bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Functional correlation of H3K9me2 and nuclear compartment formation
Authors: Fukuda Kei , Shimura Chikako , Miura Hisashi , Tanigawa Akie , Suzuki Takehiro , Dohmae Naoshi , Hiratani Ichiro , Shinkai Yoichi
Published: August 2020

Background

Histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) is a highly conserved silencing epigenetic mark. Chromatin marked with H3K9me2 forms large domains in mammalian cells and correlates well with lamina-associated domains and the B compartment. However, the role of H3K9me2 in 3-dimensional (3D) genome organization remains unclear.

Results

We investigated the genome-wide H3K9me2 distribution, the transcriptome and 3D genome organization in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) upon the inhibition or depletion of H3K9 methyltransferases (MTases) G9a/GLP, SETDB1, and SUV39H1/2. We found that H3K9me2 is regulated by these five MTases; however, H3K9me2 and transcription in the A and B compartments were largely regulated by different sets of the MTases: H3K9me2 in the A compartments were mainly regulated by G9a/GLP and SETDB1, while H3K9me2 in the B compartments were regulated by all five H3K9 MTases. Furthermore, decreased H3K9me2 correlated with the changes to the more active compartmental state that accompanied transcriptional activation.

Conclusion

Our data showed that H3K9me2 domain formation is functionally linked to 3D genome organization.
The Steinhoff signals: The role of responsible investing for asset managers
Authors: Haasbroek Hendrik Jacobus , Bick Geoff , Giamporcaro Stephanie
Published: August 2020

Subject area of the teaching case:

The case can be used in the subject areas of finance and in particular investments, corporate governance, ESG, or responsible investments. It is suitable for students from all financial backgrounds, from a novice in the financial markets to an expert in finance. It is, however, expected that the class should have a sound fundamental grounding in financial analysis and valuations. The purpose of this case is to prepare students for future investments they would make in whatever capacity – whether in private or listed companies – and to prepare them for future roles on boards of directors. The examples of real-life events in this case study are used to prepare students for future similar situations in which they might find themselves.

Student level:

This teaching case is aimed at postgraduate students pursuing an MBA or a specialist Masters in a finance programme. This case can be used as a master class in corporate governance, investments, or responsible investments. This case is also suited for an executive education class in management. It is particularly relevant to a module that focusses on investments, corporate governance, ESG, or responsible investments.

Brief overview of the teaching case:

The case study chronicles meetings held on 8 November 2017 at a fictional South African asset manager, Active Investment Management (AIM). These meetings discuss the firm's investment in JSE-listed Steinhoff International Holdings. The case deals with the questions that active fund managers need to address when balancing financial analysis; environmental, social, and governance (ESG) analysis; portfolio management; and the need to comply with their fiduciary duty to clients. It also looks at the need for responsible investing in decision-making.

Expected learning outcomes:

The understanding of the assessment around the complexities of asset management when it comes to responsible investment.

To determine why institutional investors should apply responsible investment principles when making investment decisions.

An understanding of the evaluation of the unique roles of the three pillars of corporate governance, namely asset managers, auditors, and the board of directors.

The ability to assess how to integrate financial analysis and ESG principles in making investment recommendations.
Group foraging in carnivorous plants: Carnivorous plant Drosera makinoi (Droseraceae) is more effective at trapping larger prey in large groups
Authors: Tagawa Kazuki , Watanabe Mikio
Published: August 2020

Some predatory animals, represented by large carnivores, forage in groups and benefit from this behavior. We tested the hypothesis that carnivorous plants also benefit from group foraging to improve the efficiency of trapping large prey using Drosera makinoi (Droseraceae). As a result of our field observations, it was found that larger neighboring D. makinoi density yields a greater number of large preys (≥3 mm) and total prey biomass per plant. Results showed that a total of 43.4% of the events to trap large prey was achieved by two trap leaves belonging to two neighboring D. makinoi plants. Our results proved that group foraging in D. makinoi enables them to trap large prey.
On the “merger paradox” in price competition with asymmetric product differentiation
Authors: Toshimitsu Tsuyoshi , Nakajima Tetsuya
Published: August 2020

By assuming asymmetric product differentiation, we consider the “merger paradox” in price competition (or the incentive to collude in prices). We investigate whether the emergence of the merger paradox depends on the degree of product differentiation between firms. In particular, unlike Deneckere and Davidson (1985), we demonstrate that if the degree of product differentiation between the insider and outsider is sufficiently small, then they are strategic substitutes, and thus, the merger paradox arises in price competition.
Catholic Child Migration Schemes from the United Kingdom to Australia: Systemic Failures and Religious Legitimation
Authors: Lynch Gordon
Published: August 2020

