bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐standing refractory hidradenitis suppurativa responded to a brodalumab monotherapy in a patient with psoriasis: A possible involvement of Th17 across the spectrum of both diseases
Authors: Yoshida Yasuyuki , Oyama Noritaka , Iino Shiro , Shimizu Chihiro , Hasegawa Minoru
Published: February 2021

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a chronic inflammatory skin disease mainly affecting apocrine gland‐rich areas of the body with painful nodules, persisted abscess, sinus tracts, and scarring. The etiopathology of HS remains unclearly understood, but the disease is considered as a polygenic autoinflammation condition originating from follicular hyperkeratosis and occlusion. Recent advances concerning the substantial roles of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐17, and IL‐23 have accelerated in developing a repertoire of therapeutic biologics in HS. Currently five biologics antagonistic for these different cytokines, adalimumab, anakinra, etanercept, infliximab, and ustekinumab, have been explored in the treatment setting of HS; however, only limited evidence is available for the therapeutic advantage of IL‐17 pathway blockade. We present a 47‐year‐old Japanese man who had a long‐standing, debilitating HS complicated with psoriasis, both of which were refractory to a series of the standard treatment. Not only psoriatic skin but also HS lesions responded dramatically to brodalumab, an IL‐17 receptor antagonist, accompanied with decrease of validated assessments, namely the Hurley's staging classification and modified Sartorius score. Brodalumab was well tolerated with rapid improvement and no adverse reaction, and finally gave a satisfactory maintenance of disease remission. To our best knowledge, this is the first successful use of anti‐IL‐17 receptor antibody in a Japanese case with coexistence of HS and psoriasis. We also discuss extending understanding of the potential benefit and current limitation of brodalumab in the treatment of HS.
Serum interleukin‐10 level increases in patients with severe signs or symptoms of herpes zoster and predicts the duration of neuralgia
Authors: Fukuyasu Atsuko , Kamata Masahiro , Sy Hau Carren , Nagata Mayumi , Fukaya Saki , Hayashi Kotaro , Tanaka Takamitsu , Ishikawa Takeko , Ohnishi Takamitsu , Tada Yayoi , Kanda Naoko
Published: February 2021

Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of latent varicella zoster virus (VZV) in the cranial nerve or dorsal root ganglia, with spread of the virus along the sensory nerve to the dermatome. Postherpetic neuralgia is a feared complication of HZ and impairs patients’ quality of life enormously. However, there is no predictor of the duration of neuralgia. Our objective was to investigate whether there are correlations between the duration of neuralgia and serum levels of potential biomarkers in order to find practical predictors of the duration of neuralgia. Patients who were diagnosed with HZ at our hospital from April 2013 to January 2014 were included in this study. Serum levels of cytokines and other biomarkers were measured using commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay kits. Thirty patients (15 men and 15 women) with HZ were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 66.1 ± 9.2 (standard deviation) years (range, 51–84 years). Four patients were evaluated as having mild, 19 as having moderate, and seven as having severe HZ. Patients with severe HZ suffered from neuralgia for a significantly longer period of time than patients with mild‐to‐moderate HZ (9.86 ± 8.25 months vs. 2.01 ± 2.68 months, severe vs. mild‐to‐moderate, p = 0.0021). The serum interleukin (IL)‐10 level was significantly higher in patients with severe HZ than in those with mild‐to‐moderate HZ (12.93 ± 3.27 pg/mL vs. 6.74 ± 3.72 pg/mL; severe vs. mild‐to‐moderate; p = 0.0487). Furthermore, the serum IL‐10 level was significantly correlated with the duration of neuralgia (r = 0.5193, p = 0.0111). Lastly, the serum IL‐10 level significantly decreased after treatment in comparison with that before treatment (from 8.15 ± 4.46 pg/mL to 4.32 ± 11.83 pg/mL, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, these results suggest that the serum IL‐10 level is an objective biomarker of the severity of HZ, and that the serum IL‐10 level can be a practical predictor of the duration of neuralgia.
The revision of competency standards for occupational therapy driver assessors in Australia: A mixed methods approach
Authors: Fields Sally M. , Unsworth Carolyn A. , Harreveld Bobby
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Competency standards outline the knowledge, skills, and attributes that are required for competent practice. This study describes the process followed to revise and validate the competency standards for occupational therapy driver assessors in order to guide clinical practice in this area of advanced occupational therapy practice.

Methods

A mixed methods research approach was used in this study. In phase 1, three focus groups with driver assessors reviewed and suggested revisions to the competency standards for occupational therapy driver assessors. Phase 2 involved content validation with key stakeholders through a focus group with consumers, written feedback from Australian state, and territory driver licensing authorities, and a two‐round Delphi process with Australian occupational therapy driver assessors.

Results

Forty‐nine occupational therapy driver assessors participated in the phase 1 focus groups. Deductive content analysis of the transcripts provided data to revise the competency standards. Inductive analysis provided an in‐depth understanding of the participants’ views and was interpreted through six categories and their underlying subcategories: purposes and benefits; jurisdictional variations and practice diversity; language use; defining competent practice; challenging systems and processes; and competency standards content. Forty‐eight occupational therapy driver assessors participated in the Delphi process. In Round 1, only 1 of the 164 competency standards and practice behaviours rated did not achieve the pre‐determined 70% consensus rate. In Round 2, all statements achieved consensus, with the overall average consensus level obtained across the Round 2 statements at 96.8%.

