from age 7 to 37 years. Autoregressive cross‐lagged panel models show that sociomoral sensitivity in friendship protects adolescents from peer rejection and is reciprocally associated with insecurity. Childhood and adolescent sociomoral sensitivity antecede early adult friendship intimacy, which, in turn, antecedes friendship satisfaction in mid‐adulthood. The findings indicate a sequence of pathways from sociomoral sensitivity developed early in life to friendship quality in adulthood.
Perceived influences on smoking behaviour and perceptions of dentist‐delivered smoking cessation advice: A qualitative interview study
Authors: Holliday Richard , McColl Elaine , Bauld Linda , Preshaw Philip M. , Sniehotta Falko F. , McDonald Suzanne
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Many factors lead to the commencement and maintenance of smoking, and better understanding of these is relevant in the management of oral health, particularly as smoking cessation advice (SCA) from the dental team is a key component of patient care. Whereas most previous research has focused on dental professionals’ perceptions of providing SCA, and identified facilitators and barriers to its provision, there has been more limited research focusing on patients’ perceptions of receiving SCA in the dental context. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the views of smokers with periodontitis receiving dentist‐delivered SCA.

Methods

One‐to‐one, semi‐structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 28 adults who smoked tobacco and had recently received SCA during dentist‐delivered periodontal therapy. Participants were sampled to reflect a range of ages and smoking behaviours. The interview schedule was based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore perceived influences on smoking behaviour. Interviews also elicited participants’ views on dentist‐delivered SCA. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically, drawing on the TDF.

Results

A broad range of perceived influences on smoking behaviour emerged from the data. Influences were allocated into seven prominent TDF domains: (i) social influences (family and friends, social pressures); (ii) social/professional role and identity (secret smoking); (iii) knowledge (experiences/perceptions of smoking cessation medications); (iv) environmental context and resources (social, home and workplace environment, cost of smoking, resentment towards authority); (v) emotions (stress management, pleasure of smoking and fear of quitting); (vi) nature of the behaviour (habitual nature, link to other behaviours, smell); and (vii) beliefs about consequences (health). With regard to views on dentist‐delivered SCA, five main themes emerged: (i) opportunistic nature; (ii) personal impact and tangible prompts; (iii) positive context of cessation attempt; (iv) lack of previous support; and (v) differences between dentist‐delivered SCA and other setting SCA.

Conclusions

Smokers with periodontitis consider that a wide range of factors influence their smoking behaviour. Dentist‐delivered SCA was supported and positively received. Important aspects included the opportunistic nature, personal impact, use of tangible prompts and positive context (of the quit attempt). Future research should focus on optimizing dentist‐led smoking cessation intervention based on the themes identified.
Are category labels primary? Children use similarities to reason about social groups
Authors: Jordan Ashley , Dunham Yarrow
Published: July 2020

While interpersonal similarities impact young children's peer judgments, little work has assessed whether they also guide group‐based reasoning. A common assumption has been that category labels rather than ‘mere’ similarities are unique constituents of such reasoning; the present work challenges this. Children (ages 3–9) viewed groups defined by category labels or shared preferences, and their social inferences were assessed. By age 5, children used both types of information to licence predictions about preferences (Study 1, n = 129) and richer forms of coalitional structure (Study 2, n = 205). Low‐level explanations could not account for this pattern (Study 3, n = 72). Finally, older but not younger children privileged labelled categories when they were pitted against similarity (Study 4, n = 51). These studies show that young children use shared preferences to reason about relationships and coalitional structure, suggesting that similarities are central to the emergence of group representations.
Pursuit to Post: Ethical issues of social media use by international medical volunteers
Authors: Tabb Zachary , Hyle Laurel , Haq Heather
Published: July 2020

Medical volunteers from high‐income countries seek short‐term global health experiences in low‐ and middle‐income countries to learn and practice medicine, complete service‐learning projects, conduct research, and burnish their curricula vitae. The uniqueness and poignancy of these global health experiences frequently compel medical volunteers to not only capture visual reminders of their experience but to share them online through social media. Prioritizing image creation and sharing, which center on the volunteer’s priorities over patient‐centered priorities, risks failing to acknowledge the ethical issues inherent in power imbalances between the medical volunteers, patients, hosts, organizational partners and others, and bypasses the values of the host community. Using social media as an example of an emerging ethical challenge in the context of short‐term experiences in global health, the authors examine potential consequences for patients, host communities, and international partnerships and discuss important pre‐posting considerations.
Transition welfare gaps: One closed, another to follow?
Authors: Obrizan Maksym
Published: July 2020