Between 1938 and 1956, an estimated 1,147 children were sent from the United Kingdom to Australia through child migration initiatives delivered by Catholic organisations. Whilst experiences of child migrants varied, there has been a growing public recognition over the past thirty years of the trauma experienced by many. Although the suffering of child migrants occurred in the context of wider policy failures, this article argues that there was a particular pattern of systemic failures characteristic of these Catholic schemes. After providing an overview of the complex organisational structure through which Catholic child migration operated, the article identifies six systemic failures in this work relating both to organisational processes and the institutional conditions to which child migrants were sent. It goes on to argue that these occurred in a framework of religious legitimation which emphasised the unique role of the church as a mediator of salvation, the need to safeguard children's faith, the child as a member of a corporate body more than as an individual and the relative moral authority of the church over secular institutions. Within this framework, these systemic failures were either unrecognised or seen as tolerable in the context of wider organisational and theological priorities.
Look back at text or rely on memory? Efficacy of reading comprehension strategies in good and poor oral comprehenders
Authors: Tobia Valentina , Bonifacci Paola
Published: August 2020

Background

Reading comprehension is a multifactorial process, but one of its features has been relatively under‐investigated: it is the strategy used when answering reading comprehension questions. In order to find the correct answer, children can either respond to questions about a text relying on their text memory or look back at the written text. This study analyses (i) which strategy, memory or look‐back is more frequently adopted in primary school children according to grade level and type of text (expository vs narrative) and (ii) the preferred (most frequently used) and more efficient (higher number of correct responses) strategy for poor oral comprehenders. Poor oral comprehenders were selected for having adequate nonword decoding skills but impaired oral comprehension, compared with good oral comprehenders.

Methods

The total sample comprised 1,417 primary school children. A standardised test assessing reading and comprehension of oral and written language was administered.

Results

In the comparison among children attending different grades, older children showed a more frequent use of the look‐back strategy for the expository text, whereas no age‐related difference emerged for the narrative text. Poor oral comprehenders (n = 88) showed a different pattern, compared with matched good oral comprehenders (n = 88), for both preference and efficiency of strategies. Despite having a globally poorer performance in reading comprehension, poor oral comprehenders were more accurate than good oral comprehenders when using the look‐back strategy.

Conclusions

The complex pattern of results obtained reinforces the idea that intervention strategies should be personalised based on individual characteristics and specific for the type of task and text.
‘It's Only Leftist Women Who Talk that Damn Nonsense About Women Being at a Disadvantage’: Eugenia Charles's Gender Politics in Dominica
Authors: Umoren Imaobong
Published: August 2020

Born in 1919 in Dominica and educated in Grenada, Canada and Britain, Eugenia Charles became the islands first female barrister, head of a political party and in 1980, Prime Minister. With political views on the right of the spectrum, her close alliances and friendships with Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan as well as her own defiant personality, Charles gained the title of ‘Iron Lady of the Caribbean’. This moniker, however, obscures more than it reveals, especially when it relates to Charles's gender politics. This article examines her speeches, interviews and policies and argues that a politics of contradiction and ambivalence characterised Charles's gender politics. This ambivalence partly explains the resilience of andocentric masculinist ideologies present in Caribbean political structures. Moreover, it demonstrates the continuity of ‘first‐wave’ Caribbean feminism in the late twentieth century and the pragmatism of women in politics.
The housing consumption capital asset pricing model with an antichresis rent market: Nonseparability and composition risk
Authors: Kim Jihun , Hur Seok‐Kyun , Park Yun W.
Published: August 2020

We develop a housing consumption capital asset pricing model for economies with an antichresis rent market wherein property owners receive up‐front lump‐sum deposits from renters instead of monthly rents and use it as leverage to acquire housing assets for rent. We estimate the model using antichresis rent market and stock market data for Korea. We find that housing consumption and nonhousing consumption, which are complementary over the long term, have sufficient cross‐sectional elasticity of substitution, leading to a meaningful composition risk premium. We find that the housing expenditure share is procyclical, while intratemporal elasticity of substitution between housing and nonhousing consumption is close to but larger than one and greater than intertemporal elasticity of substitution. As a result, the composition risk arising from the nonseparability of housing and nonhousing consumption induces a sizable positive risk premium. Finally, we examine the effect of interest rate risk by decomposing composition risk into interest rate risk and noninterest rate risk and find that interest rate risk is primarily responsible for the positive composition risk premium.
Characterization of Algerian‐Seized Hashish Over Eight Years (2011–2018). Part I: Physical Categorization
Authors: Boumrah Yacine , Baroudi Salem , Kecir Mohamed , Bouanani Sabrina
Published: August 2020

