bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Regulated sector professionals and reporting suspicion of money laundering: is it a disproportionate burden?
Authors: Çelik Muhammet Emir
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of the research paper is to determine the efficiency of all crimes approach, their relationship with a risk-based approach and the consequences on regulated sector professionals. And, therefore, what is meant by suspicion, how employees follow the requirements and how it affects the quality and quantity of suspicious activity reports. It also considers the economic and legal challenges the regulated sector faces while dealing with customers or clients. All in all, this paper investigates what does the anti-money laundering (AML) regime means for legal practice and how lawyers’ responsibility is affected.

Design/methodology/approach

As the research is being conducted through the analytical methodology, the specific topic of “regulated sector professionals and reporting suspicion of money laundering” is analyzed. It evaluates the fact that the risk-based approach followed in Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations and its adaptation in the UK with all crimes approach caused discrepancy in the judicial system and influenced regulated sector professionals negatively.

Findings

The paper points out that in spite of protective amendments in terms of jurisdictional immunity, UK legislation has caused problems for regulated sector professionals, such as the potential of breaching a client confidentiality agreement and avoiding tipping-off, thus remaining under pressure by clients and facing the risk of losing their clients or obligation to record suspicions in case of court investigation.

Originality/value

The question of money laundering and the FATF recommendations has had a considerable scholarship. However, the proposed study intends to precisely look at the efficiency of all crime approaches, their relationship with a risk-based approach and the consequences on regulated sector professionals. The proposed research will further determine the regulated sector’s economic and legal challenges while dealing with customers or clients. Unlike the existing scholarship, the proposed thesis will focus on what the AML regime means for legal practice and how lawyers’ responsibility is affected.
Marketing decisions and implementation process for entrepreneurial and managerial practices: a critical incident technique approach
Authors: Sá Elisabete , Farhangmehr Minoo , Pinho José Carlos , Dibb Sally
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to deepen the understanding of the marketing process and practices taking place during the initial stages of the company development, by revealing the distinct entrepreneurial marketing process and mix resulting from the entrepreneurs’ decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the critical incident technique, the study analyzes 146 marketing decisions made by entrepreneurs. The resulting marketing activities are aligned in a process and compared with the mainstream managerial marketing process.

Findings

The results provide the basis for an entrepreneurial marketing framework with four phases: product creation – product–market fit – market expansion – refocus. An entrepreneurial marketing mix is also proposed, consisting of productisement, people and proof of value.

Originality/value

While the managerial marketing process is well established, the entrepreneurial marketing process remains largely uncharted. The framework provided contributes to identifying the main marketing concerns and understanding how the marketing process is implemented by entrepreneurs in the earlier phases of the firm. Practical suggestions are offered regarding the marketing operations of the new firms and the critical marketing aspects to consider.
Relationship lending, access to credit and entrepreneurial orientation as cornerstones of venture financing
Authors: Beltrame Federico , Grassetti Luca , Bertinetti Giorgio Stefano , Sclip Alex
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper investigates the effect of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on small- and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) access to credit. Starting with the idea that SMEs' strategy-making process, structures and behaviour can favour credit access, the authors also explore the moderating role of bank lending technologies in shaping this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on a unique survey of Austrian and Italian SMEs which contains detailed information on access to credit, EO dimensions, relationship lending and firm-level characteristics. The authors perform stepwise logistic regressions to assess whether EO interacts with SME's access to finance, and how relationship lending enhances this relationship.

Findings

Proactiveness, autonomy and competitive aggressiveness are important constructs for improving access to bank financing. Those dimensions became more important when a relationship bank is involved, suggesting a role for relationship lending in overcoming SMEs' opaqueness. In addition, relationship lending is crucial for innovative SMEs in overcoming credit denial rates.

Research limitations/implications

The small sample did not allow to analyse the effect of EO on discouraged borrowers. Furthermore, alternative measures of relationship lending (such as geographical proximity or the length of the relationship) and the share of credit granted by the relationship bank would have been interesting to further validate our results.

Practical implications

This study shows that EO dimensions and the type of lending technology are relevant for the financial success of SMEs. More precisely, the authors show that diversity within the banking system helps innovative, autonomous, proactive and competitive SMEs. These important pieces of soft information are injected into the final lending decision when a relationship bank is involved. The evidence suggests the need for SMEs to interact with local banks to fully exploit their EO posture.

Originality/value

To the authors' knowledge, this paper is the first attempt to analyse whether relationship lending can affect the EO–credit access relation.
Mycorrhizal tree impacts on topsoil biogeochemical properties in tropical forests
Authors: Barceló Milagros , van Bodegom Peter M. , Tedersoo Leho , Olsson Pål Axel , Soudzilovskaia Nadejda A.
Published: March 2022

In tropical regions, the patterns of carbon (C) and nutrient properties among ecosystems dominated by distinct mycorrhizal associations are unknown. We aim to reveal whether the dynamics differ and the ecological drivers and ecosystem functioning implications of such differences.

Based on a dataset of 97 tropical forest sites, we related EcM trees abundance (as a proxy for the transition from AM to EcM trees dominance) to different topsoil properties, climatic conditions and microbial abundance proxies through Generalized Additive Models.