Conclusion

The revised Australian Competency Standards for Occupational Therapy Driver Assessors have been endorsed by Occupational Therapy Australia and released for clinical use. The methods described in this research provide a framework suitable for revision or development of competency standards in both other areas of occupational therapy practice and other health‐care professions.
Health in all policies for rural and remote health: A role for Australian local governments?
Authors: Baldwin Louise , Dallaston Elizabeth , Bennett Belinda , McDonald Fiona , Fleming Mary Louise
Published: February 2021

The role of local government in improving public health has been given legislative recognition in some Australian states. There is growing evidence of the positive role this statutory recognition has given to align local government efforts with state government health policy. Health in All Policies (HiAP) is a comprehensive approach to integrating public health, promoting components into a range of traditional local policies such as those relating to housing, transport and water. While much of the work internationally in HiAP has focused on urban populations, we argue that there are opportunities for rural and remote Australian local governments to use HiAP to respond to disparities in health outcomes amongst rural and remote Australian communities. We examine the Australian experiences with HiAP, the role for local governments and the future challenges and opportunities around the use of a HiAP approach to improve community health outcomes in rural and remote Australian communities.
The intergenerational transmission of language skill
Authors: Sullivan Alice , Moulton Vanessa , Fitzsimons Emla
Published: February 2021

This paper examines the relationship between parents’ and children's language skills for a nationally representative birth cohort born in the United Kingdom—the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). We investigate both socioeconomic and ethnic differentials in children's vocabulary scores and the role of differences in parents’ vocabulary scores in accounting for these. We find large vocabulary gaps between highly educated and less educated parents, and between ethnic groups. Nevertheless, socioeconomic and ethnic gaps in vocabulary scores are far wider among the parents than among their children. Parental vocabulary is a powerful mediator of inequalities in offspring's vocabulary scores at age 14, and also a powerful driver of change in language skills between the ages of five and 14. Once we account for parental vocabulary, no ethnic minority group of young people has a negative “vocabulary gap” compared to whites.
Comparative evaluation of the protective effects of cow, buffalo and goat milk in glucocorticoid‐induced bone alterations in mice
Authors: Kumar Rohit , Mada Sanusi Bello , Reddi Srinu , Kaur Taruneet , Kapila Rajeev , Kapila Suman
Published: February 2021

Glucocorticoids exhibit a crucial role in the early onset of osteopenia. Milk and milk products have a beneficial influence on bone functioning. The study delineates the bone anabolic potential of three distinct milk varieties (goat, buffalo and cow) in reinstating the detrimental effects of dexamethasone (dex) in the mice models. The current findings report the prominent suppression in the glucocorticoid‐induced bone loss on feeding goat, buffalo and cow milk in mice. Interestingly, goat milk showed maximum relative reversal of dex‐driven bone loss. Hence, the study advocates the applied utility of milk and its exploitation in functional foods for the efficient check against glucocorticoid‐mediated bone loss.
Choosing a career in special education
Authors: Reeves Linda M. , Parrish Christopher W. , Guffey Sarah K.
Published: February 2021

Over the past three decades, the severe shortage of special education teachers has continued to pose a significant challenge for schools in several countries. This study investigated factors that influence an individual’s decision to choose a career in special education. Understanding more about the experiences of those entering the field of special education provides insight to assist in recruiting individuals to meet this demand. Nineteen graduate students enrolled in a university’s special education program in the United States completed a survey and participated in semi‐structured interviews to examine factors that contributed towards their decision to choose a career in special education. Seven factors were identified: experiences with individuals with disabilities, degree program/career goals, a preference for special education, a desire to be an advocate, influence from others, other educational experiences, and personal reasons. In addition, the participants provided recommendations for teacher preparation programs to effectively recruit special education teachers. The recommendations included providing more information to others about what special education teachers do and the impact they make, and providing more exposure to individuals with disabilities.
Multi–sensory impairment: convenient label or recipe for confusion? A scoping review of research conducted in England (2001‐20)
Authors: Kamenopoulou Leda , Ali Aaliya , Ockelford Adam
Published: February 2021

In England, the term ‘multi‐sensory impairment’ (MSI) has come to overlap with other labels, which is problematic for both research and practice. We undertook a scoping review of empirical studies conducted in England over the past 20 years on MSI and overlapping labels. We designed and used a review protocol and combined multiple searching methods, including repeated database searches, manual searching of journals and expert recommendations. We identified 29 studies that met the criteria for inclusion in the review, and we analysed these according to three themes: (1) terminology used, (2) topic explored, and (3) methodology adopted. We found that terminology was varied and poorly defined, with a lot of overlap between key terms that were used sometimes interchangeably. Moreover, studies varied in the level of transparency provided when methodology was reported. Finally, there was a dearth of research into inclusion in mainstream schools and research gathering learners’ voices. Implications for future research include the need for: (1) identification of factors that have led to overlapping terminology, (2) greater transparency in how the methodologies used in the field are reported, and (3) more evidence, especially from research on strategies in settings that promote inclusion, and research that includes learners’ voices.
Sexing the bony labyrinth: A morphometric investigation in a subadult and adult Belgian identified sample
Authors: Boucherie Alexandra , Polet Caroline , Lefèvre Philippe , Vercauteren Martine
Published: February 2021