Data on the physical characteristics of North African hashish are scarce. This article exploits hashish seizure data collected over an 8‐year period (2011–2018) in Algeria in order to establish a physical profile of North African hashish. The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis in order to characterize the three main forms in which North African hashish is packaged, namely hashish bags, hashish packets, and hashish units (slab bars). The study revealed that 82% of hashish bags weigh 25 kg that hashish bags are made either as a handbag or as a back bag that they are most often wrapped with woven plastic. Two hashish bag configurations were identified—Bag‐Packet‐Unit (79%) and Bag‐Unit (21%)—and 81% of the total studied bags featured logos. Hashish packets contain the units, which are wrapped with three to five different types of packaging to constitute packets of 0.5 kg (65%) or 1 kg (32%), with two different configurations including 100‐ or 250‐g units. Hashish packets are mainly covered with adhesive tape, and only 18% of them feature inscriptions. Hashish units are found in three different shapes: slab bar (most common), soap bar, and egg‐shaped bar. Sixty‐five percent of the North African hashish slab bars have a weight of 100 g; other weights are 250 g (20%), 90 g (10%), and 200 g (2%). Most of the 90–100 g units have a light brown color, and 200–250 g units are dark brown in color. Sixty‐four percent of hashish units contain logos. Five logo classes were identified: letters (37%), numbers (27%), symbols (23%), animals (11%), and, more recently, “paper logos” at just 2%, exclusively reserved for high‐quality hashish and entirely intended for the European market. The findings of this work allow for the establishment of a profiling platform of hashish seizures in this region and can be generalized to all countries that report this region as the primary source of seized hashish within their territory.
Application of commercial kits using DNA‐based and immunochemical methods for determination of shrimp allergens in kimchi and its ingredients
Authors: Jeong Seul‐Gi , Kim Sung Hyun
Published: August 2020

Shrimps cause a significant part of crustacea‐related allergies. It is used in processed foods, including fermented Korean foods, such as kimchi. Even low amounts of shrimp allergens can provoke reactions in consumers allergic to shrimp. Accurate food labeling is the most effective means of preventing the consumption of allergenic ingredients. To validate labeling compliance and minimize the risk of cross‐contaminations, the effectiveness of methodologies used for the detection of allergens in foods should be compared. Here, seven commercial kits, based on quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), were assessed for their ability to detect the presence of shrimp allergens in food. Our results showed that SureFood real‐time PCR kit and Ridascreen ELISA kit had the highest recovery, whereas five other kits underperformed in the determination of allergen content of kimchi and its ingredients. The variation in recovery among the kits depended on the limit of detection and reactivity to the shrimp allergens, tropomyosin, and sarcoplasmic calcium‐binding protein.

Practical Application

This research confirms the performance of commercial kits to detect the presence of shrimp allergens in kimchi, and demonstrates that the sensitivity of these kits depends on reactivity to the specific shrimp allergenic proteins. These results can be used to food allergy labeling and can be applied by the food industry to develop allergen test kits for fermented foods with improved performance.
Improving walnuts’ preservation by using walnut phenolic extracts as natural antioxidants through a walnut protein‐based edible coating
Authors: Grosso Antonella L. , Riveros Cecilia , Asensio Claudia M. , Grosso Nelson R. , Nepote Valeria
Published: August 2020

Walnut kernels contain high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids that determine a limited shelf life on these nuts. The application of walnut phenolics as antioxidants through a walnut protein‐based coating, obtained from walnut oil cake residue, can help to increase the shelf life of walnuts. The objective was to evaluate the preservative effect of walnut polyphenols included in a walnut‐proteic edible coating on walnut kernels. Three treatments of walnuts coated with walnut flour were prepared: without the addition of antioxidants (control); with the addition of a walnut phenolic extract; and with the addition of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). On the last storage day, the sample with the addition of walnut phenolics presented a lower peroxide (3.64 meq 02/kg oil) and anisidine value (1.11), conjugated diene (15.92), and hexanal content (19.67 × 106 e.c.) than the control sample (6.23, 1.81, 24.65, and 122.37 × 106 e.c., respectively). Also, on the last day, the control sample showed the highest deterioration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (from 74.83 to 71.08 g/100g), carotenoid (from 3.43 to 1.90 mg/kg), and γ‐tocopherol content (from 349.66 to 298.42 mg/kg). In addition, this sample exhibited the highest oxidized (20.33) and the lowest walnut flavor intensity (64.67) on day 84. Regarding consumer acceptance, the phenolic‐added sample displayed a greater flavor acceptance score. Walnut phenolics, implemented through a walnut protein‐based coating, improve the preservation of walnuts.