Higher abundances of EcM trees were correlated with higher topsoil concentrations of total nitrogen and C, extractable phosphorus and potassium, δ13C, mean annual temperature, precipitation, microbial (bacterial and fungal) biomass and the relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi.

Synthesis. Our results reveal consistent differences in carbon and nutrient content between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM‐) and EcM‐dominated vegetation across the tropical biome, pointing to lower soil fertility and lower rates of C and nutrient transformation processes in EcM‐dominated forests. These patterns associate with lower topsoil C accumulation when compared to AM vegetation, which contrasts with patterns reported for temperate forests. We suggest that different mechanisms of soil organic matter accumulation explain the contrasting impacts of EcM dominance on topsoil properties of temperate and tropical biomes. Global vegetation and C models should account for the contrasting impacts of distinct mycorrhizal vegetation in different climatic zones.
Effects of polyphenols onncRNAsin cancer—An update
Authors: Veeraraghavan Vishnu Priya , Mony Ullas , Renu Kaviyarasi , Surapaneni Krishna Mohan , Ammar Rebai Ben , AlZahrani Abdullah M. , Ahmed Emad A. , Rajendran Peramaiyan
Published: March 2022

In recent years, oncotherapy has received considerable attention concerning plant polyphenols. Increasing evidence suggests that because of the efficiency of polyphenols, they may have anti‐tumour effects in various cancers. However, their regulatory structures remain elusive. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in the regulation of various forms of tumorigenesis and tumour development. Long non‐coding RNAs have recently emerged as regulatory eukaryotic transcripts and therapeutic targets with important and diverse functions in health and diseases. LncRNAs may be associated with the initiation, development, and progression of cancer. This review summarizes the research on the modulatory effects of IncRNAs and their roles in mediating cellular processes. The mechanisms of action of polyphenols underlying their therapeutic effects on cancers are also discussed. Based on our review, polyphenols might facilitate a significant epigenetic modification as part of their tissue‐ and/or cell‐related biological effects. This finding may be attributed to their interaction with cellular signalling pathways involved in chronic diseases. Certain lncRNAs might be the target of specific polyphenols, and some critical signalling processes involved in the intervention of cancers might mediate the therapeutic roles of polyphenols.
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of polysaccharide isolated from Sphacelotheca sorghi in diet‐streptozotocin‐induced T2D mice
Authors: Fu Xin , Song Mengxue , Lu Ming , Xie Mengxi , Shi Lin
Published: March 2022

Edible fungus has attracted great interest with many health benefits, and polysaccharides from them have shown great potentials. In this study, polysaccharides were extracted from Sphacelotheca sorghi (Link) Clint. Monosaccharide composition of S. sorghi polysaccharides (SSP) was detected by high‐performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) and mainly consists of glucose (70.5%), galactose (15.6%), mannose (7.2%), arabinose (5.8%), and rhamnose (0.9%). Type 2 diabetes (T2D) was induced by a high‐fat, high‐sugar diet‐fed (HFSD) diet with streptozotocin (STZ) injection in mice, and hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic regulations of SSP were evaluated. After oral treatment of high dose of SSP (200 mg/kg/day), the fasting blood glucose (FBG) was reduced by 39.3%, the insulin resistance of T2D mice was relieved, the lipids metabolism disorder caused by diabetes was improved, and the levels of liver glycogen was increased by 34.1%, compared with the model control. Histopathological examination showed that SSP relieved liver damage. Furthermore, SSP regulated glucose and lipid metabolism by activating phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/Akt signaling pathway. Overall, SPP is promising to be used as a functional food for the improvement of metabolic disorders.

Practical Application

For enhancing the utilization rate and economic value of an edible fungi Sphacelotheca sorghi (Link) Clint., the total polysaccharides were isolated and used to investigate the effect of fungi in terms of balancing the levels of blood glucose and lipids. The S. sorghi polysaccharide treatment resolved the symptoms and insulin resistance in mice with diabetes, signifying its potential application in producing different functional foods for preventing or controlling diabetes.
Research trends in Jiang‐flavor baijiu fermentation: From fermentation microecology to environmental ecology
Authors: Wang Li
Published: March 2022

Chinese baijiu is one of the six major distilled spirits worldwide and is widely enjoyed because of its unique flavor. Among typical baijiu, Jiang‐flavor baijiu is gaining popularity. However, the fermentation mechanisms of baijiu remain unclear due to its open inoculation environment and complex brewing process. In recent years, advances in high‐throughput sequencing and multi‐omics technologies have yielded meaningful information regarding fermentation microbiome. Therefore, this paper reviews recent developments in the investigation of the diversity, stability, and metabolism of the Jiang‐flavor baijiu microbial community. Furthermore, the importance of protecting the ecology of the production environment is proposed based on the putative contribution of environmental factors to the fermentation microbiome and baijiu characteristics. Finally, this paper discusses current research challenges that need to be addressed, including the limitations of sequencing technologies and difficulties unveiling the mechanisms of microbial interaction between the fermentation microbiome and the environmental ecology. The findings of this review will promote further understanding of the Jiang‐flavor baijiu fermentation process and provide valuable information for the research and development of traditional baijiu and other naturally fermented foods.