Respondents from post‐communist countries have been found to systematically report lower levels of happiness and self‐rated health. While the first welfare gap in happiness has closed recently, the second transition gap in self‐perceived health only started to close. Specifically, this paper shows that treating all transition countries as a homogeneous group may be misleading and therefore divides 28 transition countries into three groups. As a result, in the most recent 2016 round of the ‘Life in Transition’ survey, transition countries in Southern Europe are no longer found to be different from non‐transition nations in terms of their self‐rated health. Although the gap in self‐perceived health for transition nations in Eastern Europe is present in a basic model, it becomes less statistically and economically significant when subjective beliefs and macro‐level variables are added. Countries from the former Soviet Union and Mongolia remain the only group in which respondents report 16.5%–29.1% lower probability of ‘Good’ or ‘Very Good’ health compared to other transition and non‐transition countries. Controlling for communist party membership, ideological beliefs and macro‐level variables somewhat reduces the gap for the former Soviet Union and Mongolia but it remains significant in multiple robustness checks. Although the gap in self‐rated health now applies to only one group of transition countries, it remains an important empirical puzzle with far‐reaching implications for health policy, demand for healthcare and the process of transition.
Wealth inequality in Central and Eastern Europe: Evidence from household survey and rich lists’ data combined*
Authors: Brzeziński Michał , Sałach Katarzyna , Wroński Marcin
Published: July 2020

We study how the problem of the ‘missing rich’, the underrepresentation of the wealthiest in household surveys, affects wealth inequality estimates for the post‐socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The survey data from the second wave of the Household Finance and Consumption Survey (HFCS) are joined with the data from the national rich lists for Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Poland and Slovakia. Pareto distribution is fitted to the joined survey and rich lists’ data to impute the missing observations for the largest wealth values. We provide the first estimates of the top‐corrected wealth inequality for the CEE region in 2013/2014. Despite a short period of wealth accumulation during the post‐1989 market economy period, our adjustment procedure reveals that wealth inequality in the Baltic countries is comparable to that of Germany (one of the most wealth‐unequal countries in Europe), while in Poland and Hungary it has reached levels observed in France or Spain. We discuss possible explanations of these findings with reference to the speed and range of privatization processes, extent of income inequality, and the role of inheritances and wealth taxes in the region.
Exclusive Talent Management: Unveiling the Mechanisms of the Construction of an Elite Community
Authors: Bonneton Domitille , Festing Marion , Muratbekova‐Touron Maral
Published: July 2020

This paper aims at contributing to the talent management (TM) and organisation research fields by investigating the mechanisms of elite construction through an exclusive TM programme in a multinational company (MNC). We conducted an exploratory single‐case study in an MNC operating in more than 15 countries, by interviewing HR managers as representatives of top management and participants in a TM programme in seven countries. Other data sources included non‐participant observation and the use of internal and external documents. Our results show that talents develop a common elite identity based on exclusiveness, and additionally they gain access to resources and privileges through the mechanisms of performing rituals, acculturation through symbols, preferential treatment, social networking and the acquisition of insider knowledge. Furthermore, those employees identified as talents organise themselves in a closed, elite community. These results are summarised in a theory‐based framework explaining the building of an elite through exclusive TM.
Current and emerging treatments targeting the neuroendocrine system for disorders of the skin and its appendages
Authors: Soeberdt Michael , Kilic Ana , Abels Christoph
Published: July 2020

The skin as a neuroendocrine organ and the role of neuroendocrine signalling in the development of disorders affecting the skin and its appendages has received increasing attention in the last years. Different neuroendocrine systems have been described in the barrier organ skin, including the thyroid system, the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis, the opioid, the endocannabinoid, the cholinergic, the secosteroidogenic and the serotonergic systems. All of these systems have been implicated in the development of skin diseases, which often have an inflammatory origin. These discoveries have led to an increase in the development of new drugs targeting components of neuroendocrine signalling pathways. Additionally, attempts have been made to repurpose already approved drugs targeting neuroendocrine signalling pathways in other organs for the treatment of skin diseases. Recently published results from preclinical and clinical studies look promising and may offer improved therapies to patients suffering from skin diseases in the near future. In this review, from a pharmaceutical point of view, we focus on recent progress in synthetic drug development of compounds targeting neuroendocrine signalling in the skin and its appendages to treat skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, alopecia areata and hyperhidrosis.
Eicosanoid biosynthesis in marine mammals
Authors: Reisch Florian , Kakularam Kumar Reddy , Stehling Sabine , Heydeck Dagmar , Kuhn Hartmut
Published: July 2020