Practical Application

The combination of walnut‐phenolic extracts and walnut‐based edible coating applied on walnuts by food industries allows to prolong their shelf life, by preserving their nutritional, sensory, and quality properties. Considering the practical feasibility, the procedure used to prepare these products is simple and requires machineries already present in food industries. In addition, the utilization of this coating with walnut‐phenolics exerts benefits like, the prevention of allergen cross‐contamination in the chain of production, the utilization of an industry's residue, the replacement of synthetic antioxidants and, and the diminishment of the amount and thickness of plastic needed for walnuts’ packaging.
Ultra‐high temperature (UHT) stability of chocolate flavored high protein beverages
Authors: Singh Jaspal , Prakash Sangeeta , Bhandari Bhesh , Bansal Nidhi
Published: August 2020

The effects of two milk protein formulations and κ‐carrageenan concentration (0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05%) on UHT (145 °C) fouling behavior and physical properties of chocolate flavored high protein beverages were studied. These two beverage formulations were: (i) reconstituted milk protein concentrate (RMPC‐Choco) and (ii) RMPC and reconstituted whey protein concentrate (C:W‐Choco). The UHT run times for samples prepared without κ‐carrageenan were very short (9.5 ± 0.71 and 26.5 ± 2.12 min for RMPC‐Choco‐0 and C:W‐Choco‐0, respectively) due to settlement of cocoa powder particles inside the UHT plant leading to severe fouling. The κ‐carrageenan requirement for UHT stable (UHT run times > 120 min) RMPC‐Choco and C:W‐Choco was 0.03 and 0.01%, respectively. The presence of higher amounts of whey proteins in C:W‐Choco lowered its κ‐carrageenan requirement to render it UHT stable due to additional gelation of whey proteins. This additional gelation was evident from larger average particle sizes and higher viscosity of UHT treated C:W‐Choco samples at κ‐carrageenan concentrations similar to RMPC‐Choco samples.

Practical Application

This research can be helpful to the food industry when formulating chocolate flavored high protein beverages; their protein profiles can be modified to lower the amount of stabilizers required to make them UHT stable.
COVID‐19: A Make or Break Moment for Global Policy Making
Authors: Maffettone Pietro , Oldani Chiara
Published: August 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic poses an unprecedented set of challenges to governments, policy makers and citizens; lockdowns and social distancing measures generate significant economic losses, fuel public expenditures and deficits and will no doubt significantly boost public debts. The burden of such measures is also likely to be disproportionately felt by the worse‐off members of society and will weigh heavily on future generations. This is both unfair and runs the risk of politically destabilizing the recovery process. To avoid these outcomes unconventional policy measure such as taxes on private wealth and digital economic activities, but also public debt monetization, should be considered. From a political perspective, governments should realize that policy coordination is the only successful exit strategy following a systemic economic shock. While the EU is moving faster than we are accustomed to, it still seems unable to respond quickly enough given the nature of the circumstances. In this picture, the G‐20, provided it acts quickly over the coming months, could emerge as the sole global policy forum left on the playing field that can avoid that national interests will prevail eventually producing collectively sub‐optimal results in the long‐run.
Animal models of sarcopenia
Authors: Christian Courtney J. , Benian Guy M.
Published: August 2020

Sarcopenia is the age‐related decline in muscle mass and function without any underlying disease. The exact molecular mechanisms responsible for this pathology remain unknown. The use of model organisms, such as mice, rats, flies, and worms, has advanced the field of sarcopenia research by identifying therapeutic strategies and genetic mutations that result in improved muscle mass and function of elderly animals. This review discusses molecular and therapeutic discoveries made using these model organisms and how these animals can be further utilized to better understand sarcopenia pathogenesis. In rodents, flies, and worms, dietary restriction improves muscle performance in old animals. In rodents and worms, exercise and a number of naturally occurring compounds alleviate sarcopenia. Reduction in the insulin/IGF1 receptor pathway, well known to promote longevity, improves sarcopenia in worms and flies. Mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of sarcopenia: In rodents, there is age‐dependent reduction in mitochondrial mass and a change in morphology; in nematodes, there is age‐dependent fragmentation of mitochondria that precedes sarcomeric disorganization. In Drosophila and rats, components of the 26S proteasome are elevated in aged muscle. An advantage of the worm and fly models is that these organisms lack muscle stem cells, and thus processes that promote the maintenance of already assembled muscle, can be identified without the confounding influence of muscle regeneration. Zebrafish are an up and coming model of sarcopenia for future consideration. A better understanding of the molecular changes behind sarcopenia will help researchers develop better therapies to improve the muscle health of elderly individuals.
The Impact of Clinical Seizure Characteristics on Recognition and Treatment of New‐onset Focal Epilepsy in Emergency Departments
Authors: Pellinen Jacob , Tafuro Erica , Baehr Avi , Barnard Sarah , Holmes Manisha , French Jacqueline ,   the Human Epilepsy Project Investigators
Published: August 2020

Objective

Many people with new‐onset focal epilepsy initially seek evaluation in emergency departments (EDs), and treatment decisions in EDs can influence likelihood of seizure recurrence. Using data collected for the Human Epilepsy Project (HEP), we assessed the effect of clinical seizure characteristics on ED clinical management.

Methods

There were 447 participants with new‐onset focal epilepsy seen within 4 months of treatment initiation who were eligible and enrolled in HEP. Seizure calendars and medical records were collected. Based on clinical descriptions, seizures were categorized by semiology according to International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classifications as either focal nonmotor or focal motor seizures.