Practical Application

Baijiu, a transparent strong alcoholic drink, is the world’s largest consumed and the most valuable spirit in the market. However, the fermentation mechanisms of baijiu remain unclear due to its open inoculation environment and complex brewing process. Therefore, if we can summarizes the current advances and research challenges of microbial fermentation in baijiu, it will deepen the reader’s understanding of the complex fermentation process and fermentation mechanism in baijiu. Furthermore, based on the putative contribution of environmental factors to the fermentation process, the importance of protecting the ecology of the production environment is proposed in future research trends, which will provide valuable information for the research and development of other traditional naturally fermented foods. This will not only achieve breakthroughs in academic value, but also bring higher practical value to fermented foods.
Rheological properties of Sesbania cannabina galactomannan as a new source of thickening agent
Authors: Tao Yuheng , Ma Junmei , Huang Caoxing , Lai Chenhuan , Ling Zhe , Yong Qiang
Published: March 2022

The present study evaluated the rheological properties of galactomannan from Sesbania cannabina. The intrinsic viscosity of galactomannan was determined to be 8.63 ± 0.06 dl/g. Moreover, the onset of galactomannan coil overlap occurred at 5.12 ± 0.13 g/L. With increasing concentration, galactomannan showed a more distinct shear‐thinning behavior, which was well characterized by the Cross model. Notably, the viscosity of polysaccharide showed a negative relationship with the temperature, while the activation energy decreased with increasing polysaccharide concentration. Furthermore, at high concentrations, the galactomannan solution showed stability after heating or freezing, as well as over the wide pH range of 5.0‒9.0. Dynamic viscoelasticity measurements reveal a gradual transition from viscous to elastic behavior of galactomannans with an increasing frequency. It is anticipated that S. cannabina galactomannan will find interesting applications as a natural thickener due to the comprehensive description of its rheological properties presented herein.

Practical Application

The investigated S. cannabina galactomannan has shown a higher viscosity and heat stability at high concentration, as well as a good stability at the pH range of 5–9. The S. cannabina galactomannan may be employed as stabilizers in the food field.
Iran’s Nontraditional Security Challenges under the Taliban Rule
Authors: Solhdoost Mohsen , Pargoo Mahmoud
Published: March 2022

Strong historical, cultural, linguistic, and religious affinities have bound Iran and Afghanistan within the greater Middle East region. With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover in August 2021, Iran is likely to face the exacerbation of existing nontraditional security challenges and the emergence of new threats. Iran continues to deal with drug trafficking, an influx of refugees and economic migrants, and terrorism caused partly by more than four decades of war in Afghanistan. Although Iranian authorities have cheered the United States (US) pullout and expressed cautious optimism about the Taliban, Tehran's choice of policy toward Afghanistan and its new rulers remains to be decided. Iran is likely to continue a policy of engagement with the Taliban unless the government in Kabul realigns with Tehran's adversaries and poses security threats to Iran. In the latter situation, Iran, resorting to proxy sponsorship, is likely to model its Afghanistan policy on its Iraq policy.
Picking up the Pieces in Afghanistan: Need for Smarter Diplomacy and Targeted Counterterrorism
Authors: Curtis Lisa
Published: March 2022

The 20‐year mission in Afghanistan for which the United States (US) had sacrificed tremendous blood and treasure ended in the worst way imaginable with a poorly planned and executed withdrawal that saw the Taliban immediately retake power and form a hardline interim government that includes known terrorist leaders. The manner in which the US handled negotiations with the Taliban over the last three years contributed to the speed with which they were able to over‐run the country in August 2021. The return of Taliban rule will likely increase terrorism challenges both for the region and on a global scale as groups like Al‐Qaeda rebuild in the country and foreign terrorist fighters relocate there to find shelter under a regime ruled by fellow Islamist radicals. Moving forward, the US must work with like‐minded nations to condition assistance and diplomatic recognition on the Taliban meeting certain human rights and counterterrorism conditions and improve its remote counterterrorism capabilities.
Pretreatment HDL‐C and ApoA1 are predictive biomarkers of progression‐free survival in patients with EGFR mutated advanced non‐small cell lung cancer treated with TKI
Authors: Ma Juan , Bai Ying , Liu Mei , Jiao Tong , Chen Yang , Yuan Bo , Liu Boxuan , Zeng Lizhong , Ming Zongjuan , Li Wei , Sun Ruiying , Yang Xia , Yang Shuanying
Published: March 2022

Background

We aimed to explore the correlation between blood lipids (high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL‐C] and apolipoprotein A1 [ApoA1]) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) T790M mutation, as well as its predictive role in clinical efficacy and progression‐free survial (PFS) in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKI).

Methods

We retrospectively collected information of 153 patients with advanced NSCLC harboring exon EGFR mutation and receiving EGFR‐TKI.

