bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Riding an escalator: upward range shift and patterns of genetic response to climate change in Acer caudatifolium
Authors: Chai Min‐Wei , Tseng Yi‐Ting , Lu Hsin‐Pei , Luo Min‐Xin , Chang Jui‐Tse , Liao Pei‐Chun
Published: June 2022

Aim

Rapid global warming is threatening global biodiversity, and it will likely lead to varying degrees of local adaptation, particularly amongst plant species. Besides, rising temperatures frequently result in upslope distribution shifts towards climatic optima (i.e. the escalator effect) within a limited dispersal space, such as in insular environments. Here, we integrated ecological and genetic approaches to investigate how climate change will impact the genetic compositions and spatial distributions of Taiwan's endemic maple Acer caudatifolium.

Location

Taiwan.

Methods

We estimate the distribution range shifts of A. caudatifolium under climate change through species distribution modelling (SDM). We also use 368 genotyped samples to infer dispersal and genetic hotspots and quantify the contributions of geography/environments to genetic variations. We further assess the potential risk to A. caudatifolium under different climate warming scenarios.

Results

We detected three genetic diversity hotspots near mountainous glacial refugia and two dispersal hotspots in northern Taiwan and the central‐to‐southern Central Mountain Range. Overall range reductions and an altitudinal upslope shift were observed in SDM. Using both linear and nonlinear regression approaches, we found that genetic variation was significantly associated with geographic distance and elevation‐related climatic variables. The potential risk analysis revealed that the northernmost summit‐dwelling populations were the most vulnerable. Furthermore, the major risk factor differed amongst populations: for central populations, temperature and precipitation jointly determined the potential risk, whereas precipitation was the only risk factor for northern and southern populations.

Main conclusions

This case study demonstrates how various climate factors, mountain height and the availability of corridors jointly determine the demographic fates and sustainability of island maples in the face of climate change. This study also provided estimates of the implications of global warming, which can be conducive to developing appropriate conservation strategies.
Takotsubo syndrome in COVID‐19: a case series study
Authors: Arroyo‐Rodríguez Cuitláhuac , Victoria‐Nandayapa Jose Roberto , López‐Aceves Mariana , Machain‐Leyva Cyntia Zulema , Soto‐Gaxiola Alan Humberto , Pérez‐Méndez Fausto Miguel , Navarro‐Ruiz José Eduardo , García‐Gámez Gladys Eugenia , Jacobo‐López Sergio , Victoria‐Nandayapa Victor
Published: June 2022

Background

Takotsubo syndrome is a clinical syndrome characterized by an acute and transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction related to an emotional or physical stressful event.

Case presentation

During the Covid‐19 pandemic, five cases of Takotsubo syndrome in hospitalized, mechanically ventilated patients due critical SARS‐CoV‐2 infection have been identified at our institution. Here we present the electrocardiographic, echocardiographic and angiographic characteristics of this case series. All cases were initially suspected by echocardiography performed due an abnormal electrocardiogram, troponin elevation or clinical deterioration.

Conclusion

A high index of suspicion should be sought to identify Takotsubo syndrome and other cardiac complications associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.
Using citizen science to parse climatic and land cover influences on bird occupancy in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Ramesh Vijay , Gupte Pratik Rajan , Tingley Morgan W. , Robin V. V. , DeFries Ruth
Published: June 2022