Results

Overall, 279 of 447(62%) of participants had presented to an ED prior to or at time of epilepsy diagnosis. A total of 132 of 246 (53%) with initial nonmotor seizures presented to an ED. Of these, eight (6%) presented with a first‐lifetime nonmotor seizure. The other 124 (94%) presented after multiple seizures: seven (5%) with multiple nonmotor seizures and 117 (89%) with a first‐lifetime motor seizure after having prior nonmotor seizures. A total of 147 of 201 (73%) participants with initial motor seizures presented to an ED. Of these, 134 (92%) presented with a first‐lifetime motor seizure and 13 (9%) with multiple motor seizures. There was no difference in the likelihood of antiseizure medication initiation between participants who had multiple prior nonmotor seizures followed by a motor seizure (thereby fulfilling the criterion for an epilepsy diagnosis) versus those presenting with a single lifetime motor seizure (39% vs. 43%). There was no difference in recognition of seizures as the presenting complaint (85% vs. 87%) or whether the participant was admitted or referred to a neurologist (87% vs. 79%).

Conclusions

This study contributes to evidence of underrecognition of nonmotor focal seizure semiologies in ED settings, which can support large‐scale interventions aimed at improving recognition, specialist consultation, and treatment in ED settings.
Social network predictors of recent and sustained injection drug use cessation: findings from a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Rudolph Abby E. , Upton Elizabeth , Young April M. , Havens Jennifer R.
Published: August 2020

Background and aims

The US opioid crisis has led to increases in overdose fatalities and the incidence of HIV, hepatitis C and other infections. This analysis examines social network predictors of recent (self‐report injection followed by non‐injection) and sustained (self‐report non‐injection at two consecutive visits among those who previously injected) injection cessation in Appalachian Kentucky.

Design

Data were collected through bi‐annual longitudinal assessments for Social Networks among Appalachian People (SNAP; 2008–17). Using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations that clustered on individuals, we regressed non‐injection status on the number of social network members who (a) did not inject and (b) recently stopped injecting and tested for interactions between each social network exposure and prior non‐injection status. Social network exposures were self‐reported.

Setting

Rural eastern Kentucky, USA.

Participants

Participants entered the analysis only after reporting recent injection and had to have had at least two consecutive study visits (n = 326).

Measurements

Interviewer‐administered surveys collected individual‐level socio‐demographics, recent (past 6 months) drug use behaviors and the names of recent social support, sex and drug‐use partners.

Findings

After adjusting for confounders, the number of non‐injecting social network members was positively associated with recent/sustained injection cessation (adjusted odds ratio = 1.27; 95% confidence interval = 1.13–1.42) and having more social network members was associated with reduced odds of recent/sustained injection cessation. The number of previously injecting social network members who had recently stopped injecting was not statistically significantly associated with injection cessation. Neither of the interactions we tested for was statistically significant, suggesting that the relationships may be similar for those who recently stopped injecting versus had not injected for at least 1 year.

Conclusions

For each additional network member who did not inject drugs, there was an increased odds of recent and sustained injection cessation among people with a history of injection drug use in Appalachian Kentucky.
Adherence to a selective antenatal haemoglobinopathy screening policy within a tertiary level obstetric unit in Australia
Authors: Borbolla Foster Ailsa , Smith Elloise , Ross Bryony
Published: August 2020

Background

Haemoglobinopathies represent the most common single gene disorder worldwide; however, significant centre to centre variations in antenatal screening practices exist.

Aims

To assess performance of a selective antenatal haemoglobinopathy screening policy within a presumed low‐prevalence Australian population. Primary outcome was the failure to screen rate for women with at least one identifiable risk factor. Secondary outcomes included outcomes of maternal screening and rates, gestations and outcomes of paternal, prenatal and neonatal testing.

Materials and methods

A two‐year retrospective cohort study identifying all women attending for public antenatal care with at least one identifiable risk factor for haemoglobinopathy.

Results

At least one risk factor for haemoglobinopathy was identified in 8.8% of the entire pregnant cohort; however, the failure to screen rate was high at 83.7% overall. Screening was significantly more likely to be undertaken in multiparous women, those with multiple risk factors and women originating from the Middle East. Twenty percent of screened women returned an abnormal result; however, this led to paternal haemoglobinopathy screening in only 66.6%. Where completed, the addition of partner screening reclassified offspring to low‐risk status in 85.7% of cases.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates an 83.7% screen failure rate within a selective screening model raising concerns regarding the clinical utility and health equity of this approach. This major drawback of selective screening suggests that institution of a universal antenatal screening system for haemoglobinopathies, even in anticipated low‐prevalence areas, will improve detection rates and ensure families receive appropriate and timely counselling.
Menopausal hormonal therapy in gynaecological cancers: An evidence‐based approach for clinical management
Authors: Fenton Christine L. , McGauran Melissa J. , Richards Anthony M.
Published: August 2020