After 300 million years of evolution, the first land‐living mammals reentered the marine environment some 50 million years ago. The driving forces for this dramatic lifestyle change are still a matter of discussion but the struggle for food resources and the opportunity to escape predators probably contributed. Reentering the oceans requires metabolic adaption putting evolutionary pressure on a number of genes. To explore whether eicosanoid signaling has been part of this adaptive response, we first explored whether the genomes of marine mammals involve functional genes encoding for key enzymes of eicosanoid biosynthesis. Cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (ALOX) genes are present in the genome of all marine mammals tested. Interestingly, ALOX12B, which has been implicated in skin development of land‐living mammals, is lacking in whales and dolphins and genes encoding for its sister enzyme (ALOXE3) involve premature stop codons and/or frameshifting point mutations, which interrupt the open reading frames. ALOX15 orthologs have been detected in all marine mammals, and the recombinant enzymes exhibit similar catalytic properties as those of land‐living species. All marine mammals express arachidonic acid 12‐lipoxygenating ALOX15 orthologs, and these data are consistent with the Evolutionary Hypothesis of ALOX15 specificity. These enzymes exhibit membrane oxygenase activity and introduction of big amino acids at the triad positions altered the reaction specificity in favor of arachidonic acid 15‐lipoxygenation. Thus, the ALOX15 orthologs of marine mammals follow the Triad concept explaining their catalytic specificity.
Fatigue analysis of graphene oxide papers fabricated under various processing parameters
Authors: Liu Hsien‐Kuang , Hwang Shun‐Fa , Yang Shih‐Hung , Lei Chung‐Hsiang
Published: July 2020

The effects of processing parameters on fatigue lives of graphene oxide papers (GOP) and reduced GOP (RGOP) are investigated. The fabrication method could be either vacuum filtration or pressure filtration, and the important processing parameters include graphene weight fraction in suspension, sonication time for suspension and pressure value for pressure filtration. Fatigue performance of the papers are studied by strain‐controlled fatigue test. Under vacuum filtration method, fatigue lives of both GOP and RGOP decrease with increasing graphene weight fraction. The longest fatigue life is 403 284 cycles for the GOP under highest power sonication time and lowest graphene weight fraction. Fatigue lives of most GOP increase with increasing sonication time up to medium level. Under pressure filtration method, all GOP have shorter fatigue lives than those by vacuum filtration. Scanning electron microscopy is employed to carefully analyse the failed papers in order to clarify the fatigue failure mechanism.
Industry tournament incentives and stock price crash risk
Authors: Kubick Thomas R. , Lockhart G. Brandon
Published: July 2020

Theoretical and empirical studies argue that managerial hoarding of negative firm‐specific information can result in large negative stock price corrections once the accumulated information is revealed. A managerial labor market with tournament‐like progression provides managers with the incentive to withhold negative information. We find that chief executive officers with stronger incentives to progress in the managerial labor market tournament have significantly greater stock price crash risk, consistent with a greater propensity for these executives to withhold negative firm‐specific information. The empirical patterns that we document suggest a negative externality to the positive incentive effects provided by the managerial labor market.
Unfamiliar partnerships limit cnidarian holobiont acclimation to warming
Authors: Herrera Marcela , Klein Shannon G. , Schmidt‐Roach Sebastian , Campana Sara , Cziesielski Maha J. , Chen Jit Ern , Duarte Carlos M. , Aranda Manuel
Published: July 2020

Enhancing the resilience of corals to rising temperatures is now a matter of urgency, leading to growing efforts to explore the use of heat tolerant symbiont species to improve their thermal resilience. The notion that adaptive traits can be retained by transferring the symbionts alone, however, challenges the holobiont concept, a fundamental paradigm in coral research. Holobiont traits are products of a specific community (holobiont) and all its co‐evolutionary and local adaptations, which might limit the retention or transference of holobiont traits by exchanging only one partner. Here we evaluate how interchanging partners affect the short‐ and long‐term performance of holobionts under heat stress using clonal lineages of the cnidarian model system Aiptasia (host and Symbiodiniaceae strains) originating from distinct thermal environments. Our results show that holobionts from more thermally variable environments have higher plasticity to heat stress, but this resilience could not be transferred to other host genotypes through the exchange of symbionts. Importantly, our findings highlight the role of the host in determining holobiont productivity in response to thermal stress and indicate that local adaptations of holobionts will likely limit the efficacy of interchanging unfamiliar compartments to enhance thermal tolerance.
Careful history taking detects initially unknown underlying causes of aspiration pneumonia
Authors: Yoshimatsu Yuki , Tobino Kazunori , Ko Yuki , Yasuda Mina , Ide Hiromi , Oku Yoshitaka
Published: July 2020

Aim

The majority of pneumonia in the elderly is attributed to aspiration. Identifying the cause of aspiration is essential for efficient treatment and prevention. However, the methodology on how to investigate the causes is not established. Therefore, we studied cases that were initially admitted for pneumonia and were newly diagnosed with an underlying cause of aspiration. This is the first study to analyze such cases collectively.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. Patients aged 65 years or older admitted for pneumonia from October 2012 to November 2018 and were newly diagnosed with a cause of aspiration after admission was included. Patients were excluded if they had hospital‐acquired pneumonia, interstitial lung disease, or obstructive pneumonia or were immunocompromised.