Results

The best cutoff value for HDL‐C and ApoA1 was determined to be 1.15 and 1.14 mmol/l. The overall response rate (ORR) was 67.7% in the high HDL‐C group and 46.6% in the low HDL‐C group, respectively. The ORR of the high ApoA1 group showed a significant increase than that of the low ApoA1 group (68.1% vs. 38.5%). The mean ApoA1 level of the EGFR T790M mutation‐positive group was significantly higher than that of the EGFR T790M mutation‐negative group (1.13 g/l vs. 1.01 g/l). Patients with high ApoA1 levels were related to the EGFR T790M mutation (r = 0.324). (3) The median progression‐free survival (PFS) of the high HDL‐C group and low HDL‐C group were 13.00 months and 10.20 months. The median PFS of the high ApoA1 group and the low ApoA1 group were 12.10 and 10.00 months, respectively. Multivariate Cox stepwise regression model analysis demonstrated ECOG PS, pathological type and HDL‐C were confirmed as critical and independent predictors of PFS.

Conclusions

Patients with EGFR T790M mutations often show higher ApoA1 levels. Peripheral serum HDL‐C and ApoA1 before treatment can be used as potential significant factors for predicting clinical efficacy and PFS in advanced NSCLC patients treated with EGFR‐TKI.
The eye and the other: Language and ethics in deaf Nepal
Authors: Green E. Mara
Published: March 2022

This article examines interactions between deaf and hearing people in Nepal that are conducted in natural sign, a mode of signed communication involving relatively small repertoires of conventional signs complemented by iconic and indexical strategies. Natural sign is an exemplary case for unpacking the claim that ethics is not only intrinsic to linguistic interaction but also grounds its very possibility. While this is ultimately true for all language use, natural sign heightens this quality and its consequences, in terms of both interaction (whether people understand) and analysis (how scholars understand whether people understand). Bringing together Nepali Sign Language users’ insights with academic theories of interaction, pragmatics, and semiotics, this article demonstrates the high stakes for deaf natural signers of being rendered intelligible or unintelligible by the “ordinary” ethical actions of their interlocutors.
Comparison of glucose metabolism and anthropometry in women with previous gestational diabetes treated with metformin vs. insulin: 9‐year follow‐up of two randomized trials
Authors: Huhtala Mikael , Nikkinen Hilkka , Paavilainen Elisa , Niinikoski Harri , Vääräsmäki Marja , Loo Britt‐Marie , Rönnemaa Tapani , Tertti Kristiina
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The main aim was to study whether the long‐term incidences of type 2 diabetes, pre‐diabetes and metabolic syndrome differed between women who were treated with metformin or insulin for gestational diabetes.

Material and methods

This 9‐year follow‐up study of two open‐label randomized trials compares metformin and insulin treatments of gestational diabetes. In all, 165 women, 88 previously treated with insulin and 77 treated with metformin in the index pregnancy, were included in the analyses. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed, and measures of anthropometry, glucose metabolism, serum lipids and inflammatory markers were compared between the treatment groups. Disorders of glucose metabolism (pre‐diabetes and type 2 diabetes) at the 9‐year follow‐up was the primary outcome of this study. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02417090.

Results

The incidences of pre‐diabetes and type 2 diabetes (40.3% vs. 46.6%, odds ratio [OR] 0.77, 95% CI 0.40–1.50, p = 0.51), type 2 diabetes (14.3% vs. 15.9%, OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.34–2.26, p = 0.94), pre‐diabetes (26.0% vs. 30.7%, OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.38–1.65, p = 0.62), and metabolic syndrome (45.9% vs. 55.2%, OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.35–1.35, p = 0.31) were comparable between the metformin and insulin groups. Moreover, there were no evident differences in the individual measures of anthropometry, glucose metabolism including HOMA‐insulin resistance, serum lipids or inflammatory markers between the two treatment groups.

Conclusions

Treatment of gestational diabetes with metformin vs. insulin during pregnancy is unlikely to have diverging long‐term effects on maternal anthropometry, glucose metabolism or serum lipids. From this perspective, both treatments may be considered in gestational diabetes.
Radiation use efficiency of the herbaceous layer of dry Chaco shrublands and woodlands: Spatial and temporal patterns
Authors: Blanco Lisandro Javier , Paruelo José María , Oesterheld Martín , Agüero Walter Damián
Published: March 2022

Aims

Monitoring rangeland above‐ground net primary production (ANPP) requires information on the variation of radiation use efficiency (RUE). We studied the spatial and temporal variations of RUE of the herbaceous layer (RUEH) in woodlands and shrublands and its association with grazing regime, environmental, and vegetation variables.

Location

We worked in the Arid Chaco (Argentina), an ecotone region between the Chaco and Monte phytogeographic provinces. Woody and herbaceous species coexist in variable proportions in relation to a regional precipitation gradient and local edaphic variations.