Treatment for gynaecological malignancies often requires oophorectomy or loss of ovarian function from adjuvant treatment. Premature or early menopause caused by gynaecological cancer treatment may require menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) to treat vasomotor symptoms. However, concerns exist due to theoretical risks of stimulation of hormonal‐sensitive tumours and hence increasing recurrence risk. There are small numbers of often underpowered fair to poor quality studies indicating that MHT is safe with most gynaecological malignancies. These studies are of variable quality with most being retrospective. We present the available data on this subject relative to the common types of gynaecological cancer.
The risk of sliding down
Authors: GARDINI MARCO
Published: August 2020

Working relationships are one of the most privileged arenas for renegotiating class and status distinctions, and the notion of “sliding down” is a common worry in many societies. In Madagascar the legacies of slavery powerfully haunt contemporary life, shaping the economic conditions and everyday power relations between employers and domestic workers. Socially isolated domestic workers often run the risk of “sliding down” the local ranked system of essentialized, endogamous status groups, a system that still divides families into three categories of origin: noble, common, and slave. While many employers try to reinforce their social prestige by “pushing others down,” domestic workers struggle to avoid being labeled and treated as a “slave.” Meanwhile, a global “neoabolitionist” movement may label these harsh forms of labor exploitation as a “new form of slavery,” but such labels might erode domestic workers’ efforts to de‐essentialize their stigmatized social position. [domestic work, status, class, slavery, Madagascar]
Reducing length of stay for patients presenting to general surgery with acute non‐surgical abdominal pain
Authors: de Burlet Kirsten J. , Desmond Brendan , Matsis Raphael , Harper Simon J. , Larsen Peter D. , Dennett Elizabeth R.
Published: August 2020

Background

Acute abdominal pain is a common surgical presentation. We previously found that over the last decade, more patients were admitted to hospital with non‐surgical diagnoses (e.g. gastroenteritis, constipation and non‐specific abdominal pain) and length of stay and use of imaging (mainly computed tomography scan) for these patients increased. This study aimed to reduce length of stay and use of imaging for patients admitted with non‐surgical abdominal pain.

Methods

A prospective study was undertaken in a tertiary centre evaluating length of stay and use of additional imaging in patients with a non‐surgical diagnosis after a quality improvement intervention was implemented.

Results

A total of 454 patients were included; 204 (44.9%) presented with non‐surgical abdominal pain. During the study period, a significant reduction in computed tomography scan requests was observed (38.5–25.0%, P = 0.037) and an increasing proportion of these patients were discharged within 12 h (33.3–57.1%, P = 0.018). The number of re‐presentations remained unchanged (P = 0.358).

Conclusions

The study intervention increased the proportion of patients with non‐surgical diagnoses that were successfully discharged within 12 h and reduced the use of additional imaging in this group. This may lead to improved use of health care resources for patients with more urgent diagnoses.
Paediatric Escherichia coli bacteraemia presentations and high‐risk factors in the emergency department
Authors: Elgoibar Borja , Gangoiti Iker , Garcia‐Garcia Juan José , Hernandez‐Bou Susanna , Gomez Borja , Martinez Indart Lorea , Mintegi Santiago ,   Bacteremia Study Working Group from the Infectious Diseases Working Group, Spanish Society of Pediatric Emergencies (SEUP)
Published: August 2020

Aim

Escherichia coli (E coli) is a known cause of paediatric bacteraemia. The main objective was to characterise the emergency department (ED) presentations of paediatric E coli bacteraemia and secondarily to identify those related to greater severity.

Methods

This was a sub‐study of a multicentre cross‐sectional prospective registry including all with E coli bacteraemia episodes between 2011 and 2016. We used multiple correspondence and cluster analysis to identify different patterns.

Results

We included 291 patients and 43 met criteria for severe disease (14.3%, 95% confidence interval 11.2‐19.3). We identified four types of paediatric E coli bacteraemia presentations. Two (178 patients, 61.2%) were related to well‐appearing previously healthy infants with associated urinary tract infection (UTI). Well‐appearing children older than 12 months old with underlying disease (n = 60, 20.6%) and non‐well‐appearing children of different ages (n = 53, 18.2%) corresponded to the other two types; these had associated UTI infrequently and higher severity rate (15% and 50.9%, respectively, higher when compared with the two previous types, P < .01), including the two patients who died.