In forensic anthropology, sex estimation is a fundamental step in assessing individual biological profiles when analyzing human skeletons. Yet, current methods are not reliable enough to allow an accurate sex identification of highly fragmented, burnt, or subadult remains. This paper aims to investigate sexual dimorphism of the bony labyrinth on both identified subadult and adult individuals. The bony labyrinth is of particular interest for sex estimation since it is alleged to complete size and maturation pre‐pubertally and is located inside the petrous part of the temporal bone which protects it from taphonomic processes. The study was performed on 93 CT scans of identified individuals from two Belgian osteological collections (19–20th century) and from current pediatric images (Erasme hospital, Brussels). Linear and angular measurements were taken on 2D slices of right bony labyrinths. Intra‐ and interobservers error measurements were calculated. Statistical tests were used to unravel any morphological variations between subadult and adult bony labyrinths and to highlight differences between females and males, separately in subadults and adults. Linear discriminant functions were established by cross‐validation and tested on an independent sample from Belgium. Some measurements were significantly different between subadults and adults, and between females and males within both subadult and adult samples. Univariate functions achieved 72.7% in subadults and 68.4% in adults whereas multivariate equations increased accuracy respectively up to 84.9% and 78.4%. This study entails promising results to design a sex estimation method suitable for fragmented and/or subadult remains. Further metric approaches are needed to explore bony labyrinth sexual dimorphism.
The effect of the Safer at Home order on the frequency of DUI breath alcohol tests in Los Angeles County
Authors: Apodaca Juan C. , Desharnais Robert A. , Mitchell Lennert J.
Published: February 2021

With Los Angeles County having a population size of just over 10 million and an additional 471,000 people who commute into Los Angeles County for employment, many drivers are at risk of being injured or killed in an alcohol‐impaired driving collision. On March 19, 2020, the County of Los Angeles issued the Safer at Home order as a result of the COVID‐19 pandemic. This curtailed driving and decreased the number of breath alcohol tests that were conducted in Los Angeles County. The number of breath tests conducted in January–February of 2019 and 2020 and March–April of 2019 and 2020 were evaluated using Fisher's exact test and analysis of variance. There was a statistically significant decrease in the overall number of breath tests conducted in Los Angeles County in March–April of 2020. There was also a significant decrease in the number of collisions where DUI was a factor. Accounting for changes in traffic volumes, the number of breath tests per vehicle miles driven also decreased significantly. Since the Safer at Home order closed all non‐essential services such as bars and restaurants, there is indirect data on the relative contribution of liquor‐serving establishments, and to some extent large social gatherings, to the incidence of drunk driving. Taking into account traffic volume, it was determined that the odds of encountering an intoxicated driver decreased by approximately 23% during the Safer at Home period. This information could help policy‐makers determine the likely effectiveness of various countermeasures to prevent drunk driving.
Supercooling as a potentially improved storage option for commercial kimchi
Authors: Kim Jinse , Choi Dong Soo , Kim Yong Hoon , Son Jae Yong , Park Chun Wan , Park Seok Ho , Hwang Young
Published: February 2021

The supercooling degree (SD), which refers to the difference between the ice nucleation temperature and freezing point of kimchi, varies depending on the type of kimchi, manufacturer, recipe, and manufacturing season. The aim of this study is to investigate the major influencing factors for the supercooled storage of kimchi and to analyze the possibility of supercooled storage for commercial kimchi. Pearson correlation analysis determined that, in commercial kimchi manufactured between March and July 2018, the SD of kimchi correlated to the number of aerobic bacteria (P < 0.01), however, was not associated with lactic acid bacteria. Moreover, the ice nucleation temperature of saline solution inoculated with aerobic bacteria was reduced from –3.03 ± 0.04 to –6.18 ± 0.11 °C by 10 kGy gamma ray sterilization. Meanwhile, the ice nucleation temperatures of 1.8 kg of commercial red cabbage kimchi and 500 g of white cabbage kimchi manufactured in February 2020 were –3.93 ± 0.06 °C and −3.57 ± 0.06 °C, respectively, and they could be stored at –2.5 °C for 12 weeks without freezing. Additionally, supercooled storage of kimchi at –2.5 °C caused a fermentation delay effect compared to control storage at 1 °C, considering the acidity and amount of lactic acid bacteria. Therefore, if the number of aerobic bacteria is controlled during the manufacturing process of kimchi, supercooled storage at temperatures below −2.5 °C may extend the shelf life of kimchi.