Results

In total, 4043 patients were admitted for pneumonia and 125 cases who were newly diagnosed with causes of aspiration after admission were included in the study. This constituted 30.7% of suspected aspiration pneumonia cases in which there was no known cause of aspiration on admission. The most common conditions newly identified were neurologic disorders, upper gastrointestinal disorders, drug‐induced conditions, and head and neck disease. Some were lethal. The diagnosis enabled treatment of the underlying condition and prevention of aspiration in most cases. The most common sign that lead to the diagnosis was symptoms seen from admission, followed by chronic symptoms.

Conclusion

In 30.7% of those with suspected aspiration pneumonia with an unknown cause, a cause of aspiration was newly diagnosed. Careful history taking concerning neurological, gastrointestinal and drug‐induced disorders is essential in elderly patients with pneumonia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 785–790.
Evaluation of factors affecting the association between thickening of sinus mucosa and the presence of periapical lesions using cone beam CT
Authors: Gürhan C. , Şener E. , Mert A. , Şen G. B.
Published: July 2020

Aim

To evaluate the effect of various parameters of periapical lesion(s) on the amount and type of mucosal thickening using cone beam CT images.

Methodology

CBCT scans of 1000 patients were evaluated retrospectively for the presence of apical lesions in maxillary posterior teeth associated with sinus mucosal thickening. The number of cases with pathological mucosal thickening was recorded and classified according to the amount and type of mucosal thickening. The parameters evaluated as the cause of mucosal thickening were the type and number of posterior teeth, number of root(s), diameter of the periapical lesion and distance between maxillary sinus and lesion. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression was used for data analyses. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used for pair‐wise comparisons. Intrarater reliability was tested by Cohen’s kappa.

Results

Mucosal thickening associated with periapical lesions was determined in 48% of 202 cases. The most frequently detected extent of mucosal thickening was type 3 (42%), whereas flat type thickening (59%) was the most frequent type. The tooth most frequently associated with mucosal thickening was the maxillary first molar (44%). Parameters significantly affecting the extent of mucosal thickening were gender, number of roots, number of teeth with periapical lesions and diameter of periapical lesions (P < 0.05). The single parameter with an association with the type of mucosal thickening was the number of roots with an apical lesion (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Mucosal thickening associated with periapical lesions was observed in almost 50% of all mucosal thickening cases. Therefore, collaboration amongst endodontists and otolaryngologists is mandatory to provide successful treatment and prevent recurrence of maxillary sinusitis.
The use of therapeutic untruths by staff supporting people with an intellectual disability who display behaviours that challenge
Authors: McKenzie Karen , Armitage Bethan , Murray George , James Ian
Published: July 2020

Background

Therapeutic untruths (TU) are used in dementia services to de‐escalate distressing situations. The present authors explored the use of TU by care staff supporting people with an intellectual disability who displayed behaviours that challenged.

Method

Data were collected from 126 staff (female = 72.2%; mean age = 41.9 years, SD = 10.7) via an online survey in relation to three areas: responses to three scenarios, reported use of different forms of TU and ratings of perceived effectiveness of, and level of comfort using, each type.

Results

96% of participants reported using TU themselves and observing their colleagues doing likewise. Models that included perceived effectiveness of, and level of staff comfort with using, different TU were significant, although only perceived effectiveness significantly independently contributed to the model.

Conclusion

The use of TU was common, with levels consistent with those found in dementia services. The limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.
COVID‐19 and arterial hypertension: Hypothesis or evidence?
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Cuspidi Cesare , Grassi Guido , Mancia Giuseppe
Published: July 2020

Investigations reported that hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases were the most prevalent comorbidities among the patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Hypertension appeared consistently as the most prevalent risk factors in COVID‐19 patients. Some investigations speculated about the association between renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) and susceptibility to COVID‐19, as well as the relationship between RAAS inhibitors and increased mortality in these patients. This raised concern about the potential association between hypertension (and its treatment) and propensity for COVID‐19. There are only a few follow‐up studies that investigated the impact of comorbidities on outcome in these patients with conflicting findings. Hypertension has been proven to be more prevalent in patients with an adverse outcome (admission in intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death). So far, there is no study that demonstrated independent predictive value of hypertension on mortality in COVID‐19 patients. There are many speculations about this coronavirus and its relation with different risk factors and underlying diseases. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge about the relationship between hypertension and COVID‐19 and the role of hypertension on outcome in these patients.
Protective role of NRF2 in macrovascular complications of diabetes
Authors: Wu Junduo , Sun Xiaodan , Jiang Ziping , Jiang Jun , Xu Linlin , Tian Ao , Sun Xuechun , Meng Huali , Li Ying , Huang Wenlin , Jia Ye , Wu Hao
Published: July 2020