Conclusion

There were four different types of ED paediatric E coli bacteraemia presentations with different severity. Febrile young children with associated UTI showed the best outcome.
Perceptions of Not Equally Tolerable Discriminations: Is Personal Experience so Decisive?
Authors: Cea D'Ancona Mª Ángeles
Published: August 2020

Discrimination is nowadays more frequently perceived, whilst not always readily identifiable. This study extends previous research on perceived discrimination by examining, simultaneously, the effects of both direct and indirect personal experiences of discrimination, together with sociodemographic variables (conservatism and social status), on the perception of group‐based discriminations; in addition to the mediating role of discriminatory outgroup attitudes. All of this comparing discriminations that are not understood as equally tolerable (race–nationality vs. age–disability discriminations), in two different nationwide surveys (2013 and 2016), and applying multigroup structural equation modelling. The final models showed different patterns, depending on the type of perceived discrimination. Whilst the effects of experiences were similar in both models, those as a result of sociodemographic variables differed, coupled with the interrelation between outgroup attitudes and perceived group‐based discrimination. Discriminatory attitudes showed to be what most affected both types of perceived discrimination, although in opposite directions.
Prescriber compliance to direct oral anticoagulant labels and impact on outcomes in Thailand
Authors: Wattanaruengchai Phannita , Nathisuwan Surakit , Rattanavipanon Wipharak , Chulavatnatol Suvatna , Kongwatcharapong Junporn , Mitsuntisuk Phatcharin , Chaiyasothi Thanaputt , Kritsanapipat Duangkamon , Phrommintikul Arintaya , Chaiyakunapruk Nathorn , Likittanasombat Khanchit , Lip Gregory Y.H.
Published: August 2020

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the prescriber compliance to the approved labels of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and impact of appropriateness of dosing on clinical outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted using simple‐stratified random sampling of adult patients receiving ≥6 months of DOACs for various indications during 2013–2017 in 10 tertiary care hospitals. Patients were classified into 3 dosing groups including approved dose, underdosing and overdosing based on the Thai Food and Drug Administration‐approved labels. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the impact of different dosings on thromboembolic and bleeding events.

Results

From 1200 patients included in the data analysis, prescribing of DOACs was consistent with the approved indications in 1130 cases (94.2%) while 70 patients (5.8%) received DOACs despite having contraindications or with off‐label usage. Among 1026 cases of dosing evaluation cohort, 688 patients (67.1%) received approved doses. There were 227 (21.9%) and 110 (10.7%) cases of underdosing and overdosing, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that underdosing was associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism 3.023 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.291–7.080; P = .011) while overdosing was associated with an increased risk of bleeding requiring hospitalization (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.045; 95% CI, 1.501–6.178; P = .002) and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2 or more (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.196; 95% CI, 1.083–4.452; P = .029).

Conclusion

Prescribers’ compliance to approved indications were high. However, 1/3 of DOAC prescriptions were inconsistent with approved dosing. Dosing deviation was associated with an increase in adverse clinical outcomes.
Loss of cell–cell and cell–substrate contacts in single pancreatic β‐cells divert insulin release to intracellular vesicular compartments
Authors: Ljubicic Sanda , Cottet‐Dumoulin David , Bosco Domenico
Published: August 2020

Background information

Cell–cell or cell–substrate interactions are lost when cells are dissociated in culture, or during pathophysiological breakdowns, therefore impairing their structure and polarity, and affecting their function. We show that single rat β‐cells, cultured under non‐adhesive conditions, form intracytoplasmic vacuoles increasing in number and size over time. We characterized these structures and their implication in β‐cell function.

Results

Ultrastructurally, the vacuoles resemble vesicular apical compartments and are delimited by a membrane, containing microvilli and expressing markers of the plasma membrane, including glucose transporter 2 and actin. When insulin secretion is stimulated, insulin accumulates in the lumen of the vacuoles. By contrast, when the cells are incubated under low calcium levels, the hormone is undetectable in vesicular compartments. Insulin release studies from single cells revealed that vacuole‐containing cells release less insulin as compared to control cells. When added to the medium, a non‐permeant fluid phase marker becomes trapped within vacuoles. Inhibition of vesicular trafficking and exocytosis as well as dynamin‐dependent endocytosis changed the percentage of vacuole‐containing cells, suggesting that both endocytic and exocytic track contribute to their formation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that loss of cell–cell and cell–substrate contacts in isolated β‐cells affect normal vesicular trafficking and redirects insulin secretion to intracellular vesicular compartments.