Practical Application

We have shown that aerobic bacteria are the key influencing factor for ice nucleation of kimchi during supercooled storage. Aside from the initial sterilization process, fermentation of kimchi can also be delayed by lowering the storage temperature below −2.5 °C. Moreover, the method of direct cool refrigeration may have an industrial‐level application.
When is it safe to eat different broiler chicken tissues after administration of doxycycline and tylosin mixture?
Authors: Monir Hany H. , Fayez Yasmin M. , Nessim Christine K. , Michael Adel M.
Published: February 2021

Residues of veterinary drugs in poultry meat have serious health effects on humans (e.g., antimicrobial resistance, carcinogenicity, and hypersensitivity), which make the control of veterinary drug residues an important parameter in ensuring consumer protection.  This work was performed to quantitatively determine two co‐formulated anti‐infective veterinary agents, tylosin tartrate (TYT) and doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) in different tissues of broiler chickens (liver, muscles, and fat) using high performance liquid chromatography. The chicken was treated with the recommended dose of a binary mixture of the drugs (Tydovet). Moreover, the study aimed to estimate the withdrawal time of both drugs in chicken tissues. The analysis was done by solvent extraction and solid‐phase extraction for clean‐up of samples from the tissue matrix, followed by liquid chromatographic determination of the cited drugs with UV‐detection. Residue decline with time was tracked, and both antibiotics were found to be more persistent in liver tissues than other tissues (muscle and fat). The effect of freezing and cooking was investigated on tissue residue levels. While freezing had little effect on the concentration of both antibiotics; cooking, as anticipated, led to a marked decline. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to the proper withdrawal periods before marketing to ensure the hygienic suitability of broilers edibles for safe human consumption.

Practical Application

This novel study measures tylosin and doxycycline residues simultaneously in different tissues (muscle, fat, and liver) after administration of Tydovet powder to the broiler chicken. Residues in fat persisted for a longer time than in muscle in case of TYT, whereas the reverse was noticed in DOX.
Chromosome‐scale assembly of the genome of Salixdunnii reveals a male‐heterogametic sex determination system on chromosome 7
Authors: He Li , Jia Kai‐Hua , Zhang Ren‐Gang , Wang Yuan , Shi Tian‐Le , Li Zhi‐Chao , Zeng Si‐Wen , Cai Xin‐Jie , Wagner Natascha Dorothea , Hörandl Elvira , Muyle Aline , Yang Ke , Charlesworth Deborah , Mao Jian‐Feng
Published: February 2021

Sex determination systems in plants can involve either female or male heterogamety (ZW or XY, respectively). Here we used Illumina short reads, Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long reads and Hi‐C reads to assemble the first chromosome‐scale genome of a female willow tree (Salix dunnii), and to predict genes using transcriptome sequences and available databases. The final genome sequence of 328 Mb in total was assembled in 29 scaffolds, and includes 31,501 predicted genes. Analyses of short‐read sequence data that included female and male plants suggested a male heterogametic sex‐determining factor on chromosome 7, implying that, unlike the female heterogamety of most species in the genus Salix, male heterogamety evolved in the subgenus Salix. The S. dunnii sex‐linked region occupies about 3.21 Mb of chromosome 7 in females (representing its position in the X chromosome), probably within a pericentromeric region. Our data suggest that this region is enriched for transposable element insertions, and about one‐third of its 124 protein‐coding genes were gained via duplications from other genome regions. We detect purifying selection on the genes that were ancestrally present in the region, though some have been lost. Transcriptome data from female and male individuals show more male‐ than female‐biased genes in catkin and leaf tissues, and indicate enrichment for male‐biased genes in the pseudo‐autosomal regions. Our study provides valuable genomic resources for further studies of sex‐determining regions in the family Salicaceae, and sex chromosome evolution.
Primary signet‐ring cell carcinoma of the lung in an HIV‐positive patient
Authors: Testori Alberto , Perroni Gianluca , Carlo Camilla De , Crepaldi Alessandro , Alloisio Marco , Cioffi Ugo
Published: February 2021

Primary lung signet‐ring cell carcinomas are a rare entity and only a few cases of pure signet‐ring cell carcinomas of the lung are reported in the English literature. They usually have an aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis because in most cases they are identified at an advanced stage. We present a unique case of primary signet‐ring cell carcinoma of the lung because the patient was HIV positive, a heavy smoker, and also the tumor, discovered incidentally during chest x‐ray, was a pure type of signet‐ring cell carcinoma. Surgical therapy associated with chemoradiotherapy represents the gold standard in the care of these patients.
A high‐density genetic linkage map for Chinese perch (Siniperca chuatsi) using 2.3K genotyping‐by‐sequencing SNPs
Authors: Guo Wenjie , He Shan , Liang Xufang , Tian Changxu , Dou Yaqi , Lv Liyuan
Published: February 2021

Chinese perch, Siniperca chuatsi (Basilewsky), is one of the most commercially important cultured fishes in China. In the present study, a high‐density genetic linkage map of Chinese perch was constructed by genotyping‐by‐sequencing technique with an F1 mapping panel containing 190 progenies. A total of 2328 SNPs were assigned to 24 linkage groups (LGs), agreeing with the chromosome haploid number in this species (n = 24). The sex‐averaged map covered 97.9% of the Chinese perch genome, with the length of 1694.3 cM and a marker density of 0.7 cM/locus. The number of markers per LG ranged from 57 to 222, with a mean of 97. The length of LGs varied from 43.2 to 108.2 cM, with a mean size of 70.6 cM. The recombination rate of females was 1.5:1, which was higher than that of males. To better understand the distribution pattern of segregation distortion between the two sexes of Chinese perch, the skewed markers were retained and used to reconstruct the sex‐specific maps. The 16 segregation distortion regions were identified on 10 LGs of the female map, while 12 segregation distortion regions on eight LGs of the male map. Among these LGs, six LGs matched between the sex‐specific maps. This high‐density linkage map could provide a solid basis for identifying QTL associated with economically important traits, and for implementing marker‐assisted selection breeding of Chinese perch.
Does Aversion to Price Risk Drive Migration? Evidence from Rural Ethiopia
Authors: Lee Yu Na
Published: February 2021