Macrovascular complications develop in over a half of the diabetic individuals, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. This poses a severe threat to public health and a heavy burden to social economy. It is therefore important to develop effective approaches to prevent or slow down the pathogenesis and progression of macrovascular complications of diabetes (MCD). Oxidative stress is a major contributor to MCD. Nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 (NRF2) governs cellular antioxidant defence system by activating the transcription of various antioxidant genes, combating diabetes‐induced oxidative stress. Accumulating experimental evidence has demonstrated that NRF2 activation protects against MCD. Structural inhibition of Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1 (KEAP1) is a canonical way to activate NRF2. More recently, novel approaches, such as activation of the Nfe2l2 gene transcription, decreasing KEAP1 protein level by microRNA‐induced degradation of Keap1 mRNA, prevention of proteasomal degradation of NRF2 protein and modulation of other upstream regulators of NRF2, have emerged in prevention of MCD. This review provides a brief introduction of the pathophysiology of MCD and the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of MCD. By reviewing previous work on the activation of NRF2 in MCD, we summarize strategies to activate NRF2, providing clues for future intervention of MCD. Controversies over NRF2 activation and future perspectives are also provided in this review.
Mesenchymal to epithelial transition driven by canine distemper virus infection of canine histiocytic sarcoma cells contributes to a reduced cell motility in vitro
Authors: Armando Federico , Gambini Matteo , Corradi Attilio , Becker Kathrin , Marek Katarzyna , Pfankuche Vanessa Maria , Mergani Ahmed Elmonastir , Brogden Graham , de Buhr Nicole , von Köckritz‐Blickwede Maren , Naim Hassan Y. , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Puff Christina
Published: July 2020

Sarcomas especially of histiocytic origin often possess a poor prognosis and response to conventional therapies. Interestingly, tumours undergoing mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) are often associated with a favourable clinical outcome. This process is characterized by an increased expression of epithelial markers leading to a decreased invasion and metastatic rate. Based on the failure of conventional therapies, viral oncolysis might represent a promising alternative with canine distemper virus (CDV) as a possible candidate. This study hypothesizes that a CDV infection of canine histiocytic sarcoma cells (DH82 cells) triggers the MET process leading to a decreased cellular motility. Immunofluorescence and immunoblotting were used to investigate the expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers followed by scratch assay and an invasion assay as functional confirmation. Furthermore, microarray data were analysed for genes associated with the MET process, invasion and angiogenesis. CDV‐infected cells exhibited an increased expression of epithelial markers such as E‐cadherin and cytokeratin 8 compared to controls, indicating a MET process. This was accompanied by a reduced cell motility and invasiveness. Summarized, these results suggest that CDV infection of DH82 cells triggers the MET process by an increased expression of epithelial markers resulting in a decreased cell motility in vitro.
Cell cycle exit during bortezomib‐induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells was mediated by Xbp1s‐upregulated p21Cip1 and p27Kip1
Authors: Zhang Dan , Fan Rong , Lei Li , Lei Lei , Wang Yanmeng , Lv Nan , Chen Ping , Williamson Ramone A. , Wang Baiyan , Hu Jinsong
Published: July 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types. Bortezomib, the first approved proteasome inhibitor used for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), has been shown to induce osteoblast differentiation, making it beneficial for myeloma bone disease. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of bortezomib on the cell cycle during osteogenic differentiation. We confirmed that low doses of bortezomib can induce MSCs towards osteogenic differentiation, but high doses are toxic. In the course of bortezomib‐induced osteogenic differentiation, we observed cell cycle exit characterized by G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest with a significant reduction in cell proliferation. Additionally, we found that the cell cycle exit was tightly related to the induction of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21Cip1 and p27Kip1. Notably, we further demonstrated that the up‐regulation of p21Cip1 and p27Kip1 is transcriptionally dependent on the bortezomib‐activated ER stress signalling branch Ire1α/Xbp1s. Taken together, these findings reveal an intracellular pathway that integrates proteasome inhibition, osteogenic differentiation and the cell cycle through activation of the ER stress signalling branch Ire1α/Xbp1s.
Association between neonatal birthweight and risk of maternal glucose intolerance after gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Li Zhuyu , Wang Dongyu , Cheng Yunjiu , Chen Peisong , Ding Wenjing , Wang Zilian
Published: July 2020

Aims/Introduction

To evaluate whether the neonatal birthweight (NBW) is associated with early postpartum glucose intolerance in women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Materials and Methods

A total of 1,113 women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus who completed an oral glucose tolerance test at 6–9 weeks postpartum between 1 April 2014 and 8 January 2020 were included in this observational prospective cohort study. They were grouped by neonatal birthweight quartiles, and the odds ratios of postpartum glucose intolerance for different levels of neonatal birthweight were assessed.