Methods and results

Over eight growing seasons, we estimated RUEH at 12 sites, each with two contrasting grazing regimes (moderate and severe). To do this, we related estimated ANPPH from biomass harvests and APARH (absorbed photosynthetically active radiation of the herbaceous layer) calculated from the MODIS normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Then we linked the RUEH with precipitation, physiognomy, soil, and landscape data. Most of the spatial variability of RUEH was accounted for by the grazing regime. Moderately grazed areas had a three times greater RUEH than severely grazed ones (0.507 and 0.180 g MJ−1 respectively). They also exhibited different proportions of herbaceous functional types. Physiognomic characteristics of the woody layer explained a significant proportion of the spatial variation of RUEH not explained by grazing regime. RUEH was between 30 and 150% greater in woodlands than in shrublands depending on whether the sites were under moderate or severe grazing respectively.

Conclusion

Grazing regime and woody physiognomy accounted for most of the variation in herbaceous radiation use efficiency. Our results show that RUEH may be predicted with greater accuracy from a combination of vegetation maps and information on grazing regime. Thus, our models could be incorporated into web platforms that provide ANPPH (forage) monitoring services based on satellite data, in order to improve their estimates in woodlands, shrublands and savanna ecosystems.
The prognostic factors in acute myeloid leukaemia with double‐mutated CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (CEBPAdm)
Authors: Wei Hui , Zhou Chunlin , Liu Bingcheng , Lin Dong , Li Yan , Wei Shuning , Gong Benfa , Zhang Guangji , Liu Kaiqi , Gong Xiaoyuan , Fang Qiuyun , Liu Yuntao , Qiu Shaowei , Gu Runxia , Song Zhen , Chen Jiayuan , Yang Miao , Zhang Junping , Jin Jingjing , Wang Ying , Mi Yingchang , Wang Jianxiang
Published: March 2022

The prognostic factors to stratify acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) with double‐mutated CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein alpha (CEBPAdm) into different risk groups remains to be determined. In this retrospective study, we evaluated 171 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AML with CEBPAdm by a Cox proportional hazards regression model. In univariate analyses, colony stimulating factor 3 receptor (CSF3R) and Wilms tumour 1 (WT1) mutations were associated with poor relapse‐free survival (RFS). The induction regimens including homoharringtonine (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) or intermediate‐dose cytarabine was associated with favourable RFS and overall survival (OS). The induction regimen including both homoharringtonine and intermediate‐dose cytarabine was associated with the most favourable RFS (3‐year RFS 84.7%) and OS (3‐year OS 92.8%) compared to the conventional cytarabine and daunorubicin regimen (3‐year RFS 27.7%, hazard ratio [HR] 0.126, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.051–0.313, Wald p < 0.001; and 3‐year OS 56.4%, HR 0.179, 95% CI 0.055–0.586, Wald p = 0.005). In multivariate analyses, the induction regimen including intermediate‐dose cytarabine (HR 0.364, 95% CI 0.205–0.646, Wald p < 0.001) and CSF3R mutations (HR 2.667, 95% CI 1.276–5.572, Wald p = 0.009) were independently associated with RFS. Taken together, we found that induction regimen and CSF3R mutations were independent prognostic factors for AML with CEBPAdm.
Long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes in very low birth weight infants with and without patent ductus arteriosus: A retrospective case control observational study
Authors: Elbayiyev Sarkhan , Canpolat Fuat Emre , Kadıoğlu Şimşek Gülsüm , Işık Sehribanu , Büyüktiryaki Mehmet , Kanmaz Kutman Hayriye Gözde
Published: March 2022

Background

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has been associated with early morbidities and long‐term developmental problems in very preterm infants.

Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of patent ductus arteriosus and medical treatment on long‐term developmental outcomes in very low birth weight infants.

Study design

This is a retrospective case control observational study.

Subject

The study included preterm infants who were born before 30 weeks' gestation and birth weight less than 1,500 g and underwent neurodevelopmental testing at a corrected age of 24 months during follow‐up in our centre. The results of neurodevelopmental assessment using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II at 24 months of corrected age and other morbidities were recorded.

Results

Of 820 infants screened, the 2‐year data of 647 infants (78%) were analysed. The mean gestational age was 27.4 weeks (±1.7 weeks), mean birth weight was 980 g (±250 g) and 283 (44%) of the infants received pharmaceutical treatment for hemodynamically significant PDA. The prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment was higher in infants with PDA compared to those without PDA (odds ratio [OR], 1.6; 95% CI, 1.13–2.29; chi‐square, Fisher's exact test P = .009). However, when birth weight and gestational age were corrected for as covariates and other risk factors were added to the analysis, PDA alone was not an independent risk factor for neurodevelopmental problems (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.824–1.549; P = .450). There was no difference between the groups who received ibuprofen or paracetamol for PDA.

Conclusion

Although we have not found an association between hemodynamically significant PDA and poor neurodevelopment, this potentially needs to be investigated.
Family functioning and preschool children's oral health‐related quality of life
Authors: Almutairi Sarah , Scambler Sasha , Bernabé Eduardo
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Identifying which aspects of how a family functions are relevant to child oral health provides opportunities for interventions targeting the family context. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of general and domain‐specific family functioning with oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of 3–4‐year‐old children.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data from 740 parent‐child dyads from East London were analysed. Family functioning was assessed with the 60‐item Family Assessment Device that yields scores for general functioning and six domains (roles, behaviour control, communication, affective involvement, affective responsiveness and problem solving). Children's OHRQoL was measured using the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS), which measures the lifetime impacts of children's oral conditions on the child (child impact section, CIS) and family (family impact section, FIS). The associations of family functioning with the ECOHIS total, CIS and FIS scores were assessed in negative binomial regression models (rate ratios [RR] and 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] were calculated), adjusting for parental sociodemographic factors and child demographic factors and caries experience.