I investigate whether a rural household's aversion to commodity price volatility drives out‐migration. Adapting the standard agricultural household framework, I model a rural household's migration decision making under uncertainty in commodity prices and migrant wages. Empirical results indicate that a greater household‐level aversion to price risk is significantly related to a higher likelihood of out‐migration. Moreover, the significant relationship between aversion to price risk and migration is more pronounced in villages that lack daily markets and food aid, implying that the negative welfare effects of food price volatility may be amplified by underdeveloped market mechanisms and poor local infrastructure. A battery of robustness checks and falsification tests provide strong suggestive evidence to conclude that migration is a household strategy to manage price risk. This article is among the first to highlight the link between price risk and migration, and complements the literature on income risk and migration.
Providing fall prevention services in the emergency department: Is it effective? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Harper Kristie J. , Arendts Glenn , Barton Annette D. , Celenza Antonio
Published: February 2021

Objective

To assess the effects of fall prevention services initiated in the emergency department (ED) to support patients after discharge.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted. Analysis of pooled data used random‐effects modelling with results presented as a risk ratio (RR).

Results

Eleven studies were identified (n = 4,018). The proportion of older adults who fell did not differ between the intervention and control groups (RR 0.93; 95% CI, 0.82‐1.06, I2 68%, P = 0.28). There was a significant (P = 0.01) reduction in the monthly rate of falling (RR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.52‐0.91, I2 93%), fall‐related injuries (RR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.59‐0.88, I2 0%, P = 0.001), and hospital admissions (RR 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64‐0.90, I2 0%, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

ED fall prevention services did not significantly reduce the proportion of older adults who had future falls. However, multifactorial intervention significantly reduced fall‐related injuries and hospital admissions with low heterogeneity.
Cutaneous manifestations and dermatological sequelae of Covid‐19 infection compared to those from other viruses
Authors: Sharma Surabhi , Raby Edward , Prasad Kumarasinghe Sujith
Published: February 2021

In the last few months, there have been numerous reports describing a variety of cutaneous signs associated with COVID‐19. Clinicians from Italy were the first to describe the cutaneous manifestations of COVID‐19, which were later observed in other parts of the globe. In some cases, cutaneous signs were the only manifestation of COVID‐19 rather than the typical syndrome of fever and upper respiratory tract symptoms. However, there is considerable heterogeneity amongst the cutaneous signs described so far, which has been published extensively. Our aim is to summarise the latest studies that have reported the early and late cutaneous signs of COVID‐19 and compare them to the most common established viral exanthems.
Tactical dissonance
Authors: ONG ANDREW
Published: February 2021

The United Wa State Army (UWSA), an insurgent polity in the highlands of the Myanmar‐China border, has kept the Myanmar state at bay for 30 years. It runs its own administration and controls its territorial boundaries, but disavows secession and independence. It parades its army and walks out of national peace talks, but pledges to defend Myanmar's sovereignty and flies the Myanmar flag. This tactical dissonance consists of oscillating political relations, in which the UWSA intermittently makes and breaks ties with the outside. It is an incongruity both mimicking and disavowing various state effects in an improvisational attempt to adopt political registers and logics that allow it to avoid state domination and express the autonomy it seeks. This relational autonomy paradoxically fosters accommodation and stability, calling into question our assumptions about rebellion, disorder, and peace amid insurgency. [autonomy, insurgency, de facto states, United Wa State Army, Wa Region, Myanmar]
Epac activation induces an extracellular Ca2+‐independent Ca2+ wave that triggers acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa
Authors: Mata‐Martínez Esperanza , Sánchez‐Tusie Ana Alicia , Darszon Alberto , Mayorga Luis S. , Treviño Claudia L. , De Blas Gerardo A.
Published: February 2021

Background

The signaling pathways of the intracellular second messengers cAMP and Ca2+ play a crucial role in numerous physiological processes in human spermatozoa. One such process is the acrosome reaction (AR), which is necessary for spermatozoa to traverse the egg envelope and to expose a fusogenic membrane allowing the egg–sperm fusion. Progesterone and zona pellucida elicit an intracellular Ca2+ increase that is needed for the AR in the mammalian spermatozoa. This increase is mediated by an initial Ca2+ influx but also by a release from intracellular Ca2+ stores. It is known that intracellular Ca2+ stores play a central role in the regulation of [Ca2+]i and in the generation of complex Ca2+ signals such as oscillations and waves. In the human spermatozoa, it has been proposed that the cAMP analog and specific agonist of Epac 8‐(p‐chlorophenylthio)‐2'‐O‐methyladenosine‐3’,5'‐cyclic monophosphate (2'‐O‐Me‐cAMP) elicits an intracellular Ca2+ release involved in the AR.

Objective

To identify the molecular entities involved in the Ca2+ mobilization triggered by 2'‐O‐Me‐cAMP in human spermatozoa.

Materials and Methods

In capacitated human spermatozoa, we monitored Ca2+ dynamics and the occurrence of the AR in real time using Fluo 3‐AM and FM4‐64 in a Ca2+‐free medium.