Results

A lower NBW quartile was associated with an increased maternal risk of postpartum glucose intolerance after gestational diabetes mellitus. The adjusted odds ratios for maternal glucose intolerance were 1.69 (95% confidence interval 1.13–2.51) in the lowest NBW quartile (NBW 1,980–2,930 g) when compared with the highest NBW quartile (NBW 3,410–4,610 g). The association between lower NBW and maternal glucose intolerance was significantly stronger in women who delivered a girl. Additionally, NBW ≥3,100 g appears to be associated with a lower risk of maternal glucose intolerance postpartum.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that low NBW is a previously unrecognized risk factor for maternal glucose intolerance after gestational diabetes in early postpartum in South China.
Morph‐dependent fitness and directional change of morph frequencies over time in a Dutch population of Common buzzards Buteo buteo
Authors: Kappers Elena Frederika , de Vries Christiaan , Alberda Anneke , Kuhn Sylvia , Valcu Mihai , Kempenaers Bart , Both Christiaan
Published: July 2020

How genetic polymorphisms are maintained in a population is a key question in evolutionary ecology. Previous work on a plumage colour polymorphism in the common buzzard Buteo buteo suggested heterozygote advantage as the mechanism maintaining the co‐existence of three morphs (light, intermediate and dark). We took advantage of 20 years of life‐history data collected in a Dutch population to replicate earlier studies on the relationship between colour morph and fitness in this species. We examined differences between morphs in adult apparent survival, breeding success, annual number of fledglings produced and cumulative reproductive success. We found that cumulative reproductive success differed among morphs, with the intermediate morph having highest fitness. We also found assortative mating for colour morph, whereby assortative pairs were more likely to produce offspring and had longer‐lasting pair bonds than disassortative pairs. Over the 20‐year study period, the proportion of individuals with an intermediate morph increased. This apparent evolutionary change did not just arise from selection on individual phenotypes, but also from fitness benefits of assortative mating. The increased frequency of intermediates might also be due to immigration or drift. We hypothesize that genetic variation is maintained through spatial variation in selection pressures. Further studies should investigate morph‐dependent dispersal behaviour and habitat choice.
Comparison of the combination of recombinant follicle‐stimulating hormone and recombinant luteinizing hormone protocol versus human menopausal gonadotropin protocol in controlled ovarian stimulation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Yuning , Li Ling , Deng Ke , Liu Jiali , Liu Yanmei , Zou Kang , Hao Guimin , Sun Xin
Published: July 2020

Objective

To systematically review the efficacy of a combination of recombinant follicle‐stimulating hormone (rFSH) and recombinant luteinizing hormone (rLH) protocol versus human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) protocol in controlled ovarian stimulation (COS).

Methods

PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data were searched to collect studies published prior to January 2019 on the efficacy of rFSH combined with rLH versus hMG alone in COS. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, conducted the data extraction, and assessed the risk of bias for all selected studies. Then, Review Manager 5.3 software was used for the meta‐analysis.

Results

There were 2767 patients from 9 studies. The results showed that among patients aged >30 years for IUI, the combination of rFSH and rLH was superior to hMG alone in clinical pregnancy rate per patient (relative risk [RR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 2.12) and endometrial thickness (mean difference [MD] = 0.34, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.64). In patients over 30 years old who received IVF, the results tended to favor the combination of rFSH and rLH in clinical pregnancy rate per patient (RR = 4.48, 95% CI 1.15 to 17.46) and live birth rate per started cycle (RR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.96 to 2.71). In patients less than 30 years old who received IVF, the combination of rFSH and rLH was superior to hMG in the number of retrieved oocytes (MD = 3.70, 95% CI 3.27 to 4.13) and inferior to hMG in number of high‐quality embryos (MD = –0.60, 95% CI –0.91 to –0.29).

Conclusion

The combination of rFSH and rLH may have better efficacy than hMG alone in COS. However, considering the limited sample size of the included studies, the current evidence is not definitive.
Phenotype variability of autoinflammatory disorders in the pediatric patient: A pictorial overview
Authors: Rigante Donato
Published: July 2020

Disruption of innate immunity leading to systemic inflammation and multi‐organ dysfunction is the basilar footprint of autoinflammatory disorders (AIDs), ranging from rare hereditary monogenic diseases to a large number of common chronic inflammatory conditions in which there is a simultaneous participation of multiple genetic components and environmental factors, sometimes combined with autoimmune phenomena and immunodeficiency. Whatever their molecular mechanism, hereditary AIDs are caused by mutations in regulatory molecules or sensors proteins leading to dysregulated production of proinflammatory cytokines or cytokine‐inducing transcription factors, fever, elevation of acute phase reactants, and a portfolio of manifold inflammatory signs which might occur in a stereotyped manner, mostly with overactivity or misactivation of different inflammasomes. Symptoms might overlap in the pediatric patient, obscuring the final diagnosis of AIDs and delaying the most appropriate treatment. Actually, the fast‐paced evolution of scientific knowledge has led to recognize or reclassify an overgrowing number of multifactorial diseases, which share the basic pathogenetic mechanisms with AIDs. The wide framework of classic hereditary periodic fevers, AIDs with prominent skin involvement, disorders of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, defects of actin cytoskeleton dynamics, and also idiopathic nonhereditary febrile syndromes occurring in children is herein presented. Interleukin‐1 dependence of these diseases or involvement of other predominating molecules is also discussed.
Insecticidal and insect growth regulatory activities of secondary metabolites from entomopathogenic fungi, Lecanicillium attenuatum
Authors: Woo Ra Mi , Park Min Gu , Choi Jae Young , Park Dong Hwan , Kim Jun Young , Wang Minghui , Kim Hyun Ji , Woo Soo Dong , Kim Jae Su , Je Yeon Ho
Published: July 2020