Results

Children in families with unhealthy general functioning had 1.45 (95% CI: 0.87–2.43), 1.24 (95% CI: 0.73–2.13) and 2.19 (95% CI: 1.20–3.99) times greater ECOHIS total, CIS and FIS scores, respectively, than those in families with healthy general functioning after adjustment for confounders. Unhealthy functioning in the roles domain was associated with greater ECOHIS total and FIS scores. Unhealthy functioning in the problem solving, roles and affective involvement domains were also associated with greater FIS scores.

Conclusions

Unhealthy family functioning was associated with worse child OHRQoL, especially in terms of disrupting family life. Effective assignment and undertaking of roles should be further explored as a target for intervention.
Growth factors‐based platelet lysate rejuvenates skin against ageing through NF‐κB signalling pathway: In vitro and in vivo mechanistic and clinical studies
Authors: Li Ting , Lu Haishan , Zhou Li , Jia Ming , Zhang Lei , Wu Huiling , Shan Letian
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Platelets benefit tissue regeneration by secreting growth factors, and platelet products, for example, platelet lysate (PL), have been clinically applied for tissue rejuvenation. To determine the anti‐ageing efficacy and mechanism of human PL (hPL) on skin, this study conducted clinical retrospective analysis, nude mice‐based in vivo study and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs)‐based in vitro study.

Methods

Flow cytometry was employed for quality control of hPL, and ELISA was used for quantification of growth factors (EGF, IGF‐1, PDGF and TGF‐β) in hPL. After d‐galactose modelling, skin texture grading, histopathological observation, immunofluorescence analysis and oxidative stress assays were conducted on nude mice, while SA‐β‐gal staining, CCK‐8 and wound healing assays were conducted on HDFs. qPCR and western blot were conducted to clarify hPL's mechanism.

Results

The clinical retrospective data showed that hPL obviously rejuvenated human skin appearances without adverse events. The animal data showed that hPL exerted rejuvenative effects on skin, and the cellular data showed that hPL significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of HDFs and suppressed senescence‐associated secretory protein secretion and senescence state of senescent HDFs by suppressing NF‐κB pathway. The NF‐κB‐dependent mechanism was verified positively by using P65 siRNA and negatively by using prostratin. Furthermore, EGF, IGF‐1, PDGF and TGF‐β were found as the main ingredients in hPL, which contributed to the efficacy and mechanism of hPL.

Conclusion

This study provided novel knowledge of hPL, making it ideal for skin rejuvenation.
In situ analysis of acupuncture protecting dopaminergic neurons from lipid peroxidative damage in mice of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zuo Tingting , Xie Mo , Yan Meiling , Zhang Zengyan , Tian Tian , Zhu Ying , Wang Lihua , Sun Yanhong
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Acupuncture stimulation has proven to protect dopaminergic neurons from oxidative damage in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), but it remains unclear about the in situ information of biochemical components in dopaminergic neurons. Here, we aimed to analyse in situ changes of biochemical components and lipid peroxidation levels in dopaminergic neurons in PD mice treated with acupuncture by synchrotron FTIR micro‐spectroscopy technique.

Materials and Methods

About 9–10‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice were used to establish PD model by intraperitoneal injection of 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 30 mg/kg for 5 days). Acupuncture stimulation was performed once a day for 12 days. Behaviour test was determined using the rotarod instrument. Biochemical compositions of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta were analysed by synchrotron FTIR micro‐spectroscopy technique. The number and ultrastructure of dopaminergic neurons were respectively observed by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results

We found that the number and protein expression of dopaminergic neurons in MPTP‐treated mice were reduced by about half, while that in the mice treated by acupuncture were significantly restored. Acupuncture treatment also restored the motor ability of PD mice. The results of single cell imaging with synchrotron FTIR micro‐spectroscopy technique showed that the proportion of lipid in MPTP treated mice increased significantly. Especially the ratio of CH2 asymmetric stretching and CH3 asymmetric stretching increased significantly, suggesting that MPTP induced lipid peroxidation damage of dopaminergic neurons. It is also supported by the result of TEM, such as mitochondrial swelling or atrophy, loss of mitochondrial crests and mitochondrial vacuolization. Compared with MPTP treated mice, the proportion of lipid in acupuncture treated mice decreased and the mitochondrial structure was restored.