Results

Epac activation by 2'‐O‐Me‐cAMP induced a Ca2+ wave that started in the midpiece and propagated to the acrosome region. This Ca2+ response was sensitive to rotenone, CGP, xestospongin, NED‐19, and thapsigargin, suggesting the participation of different ion transporters (mitochondrial complex I and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, inositol 3‐phosphate receptors, two‐pore channels and internal store Ca2+‐ATPases).

Discussion

Our results suggest that Epac activation promotes a dynamic crosstalk between three different intracellular Ca2+ stores: the mitochondria, the redundant nuclear envelope, and the acrosome.

Conclusion

The Ca2+ wave triggered by Epac activation is necessary to induce the AR and to enhance the flagellar beat.
An unusual ECG change after a car crash
Authors: Li Yi , Liu Tong , Shi Yajuan , Shi Xiaolin
Published: February 2021

A 34‐year‐old male patient was preparing for splenic artery embolization because of a car crash. Personal or family histories of cardiovascular diseases, sudden cardiac death, or Brugada syndrome were denied. Type 1 Brugada pattern was observed in the preoperative electrocardiogram and gradually resolved within a week. Chest blunt trauma may contribute to the transient ECG changes, and some particular considerations should be taken in this patient.
Shoulder injections with autologous conditioned serum reduce pain and disability in glenohumeral osteoarthritis: longitudinal observational study
Authors: Simon Maciej J. K. , Aartsen Vivian E. , Coghlan Jennifer A. , Strahl André , Bell Simon N.
Published: February 2021

Background

Currently, non‐surgical treatments for glenohumeral osteoarthritis (GH‐OA) mainly aim to reduce pain. Autologous conditioned serum (ACS), Orthokine, an interleukin‐1 inhibitor from the patient's own blood has an anti‐inflammatory effect. The objective was to determine whether intra‐articular injections of this ACS improved symptoms in patients with GH‐OA and delayed the need for a shoulder replacement.

Methods

A total of 36 consecutive patients, 40 shoulders, with OA received up to 6‐weekly intra‐articular injections of ACS were included. Imaging of GH‐OA, range of motion, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain, Shoulder Pain And Disability Index (SPADI), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons and Constant scores were assessed pre‐injection and post treatment at 3 months. At a minimum of 2 years, VAS and SPADI scores and whether anyone had progressed to a shoulder replacement were recorded.

Results

Outcomes 3 months post‐ACS injections demonstrated on average statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) of all measurements: SPADI (54.3 ± 21.5 vs 43.7 ± 23.7), Constant score (50.5 ± 14.1 vs 57.1 ± 17.4), VAS pain (4.8 ± 2.2 vs 3.7 ± 2.4) and range of motion. Of these, 16 shoulders progressed to a shoulder replacement, nine cases quickly (0.6 ± 0.2 years) and seven cases were delayed by 3.1 ± 1.7 years. The other 18 cases had significant improvement in pain, SPADI (58.0 ± 19.6 to 31.8 ± 21.4; P < 0.01) scores and no progression to a shoulder replacement at 3.6 ± 1.0 years follow‐up. There was no correlation of glenoid Walch score or joint space with clinical outcome parameters.

Conclusion

ACS injections in the shoulder joint for OA can reduce pain and disability, and postpone the need for a shoulder replacement.
The Biopolitics of Cattle Methane Emissions Reduction: Governing Life in a Time of Climate Change
Authors: McGregor Andrew , Rickards Lauren , Houston Donna , Goodman Michael K. , Bojovic Milena
Published: February 2021

In this paper we analyse ongoing attempts to mitigate cattle methane emissions through the lens of biopower. Drawing on IPCC and FAO reports as well as the scientific literature, we detail how the problem of cattle methane has been made visible and the subsequent efforts that have emerged to govern human and non‐human life from molecular to global scales. Such efforts have been thwarted by the liveliness of cattle, farmers and consumers. Rather than mitigating emissions, production‐oriented cattle methane research has assisted the expansion of cattle emissions by promising an immanent solution that is never realised. More recent consumption‐oriented strategies are overdue but limited by a hesitancy to fully address the political problems associated with transitioning away from beef and dairy. More direct and transparent responses are needed to confront the contradictions between the expansion of animal agriculture and global efforts to mitigate climate change in fair and just ways.
Efficient error variance estimation in non‐parametric regression
Authors: Li Zhijian , Lin Wei
Published: February 2021

Error variance estimation plays a key role in the analysis of homogeneous non‐parametric regression models. For a random design model, most methods in the literature for error variance estimation assume the independence between the predictor variable X and the error ε. In this work, we derive the optimal semi‐parametric efficiency bound for the error variance without such an independence assumption. A residual‐based efficient estimator for is proposed and its asymptotic normality is established. An extensive simulation study is conducted, which shows that our proposed estimator works very favourably against competitors. A simple real‐data example is also presented.
Insights into adolescent well‐being from computerised analysis of written language
Authors: Shearer Natalie J. , Gillespie Alanna N. , Olds Tim S. , Mensah Fiona K. , Edwards Ben , Fernando Julian W. , Wang Yichao , Wake Melissa , Lycett Kate
Published: February 2021

Aim

To examine associations between patterns of language use and early adolescent well‐being.