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are effective alternatives to chemical insecticides because of their specificity and low environmental toxicity. Entomopathogenic fungi are an important natural pathogen of insects and have been developed as biological control agents. They produce a wide range of secondary metabolites such as antibiotics, pesticides, growth‐promoting or inhibiting compounds and insect attracting agents. In this study, to explore novel IGR substances from entomopathogenic fungi, culture extracts of 189 entomopathogenic fungi isolated from Korean soil samples were investigated for their juvenile hormone (JH)‐based IGR activities. Whereas none of the culture extracts exhibited JH agonist (JHA) activity, 14 extracts showed high levels of JH antagonist (JHAN) activity. Among them, culture extract of JEF‐145 strain, which was identified as Lecanicillium attenuatum, showed the highest insecticidal against Aedes albopictus and Plutella xylostella. At liquid culture condition, JHAN activity was observed in culture soup rather than mycelial cake, indicating that substances with JHAN activity are released from the JEF‐145 strain during culture. Furthermore, while extract from solid cultured JEF‐145 strain showed insecticidal activities against both A. albopictus and P. xylostella, that from liquid cultured fungi showed insecticidal activity only against A. albopictus, indicating that L. attenuatum JEF‐145 strain produces different kinds of secondary metabolites with JHAN activity depending on culture conditions. These results suggested that JHAN substances derived from entomopathogenic fungi could be usefully exploited to develop novel eco‐friendly IGR insecticides.
Victims crossing overflowing watercourses with vehicles in Spain
Authors: Enríquez‐de‐Salamanca Álvaro
Published: July 2020

Heavy rainfall causes many watercourses to overflow. In these circumstances, crossing by car even on a road, can be extremely dangerous; however, dozens of drivers are swept away every year in their vehicles. This paper analyses this type of accident in Spain between 2008 and 2018, recording the date, location, number of victims, age and gender, and rainfall during the event. The results show that 125 accidents occurred with 200 victims including 45 fatalities. Most accidents occurred in E, S and SE Spain, where the rainfall irregularity is greater, during December, October and March, although fatalities were concentrated in September and October. Among the victims male drivers dominated, with an average age of 52 years. The main cause of these accidents was the drivers' behaviour due to: underestimating risk, overconfidence, overvaluation of their driving skills, an excess of trust in the authorities, ignorance about vehicle drag and buoyancy risks, and, social pressure. To reduce these risks, it is necessary to increase adaptation and protection measures on roads, but above all, a change in drivers' behaviour to stop them trying to cross‐flooded rivers.
Conceptualizing the UPPS‐P model of impulsive personality through network analysis: Key dimensions and general robustness across young adulthood
Authors: Goh Patrick K. , Lee Christine A. , Martel Michelle M. , Fillmore Mark T. , Derefinko Karen J. , Lynam Donald R.
Published: July 2020

Objective

Within the UPPS‐P model of impulsive personality, negative urgency, positive urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking dimensions have been linked to unique etiological mechanisms and outcomes. Yet, additional research is needed exploring direct relations among dimensions to determine how these relations may contribute to the nature of impulsive personality and its correlates. The current study used network analysis to clarify relations among UPPS‐P dimensions and assess global robustness of these relations across young adulthood.

Method

Participants included a longitudinal sample of 525 college students (48% male, 18–26 years) who completed the UPPS‐P once per year for three consecutive years.

Results

Network structure was globally robust with particularly strong relations emerging between positive and negative urgency, as well as between lack of premeditation and lack of perseverance, across waves. Lack of premeditation consistently emerged as a central dimension. Additional analyses suggested lack of premeditation and sensation seeking as most robustly related with retrospectively reported frequency of alcohol use.

Conclusions

Results suggested general robustness in the relations among impulsive personality dimensions, with relations involving lack of premeditation being particularly important for characterizing impulsive personality's nature. Sensation seeking and lack of premeditation may warrant particular focus when linking impulsive personality with frequency of alcohol use.
Combination of phosphodiesterase‐5‐inhibitors and beta blockers improves experimental portal hypertension and erectile dysfunction
Authors: Uschner Frank E. , Glückert Kathleen , Paternostro Rafael , Gnad Thorsten , Schierwagen Robert , Mandorfer Mattias , Magdaleno Fernando , Ortiz Cristina , Schwarzkopf Katharina , Kamath Patrick S. , Alessandria Carlo , Boesecke Christoph , Pfeifer Alexander , Reiberger Thomas , Kreisel Wolfgang , Sauerbruch Tilman , Ferlitsch Arnulf , Trebicka Jonel , Klein Sabine
Published: July 2020

Background & Aims

Phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors (PDE‐5‐I) are used for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), which is common in patients with cirrhosis. They may improve portal hypertension (PH), but contradictory data on efficacy and side‐effects have been reported. Non‐selective beta blockers (NSBB) reduce portal pressure, but might aggravate ED. Thus, we evaluated the combination of PDE‐5‐I with NSBB and its impact on PH and ED in experimental cirrhosis.