Conclusions

Acupuncture can inhibit the level of lipid peroxides in dopaminergic neurons and protect neurons from oxidative damage. The study provides a promising method for in situ analysis of biochemical compositions in PD mice and reveals the mechanism of acupuncture in treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Peritumoral matrilin‐2 staining may be useful in distinguishing basal cell carcinoma from folliculocentric basaloid proliferation
Authors: Wang Zhengke , Lee Jennifer , Breen Catherine , Ruenger Thomas , Xiong Fang , Goreshi Renato , Lu Ming , Iwamoto Satori
Published: March 2022

Background

Folliculocentric basaloid proliferation (FBP) is a benign and reactive proliferation which can histopathologically mimic basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). The incidental presence of FBP during the excision of a BCC can occasionally lead to excessive tissue removal. One distinguishing feature of BCCs is that they invade the stroma, whereas FBPs generally do not.

Methods

Matrilin‐2 is an extracellular matrix protein associated with tumor invasion, and we compared the expression of matrilin‐2 in peritumoral cells of BCC and FBP.

Results

We found increased matrilin‐2 expression within the peritumoral stroma of 41 of 42 BCCs (97.7%), with strong expression in all (100%) cases of infiltrative subtypes and in 21 of 25 (84%) nodular subtypes of BCC. We found no expression of peritumoral matrilin‐2 in any of the seven cases of FBP.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that immunolabeling with the matrilin‐2 antibody may help distinguish BCCs from FBPs.
Functional diversity of epigeal spiders in the olive grove agroecosystem in northeastern Portugal: a comparison between crop and surrounding semi‐natural habitats
Authors: Kubiak Ketrin Lorhayne , Pereira José Alberto , Tessaro Dinéia , Santos Sónia A.P. , Benhadi‐Marín Jacinto
Published: March 2022

The olive grove agroecosystem (Olea europaea L., Oleaceae) is very important in terms of economy and culture throughout the Mediterranean region. In Trás‐os‐Montes (Portugal), olive groves are commonly surrounded by semi‐natural areas consisting of Mediterranean shrublands. Understanding the role of potential predators of olive pests is crucial to enhancing biological control in sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the community structure of ground‐inhabiting spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) in the olive grove and their surrounding shrublands in Trás‐os‐Montes. We found that the community of spiders was dominated by ground hunters such as Lycosidae and Gnaphosidae. Lycosidae were more abundant in olive groves than in surrounding shrublands in 2015 only, whereas Gnaphosidae were more abundant in olive groves in both years of the study (2015 and 2016). Hence, the two habitats displayed a low complementarity of spider families. The Mediterranean shrubland areas could act as a reservoir and refuge for potential pest biocontrol agents. Conservation of surrounding semi‐natural areas may contribute to the natural limitation of pests exerted by spiders in the olive grove agroecosystem. Nevertheless, further long‐time and species‐level studies are needed to provide insights into the role of spiders as natural enemies.
Wealth inequality in pre‐industrial England: A long‐term view (late thirteenth to sixteenth centuries)
Authors: Alfani Guido , García Montero Hector
Published: March 2022

This article provides an overview of wealth inequality in England from the late thirteenth to the sixteenth century, based on a novel database of distributions of taxable household wealth across 17 counties plus London. To account for high thresholds of fiscal exemption, a new method is introduced to reconstruct complete distributions from left‐censored observations. First, we analyse inequality at the county level, finding an impressive stability across time in the relative position of the English counties, perturbed only by the tendency of the South and South‐East to become relatively more inegalitarian. Then, we produce an aggregate distribution representative of England as a whole, and we detect an overall tendency for inequality to grow from medieval to early modern times due largely to North–South divergence in average household wealth. We discuss our results in the light of the recent literature on historical inequality.
Survival in autoimmune hemolytic anemia remains poor, results from a nationwide cohort with 37 years of follow‐up
Authors: Hansen Dennis Lund , Möller Sören , Frederiksen Henrik
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is considered a chronic disease, with an overall good prognosis. However, recent reports indicate pre‐mature mortality. Causes of death have not been evaluated previously.

Methods

In a nationwide setting, we identified all patients with warm type AIHA or cold agglutinin disease (CAD), and age–sex‐matched comparators from Denmark, 1980–2016. We estimated overall survival and cause‐specific mortality from anemia, infection, cardiovascular causes, hematological or solid cancer, bleeding, or other causes, using cumulative incidence proportions.

Results

We identified 1460 patients with primary AIHA, 1078 with secondary AIHA, 112 with CAD, and 130 801 comparators. One‐year survival and median survival were, 82.7% and 9.8 years for primary AIHA, 69.1% and 3.3 years for secondary AIHA, and 85.5% and 8.8 years for CAD. Prognosis was comparable to the general population only in patients with primary AIHA below 30 years. In all other age and subgroups, the difference was considerable. Cumulated cause‐specific mortality at 1 year was increased among patients versus comparators.