Methods

Participants were 1763 Australian 11‐ to 12‐year‐olds in the Child Health CheckPoint. Six patterns of language use were identified from a writing activity using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count and factor analysis: Acting in the present and future, Positive emotion, Gender and relationships, Self‐aware, Inquisitive and time focused, and Confident. Well‐being measures represented a spectrum from negatively to positively framed psychosocial health. Associations between language use and well‐being were estimated using linear regression adjusted for age, sex and social disadvantage.

Results

Positive emotion (high emotional tone, positive emotion) was associated with better general well‐being (standardised regression coefficient (SRC) 0.05; 95% confidence interval 0.00 to 0.11; p = 0.04), life satisfaction (0.06; 0.01 to 0.11; p = 0.03), psychosocial health (0.07; 0.02 to 0.12; p = 0.01) and quality of life (QoL) (0.06; 0.01 to 0.11; p = 0.02). Similarly, Self‐aware (high first person singular pronouns, authentic, low clout) was associated with better general well‐being, life satisfaction and psychosocial health (SRC 0.05, 0.09, 0.08), but Confident (high clout, first person plural pronouns, affiliation) was associated with worse life satisfaction, psychosocial health and QoL (SRC −0.06, −0.09, −0.06).

Conclusion

If replicated in ‘real‐world’ settings (e.g., social media), language patterns could provide naturalistic insights into early adolescents’ well‐being.
The Oxford Catalogue of Opioids: A systematic synthesis of opioid drug names and their pharmacology
Authors: Richards Georgia C. , Sitkowski Konrad , Heneghan Carl , Aronson Jeffrey K.
Published: February 2021

Aim

The growing demand for analgesia, coupled with an increasing need to treat opioid dependence and overdose, has escalated the development of novel opioids. We aimed to quantify the number of opioid drugs developed and to catalogue them based on their pharmacology.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of seven sources in November 2020, including the WHO's Anatomical Therapeutic Classification index, the British National Formulary, the IUPHAR/BPS Guide to Pharmacology, the International Narcotics Control Board Index of Names of Narcotic Drugs, the WHO's International Nonproprietary Names MedNet service, Martindale's Extra Pharmacopoeia and the Merck Index, to include opioid drugs that targeted or had an effect or coeffect at one or more opioid receptors. We extracted chemical and nonproprietary names, drug stems, molecular formulas, molecular weights, receptor targets, actions at opioid receptors and classes based on their origins. We used descriptive statistics and calculated medians and interquartile ranges where appropriate.

Results

We identified 233 opioid drugs and created an online resource (https://www.catalogueofopioids.net/). There were 10 unique drug stems, and “‐fentanil” accounted for one‐fifth (20%) of all opioids. Most of the drugs (n = 133) targeted mu‐opioid receptors and the majority (n = 191) were agonists at one or more receptors. Most (82%) were synthetic opioids, followed by semisynthetic opioids (16%) and alkaloids (3%).

Conclusion

This catalogue centralizes and disseminates information that could assist researchers, prescribers and the public to improve the safe use of opioids.
Sin sectors and negative screening
Authors: Muñoz Fernando
Published: February 2021

In this research, I analyse how exposure to sin sectors impacts the financial performance of socially responsible (SR) funds. I also analyse the question of whether or not these funds keep their word and are less exposed to the controversial sectors that they claim to exclude in their prospectuses. Additionally, I analyse how local political and religious factors exert an influence on the exposure of SR funds to sin sectors. Consequently, I analyse a sample comprising 136 SR mutual funds that were domiciled in the U.S. market in the period March 2017–April 2020 and who invest in domestic and global equity, of which 92 implement negative screens on at least 1 of 12 controversial activities. My results show that for seven (three) of the controversial sectors that were analysed, the exposure of SR funds to these sectors jeopardises (improves) their financial performance. Furthermore, SR mutual funds who perform negative screens tend to live up to their name and are less exposed to the sector/s that they claim to exclude. In addition, SR mutual funds managed by companies located in Democrat‐leaning states are less exposed to sin sectors, and that the effect of local religiosity depends on the specific sector analysed.
Cultivating conscience: Moral neurohabilitation of adolescents and young adults with conduct and/or antisocial personality disorders
Authors: Tuck Nancy , Glenn Linda MacDonald
Published: February 2021

Individuals diagnosed with conduct disorder (CD) in childhood and adolescence are at risk for increasingly maladaptive and dangerous behaviors, which unchecked, can lead to antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in adulthood. Children with CD, especially those with the callous unemotional subgroup qualifier (“limited prosocial emotions”/DSM‐5), present with a more severe pattern of delinquency, aggression, and antisocial behavior, all markings of prodrome ASPD. Given this recognized diagnostic trajectory, with a pathological course playing out tragically at the individual, familial, and societal level, and lack of effective remediation via current standards of care, we posit an alternate treatment approach; case‐specific compulsory moral habilitation aimed at rectifying the undeveloped affective domain of adolescents and young adults suffering from these disorders. We begin with a brief historical overview of response to mental illness, review CD and ASPD diagnostic criteria and treatment limitations, and posit a unique neurohabilitative approach that focuses on the absent affective moral development of these populations. Next, we invoke a public health safety argument to justify case‐specific compulsory moral habilitation, discuss neurotechnologies to be considered in treatment, and conclude with ethical considerations and suggestions for further research.
Evolution of palaeo‐sea‐surface conditions and sediment dynamics over the last 2700 years on the Mackenzie Slope, Beaufort Sea (Canadian Arctic)
Authors: Kutos Omnain , Rochon André , Montero‐Serrano Jean‐Carlos
Published: February 2021