Methods

ED was assessed in cirrhotic patients (n = 86) using standardized questionnaire. Experimental cirrhosis was induced by bile‐duct‐ligation or carbon‐tetrachloride intoxication in rats. Corpus cavernosum pressure – a surrogate of ED ‐, as well as systemic and portal haemodynamics, were measured in vivo and in situ after acute administration of udenafil alone or in combination with propranolol. mRNA and protein levels of PDE‐5 signalling were analysed using PCR and western Blot.

Results

ED in humans was related to severity of liver disease and to NSBB treatment. PDE‐5 was mainly expressed in hepatic stellate cells and upregulated in human and experimental cirrhosis. Propranolol reduced corpus cavernosum pressure in cirrhotic rats and it was restored by udenafil. Even though udenafil treatment improved PH, it led to a reduction of mean arterial pressure. The combination of udenafil and propranolol reduced portal pressure and hepatic resistance without systemic side‐effects.

Conclusions

ED is common with advanced cirrhosis and concomitant NSBB treatment. The combination of PDE‐5‐I and NSBB improves ED and PH in experimental cirrhosis.
Designing for value in medical residency selection
Authors: Foo Jonathan , Hay Margaret
Published: July 2020

Given the growing number of selection tools, Foo and Hay challenge admissions designers to explicitly identify the value provided by each instrument they use.
Minimization of bias in measures of gestational weight gain
Authors: Stamm Rosemary , Coppell Kirsten , Paterson Helen
Published: July 2020

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is an important predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes, preterm birth, delivery by caesarean and post‐partum weight retention. The Institute of Medicine guidelines on GWG are widely adopted, and GWG is widely researched as an outcome of interest in lifestyle interventions during pregnancy. However, estimation of prepregnancy weight and measurement of weight prior to delivery introduce bias into measures of GWG. This review discusses the sources of bias in measures of GWG and the potential effect of bias on the relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with GWG. Bias in measures of GWG can be minimized by using measured weight at the first antenatal appointment in early pregnancy rather than self‐reported prepregnancy weight and by adjusting for gestational age when the last weight is collected earlier than the delivery date. Bias owing to gestational age is an important potential confounder in the relationship between GWG and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Implantable cardiac defibrillator leads dysfunction after LVAD implantation
Authors: Galand Vincent , Leclercq Christophe , Bourenane Hamed , Boulé Stéphane , Vincentelli André , Maury Philippe , Mondoly Pierre , Picard François , Welté Nicolas , Kindo Michel , Cardi Thomas , Pasquié Jean‐Luc , Gaudard Philippe , Gourraud Jean‐Baptiste , Probst Vincent , Defaye Pascal , Boignard Aude , Para Marylou , Algalarrondo Vincent , Pelcé Edeline , Gariboldi Vlad , Pozzi Matteo , Obadia Jean‐François , Anselme Frédéric , Litzler Pierre‐Yves , Blanchart Katrien , Babatasi Gerard , Garnier Fabien , Bielefeld Marie , Hamon David , Lellouche Nicolas , Bourguignon Thierry , Pierre Bertrand , Eschalier Romain , D'Ostrevy Nicolas , Varlet Emilie , Marijon Eloi , Blangy Hugues , Sadoul Nicolas , Flécher Erwan , Martins Raphaël P.
Published: July 2020

Background

Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) lead dysfunction has been reported after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation in limited single‐center studies. We aimed at describing and characterizing the incidence of ICD lead parameters dysfunction after LVAD implantation.

Methods

Among the 652 patients enrolled in the ASSIST‐ICD study, only patients with an ICD prior to LVAD were included (n = 401). ICD lead parameters dysfunction following LVAD implantation is defined as follows: (a) >50% decrease in sensing threshold, (b) pacing lead impedance increase/decrease by >100Ω, and (c) >50% increase in pacing threshold.

Results

One hundred twenty‐two patients with an ICD prior to LVAD had available ICD interrogation reports prior and after LVAD. A total of 67 (55%) patients exhibited at least one significant lead dysfunction: 17 (15%) exhibited >50% decrease in right ventricular (RV) sensing, 51 (42%) had >100 Ω increase/decrease in RV pacing impedance, and 24 (20%) experienced >50% increase in RV pacing threshold. A total of 52 patients experienced ventricular arrhythmia during follow‐up and all were successfully detected and treated by the device. All lead dysfunction could be managed conservatively.

Conclusion

More than 50% of LVAD‐recipients may experience >1 significant change in lead parameters but none had severe clinical consequences.