Discussion

All groups of autoimmune hemolytic anemia are associated with increased overall and cause‐specific mortality compared to the general population. This probably reflects unmet needs in both treatment and follow‐up programs.
Highly expressed genes in multiple myeloma cells – what can they tell us about the disease?
Authors: Børset Magne , Elsaadi Samah , Vandsemb Esten N. , Hess Eli Svorkdal , Steiro Ida J. , Cocera Fernandez Miguel , Sponaas Anne‐Marit , Abdollahi Pegah
Published: March 2022

Cancer cells can convert proto‐oncoproteins into oncoproteins by increasing the expression of genes that are oncogenic when expressed at high levels. Such genes can promote oncogenesis without being mutated. To find overexpressed genes in cancer cells from patients with multiple myeloma, we retrieved mRNA expression data from the CoMMpass database and ranked genes by their expression levels. We grouped the most highly expressed genes based on a set of criteria and we discuss the role a selection of them can play in the disease pathophysiology. The list was highly concordant with a similar list based on mRNA expression data from the PADIMAC study. Many well‐known “myeloma genes” such as MCL1, CXCR4, TNFRSF17, SDC1, SLAMF7, PTP4A3, and XBP1 were identified as highly expressed, and we believe that hitherto unrecognized key players in myeloma pathogenesis are also enriched on the list. Highly expressed genes in malignant plasma cells that were absent or expressed at only a low level in healthy plasma cells included IFI6, IFITM1, PTP4A3, SIK1, ALDOA, ATP5MF, ATP5ME, and PSMB4. The ambition of this article is not to validate the role of each gene but to serve as a guide for studies aiming at identifying promising treatment targets.
Midsagittal corpus callosal thickness and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Owens‐Walton Conor , Adamson Chris , Walterfang Mark , Hall Sara , van Westen Danielle , Hansson Oskar , Shaw Marnie , Looi Jeffrey C. L.
Published: March 2022

People diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD) can experience significant neuropsychiatric symptoms, including cognitive impairment and dementia, the neuroanatomical substrates of which are not fully characterised. Symptoms associated with cognitive impairment and dementia in PD may relate to direct structural changes to the corpus callosum via primary white matter pathology or as a secondary outcome due to the degeneration of cortical regions. Using magnetic resonance imaging, the corpus callosum can be investigated at the midsagittal plane, where it converges to a contiguous mass and is not intertwined with other tracts. The objective of this project was thus twofold: First, we investigated possible changes in the thickness of the midsagittal callosum and cortex in patients with PD with varying levels of cognitive impairment; and secondly, we investigated the relationship between the thickness of the midsagittal corpus callosum and the thickness of the cortex. Study participants included cognitively unimpaired PD participants (n = 35), PD participants with mild cognitive impairment (n = 22), PD participants with dementia (n = 17) and healthy controls (n = 27). We found thinning of the callosum in PD‐related dementia compared with PD‐related mild cognitive impairment and cognitively unimpaired PD participants. Regression analyses found thickness of the left medial orbitofrontal cortex to be positively correlated with thickness of the anterior callosum in PD‐related mild cognitive impairment. This study suggests that a midsagittal thickness model can uncover changes to the corpus callosum in PD‐related dementia, which occur in line with changes to the cortex in this advanced disease stage.
Determinants of disability at 6 months after stroke: The GRECogVASC Study
Authors: Tasseel‐Ponche Sophie , Barbay Mélanie , Roussel Martine , Lamrani Adnane , Sader Thibaud , Arnoux‐Courselle Audrey , Canaple Sandrine , Lamy Chantal , Leclercq Claire , Aarabi Ardalan , Schnitzler Alexis , Yelnik Alain Pierre , Godefroy Olivier ,   GRECogVASC Study Group
Published: March 2022

Background and purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the contributions of background disorders responsible for participation restriction as indexed by a structured interview for the modified Rankin Scale (mRS‐SI).

Methods

A subset of 256 patients was assessed at 6 months after stroke using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), gait score, comprehensive cognitive battery (yielding a global cognitive Z‐score), behavioral dysexecutive disorders (DDs), anxiety and depressive symptoms, epilepsy, and headache. Following bivariate analyses, determinants of participation restriction were selected using ordinal regression analysis with partial odds.

Results

Poststroke participation restriction (mRS‐SI score > 1) was observed in 59% of the patients. In bivariate analyses, mRS‐SI score was associated with prestroke mRS‐SI score, 6‐month NIHSS score, gait score, global cognitive Z‐score, behavioral DDs, and presence of anxiety and depression (all: p = 0.0001; epilepsy: p =0.3; headache: p = 0.7). After logistic regression analysis, NIHSS score was associated with increasing mRS‐SI score (p = 0.00001). Prestroke mRS‐SI score (p = 0.00001), behavioral DDs (p = 0.0008) and global cognitive Z‐score (p = 0.01) were associated with both mRS‐SI score > 1 and mRS‐SI score > 2. In addition, gait score was associated with mRS‐SI score > 2 (p = 0.00001). This model classified 85% of mRS‐SI scores correctly (p = 0.001). Structural equation modeling showed the contributions of gait limitation (standardized coefficient [SC]: 0.68; p = 0.01), prestroke mRS‐SI (SC: 0.41; p = 0.01), severity of neurological impairment (SC: 0.16; p = 0.01), global cognitive Z‐score (SC: −0.14; p = 0.05), and behavioral DDs (SC: 0.13; p = 0.01).

Conclusion

These results provide a statistical model of weights of determinants responsible for poststroke participation restriction and highlight a new independent determinant: behavioral DDs.