A box core and a trigger weight core were recovered from the Mackenzie Slope (Canadian Beaufort Sea) and combined into a composite sequence (AMD0214‐03BC/TWC: 03CS) to investigate dinocyst assemblages and the mineralogical and geochemical compositions. This allowed the estimation of sea‐surface conditions and documentation of changes in detrital inputs related to Late Holocene ocean‐climate variability over the last 2700 years. The trends of detrital proxies and freshwater palynomorphs were similar to the reconstructed changes in large‐scale ocean–atmosphere climate modes, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO). The palynological data reveal four distinct time intervals. The first period from 700 to 0 BCE was characterized by high surface and benthic productivities. This and the high freshwater palynomorph flux recorded in this period imply considerable freshwater input from the Mackenzie River with northern Mackenzie Basin sediment sources and enhanced transport of nutrient‐rich Pacific water along the Mackenzie Slope. From 0 to 1500 CE, the weather conditions were possibly drier, with a decrease in the Mackenzie River discharge and nutrient supply. Milder sea‐surface conditions associated with the Medieval Warm Period (800–1525 CE) likely promoted more prolonged seasonal sea‐ice melting. The period from 1500 to 1900 CE featured increasing fresh water and a mixed provenance of detrital particles (with most particles originating from the northern Mackenzie Basin and a minor contribution from the southern basin). Colder conditions associated with the Little Ice Age period (1525–1865 CE) likely promoted longer sea‐ice durations on the Mackenzie Slope. The final period, from 1900 CE to the present, has been dominated by taphonomic processes rather than climatic variations. Overall, this study provides a better understanding of the evolution of land–ocean interactions on the Mackenzie Slope.
G‐CSFR antagonism reduces mucosal injury and airways fibrosis in a virus‐dependent model of severe asthma
Authors: Wang Hao , Aloe Christian , McQualter Jonathan , Papanicolaou Angelica , Vlahos Ross , Wilson Nick , Bozinovski Steven
Published: February 2021

Background and Purpose

Asthma is a chronic disease that displays heterogeneous clinical and molecular features. A phenotypic subset of late‐onset severe asthmatics has debilitating fixed airflow obstruction, increased neutrophilic inflammation and a history of pneumonia. Influenza A virus (IAV) is an important viral cause of pneumonia and asthmatics are frequently hospitalised during IAV epidemics. This study aims to determine whether antagonising granulocyte colony stimulating factor receptor (G‐CSFR) prevents pneumonia‐associated severe asthma.

Experimental Approach

Mice were sensitised to house dust mite (HDM) to establish allergic airway inflammation and subsequently infected with IAV (HKx31/H3N2 subtype). A neutralising monoclonal antibody against G‐CSFR was therapeutically administered.

Key Results

In IAV‐infected mice with prior HDM sensitisation, a significant increase in airway fibrotic remodelling and airways hyper‐reactivity was observed. A mixed granulocytic inflammatory profile consisting of neutrophils, macrophages and eosinophils was prominent and at a molecular level, G‐CSF expression was significantly increased in HDMIAV‐treated mice. Blockage of G‐CSFR reduced neutrophilic inflammation in the bronchoalveolar and lungs by over 80% in HDMIAV‐treated mice without altering viral clearance. Markers of NETosis (dsDNA and myeloperoxidase in bronchoalveolar), tissue injury (LDH activity in bronchoalveolar) and oedema (total bronchoalveolar‐fluid protein) were also significantly reduced with anti‐G‐CSFR treatment. In addition, anti‐G‐CSFR antagonism significantly reduced bronchoalveolar gelatinase activity, active TFGβ lung levels, collagen lung expression, airways fibrosis and airways hyper‐reactivity in HDMIAV‐treated mice.

Conclusions and Implications

We have shown that antagonising G‐CSFR‐dependent neutrophilic inflammation reduced pathological disruption of the mucosal barrier and airways fibrosis in an IAV‐induced severe asthma model.
Innovation ecosystem strategies of industrial firms: A multilayered approach to alignment and strategic positioning
Authors: Visscher Klaasjan , Hahn Katrin , Konrad Kornelia
Published: February 2021

There is a growing interest in innovation ecosystems. Embedding innovation processes in ecosystems comes with several opportunities and managerial challenges. This paper's aim is to increase our understanding of the strategies that industrial firm managers use to deal with innovation ecosystems. How do they align partners and activities while securing and developing their role in the ecosystem? Drawing on 98 interviews with CEOs, CTOs and innovation managers in Germany and the Netherlands, we identify two layers in innovation ecosystems: an explorative layer, which is open and aimed at identifying opportunities for innovation, and an exploitative layer, which is semi‐closed and aimed at enacting these opportunities to create new value propositions for customers. We analyse how companies act upon these two layers productively, particularly in relation to alignment and strategic positioning; how they create synergies between the different layers; and how they cope with the existing tensions. Furthermore, we discuss differences in strategic choices regarding ecosystem strategies, and propose a maturity model for the development of innovation ecosystem strategies.