Significance

Our study reveals for the first time that single β‐cells develop vacuolar compartments when cultured in suspension and redirect their insulin secretion to these vacuoles. This may underlie a compensatory process for cultured cells who lost their interactions with adhesive substrates or neighbouring cells.
Debate: Recognising and responding to the mental health needs of young people in the era of COVID‐19
Authors: Danese Andrea , Smith Patrick
Published: August 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic is a ‘perfect storm’ for the mental health of young people, because of exposure to known risk factors for psychopathology and lack of support from the infrastructures that are normally in place to ensure safety and provide support. However, it is yet unclear if this ‘perfect storm’ will flood the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services. The early, normative emotional responses observed may not lead to enduring psychopathology in most young people. Nevertheless, a minority of young people may show complex presentations, particularly in relation to bereavement. As epidemiology and clinical practice will reveal the actual needs of young people, the hope is that we will find the focus and determination to build new solutions to promote young people’s mental health.
Editorial: How in the world are we handling COVID‐19?
Authors: Dubicka Bernadka , Carlson Gabrielle
Published: August 2020

These are not normal times. As an editorial team, we felt that there was an urgency to reflect on our global experiences of the COVID‐19 pandemic with our international colleagues. Instead of our planned debate series, we therefore commissioned a series of reflections on the impact of the pandemic on child and adolescent mental health throughout the world. We hope that you will find these reflections informative, thought‐provoking, and in some cases, inspirational.
Epidemiology of nonmelanoma skin cancer in Japan: Occupational type, lifestyle, and family history of cancer
Authors: Cai Honglin , Sobue Tomotaka , Kitamura Tetsuhisa , Sawada Norie , Iwasaki Motoki , Shimazu Taichi , Tsugane Shoichiro
Published: August 2020

Skin cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the fair‐skinned population. In recent years, the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has been increasing worldwide. However, there is no epidemiological study on skin cancer in the Asian population. A prospective cohort study including 140 420 participants was initiated in 1990 for cohort Ⅰ and 1993 for cohort Ⅱ at baseline survey from 11 public health center (PHC) areas. Of these participants, 284 NMSC cases were diagnosed during the follow‐up period (through 2012 in the Osaka PHC area and 2013 in the other PHC areas). The Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for NMSC incidence according to occupational type, lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption, coffee consumption, smoking status, physical activity, and body mass index), and family history of cancer. Among men, compared with indoor workers, outdoor workers were associated with 2.18 (95% CI, 1.17‐4.04) higher risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) but not of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Furthermore, men who have a family history of cancer had 1.99 (95% CI, 1.10‐3.62) higher SCC risk. In women, we did not observe any association between occupational type and the risk of SCC (1.26; 95% CI, 0.68‐2.32) or BCC (0.74; 95% CI, 0.42‐1.28). In conclusion, men who are outdoor workers or have a family history of cancer had an increased risk of SCC.
Structural insight into the effect of polymorphic variation on the functional dynamics of methionine synthase reductase: Implications in neural tube defects
Authors: Sadhukhan Susanta , Maity Subhajit , Chakraborty Sandipan , Paul Silpita , Munian Dinesh , Kumar Pattanayak Arup , Jana Biman , Das Madhusudan
Published: August 2020

Neural tube defects (NTDs), one of the most common birth defects, are strongly associated with the variations of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the MTRR gene. The gene codes a key enzyme that is involved in the rejuvenation of methionine synthase activity. An allelic variant of the protein leads to missense mutation at 49th position from isoleucine to methionine (I49M) is associated with higher disease prevalence in different populations. Here, extensive molecular dynamics simulations and interaction network analysis reveal that the 49th isoleucine is a crucial residue that allosterically regulates the dynamics between the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and NADP(H) binding domains. I49M variation alters the functional dynamics in a way that might impede the electron transport chain along the NADP(H) → flavin adenine dinucleotide → FMN pathway. The present study provides functional insights into the effect of the genetic variations of the MTRR gene on the NTDs disease pathogenesis.
State‐Dependent Memory in Infants
Authors: Seehagen Sabine , Schneider Silvia , Sommer Katharina , La Rocca Laura , Konrad Carolin
Published: August 2020

Why do infants remember some things and not others? Human infants frequently cycle through different states such as calm attentiveness, wakeful activity, and crying. Given that cognitive processes do not occur in isolation, such fluctuations in internal state might influence memory processing. In the present experiment, declarative memory in 9‐month‐old infants (N = 96) was heavily state dependent. Infants exhibited excellent retention of a deferred imitation task after a 15‐min delay if their state at encoding was identical to their state at retrieval (e.g., calm). Infants failed to exhibit retention if their state at encoding was different from their state at retrieval (e.g., calm vs. animated). Infant memory processing depends on internal cues.
Too Much Familiarity! The Developmental Path of the Fluency Heuristic in Children
Authors: Geurten Marie , Willems Sylvie , Lloyd Marianne
Published: August 2020

We tested whether changes in attribution processes could account for the developmental differences observed in how children’s use fluency to guide their memory decisions. Children ranging in age from 4 to 9 years studied a list of familiar or unfamiliar cartoon characters. In Experiment 1 (n = 84), participants completed a recognition test during which the perceptual fluency of some items was enhanced using a prime. In Experiment 2 (n = 96), participants completed a source recollection judgment on their recognition decisions. Primed items were recognized at a higher rate than unprimed items. However, while young children rely on fluency for all items, older children use fluency only for unfamiliar items. This pattern came together with a reduction in familiarity‐based—but not recollection‐based—memory responses.