Disentangling associations between species occupancy and its environmental drivers –– climate and land cover –– along tropical mountains is imperative to predict species distributional changes in the future. Previous studies have primarily focused on identifying such associations in temperate mountain systems. Using 1.29 million robustly processed citizen science observations contributed toeBirdbetween 2013 and 2021, we examined the role of climatic and landscape variables and its association with bird species occurrence within a tropical biodiversity hotspot, the southern Western Ghats in India. Using an occupancy modeling framework, we found that temperature seasonality, precipitation seasonality, and the proportion of evergreen forests were significantly associated with species‐specific probabilities of occupancy for 78% (n=43 birds), 38% (n=21 birds), and 27% (n=15 birds) of bird species examined, respectively. Our study shows that several forest birds (n=18 species) were negatively associated with temperature seasonality, highlighting narrow thermal niches for such species. The probability of occupancy of six forest species and eight generalist species was positively associated with precipitation seasonality, indicating potential associations between rainfall and resource availability, and thereby, species occurrence. A smaller number of largely generalist species (n=9 birds) were positively associated with human‐modified land cover types –– including the proportion of agriculture/settlements and plantations. Our study shows that rigorously filtered citizen science observations can be used to identify associations between environmental drivers and species occupancy on tropical mountains. Though current distributions of tropical montane birds of the Western Ghats are strongly associated with climatic factors (mainly, temperature seasonality), naturally occurring land cover types (forests) are critical to sustaining montane avifauna across human‐modified landscapes in the long run.
Circulating folate concentrations and the risk of mild cognitive impairment: A prospective study on the older Chinese population without folic acid fortification
Authors: Fu Jingzhu , Liu Qian , Zhu Yun , Sun Changqing , Duan Huilian , Huang Ling , Zhou Dezheng , Wang Zehao , Zhao Jing , Li Zhenshu , Ma Fei , Li Wen , Liu Huan , Zhang Xumei , Chen Yongjie , Wang Guangshun , Du Yue , Huang Guowei
Published: June 2022

Background

The longitudinal association between serum folate concentrations and the risk of cognitive impairment remains unclear in populations with low folate levels. We examined the association between serum folate concentrations and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults in China, where mandatory fortification of foods with folic acid has not been implemented. We further explored if homocysteine (Hcy) and leukocyte telomere length (LTL) mediate the association between serum folate and MCI.

Methods

We performed a longitudinal analysis of 3974 participants aged ≥60 years from the Tianjin Elderly Nutrition and Cognition (TENC) cohort study. The associations between serum folate level and the risk of cognitive impairment overall and stratified by apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 genotypes were evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. The mediating effects of Hcy and LTL on the folate–MCI association were explored via a path analysis approach.

Results

Within a 3‐year follow‐up, we documented 560 incident MCI cases. After multivariable adjustment, higher serum folate concentrations were associated with lower incidence of MCI, with hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) across quartiles of folate (from lowest to highest concentrations) of 1.00 (reference), 0.66 (0.52, 0.83), 0.57 (0.45, 0.73), 0.66 (0.52, 0.84), respectively (p for trend <0.001). In mediation analyses, the status of serum folate deficiency and MCI were correlated via two intermediary pathways, Hcy and Hcy‐telomere (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Lower folate concentrations, independently of APOE genotype, were associated with increased risk of MCI among elderly Chinese people, a population with relatively low folate intake. Our data were compatible with the mediation hypothesis that the association between folate status and MCI was mediated by Hcy and LTL.
The wealth effects of takeover bids regulation in the European Union
Authors: Loureiro Gilberto , Silva Sónia
Published: June 2022

We investigate the wealth effects of the Takeover Bids Directive, enacted by the European Union (EU), on mergers and acquisitions. The directive aims at protecting target minority shareholders by restricting antitakeovers provisions and preventing managerial entrenchment. We test the regulation impact using a treatment sample of EU public acquisitions and a control sample from outside the EU. Our results suggest diverse effects of the regulation across treatment countries: acquirers from countries with better shareholder protection engage in more value‐enhancing acquisitions postregulation that could otherwise be too costly. The regulation also increases the likelihood of firms becoming targets and raises market value.
Lipids reverse supramolecular chirality and reduce toxicity of amyloid fibrils
Authors: Rizevsky Stanislav , Zhaliazka Kiryl , Matveyenka Mikhail , Quinn Kimberly , Kurouski Dmitry
Published: June 2022

Abrupt aggregation of misfolded proteins is a hallmark of many medical pathologies including diabetes type 2, Alzheimer and Parkinson diseases. This results in the formation of amyloid fibrils, protein aggregates with distinct supramolecular chirality. A growing body of evidence suggests that lipids can alter rates of protein aggregation. In this study, we investigated whether lipids could alter the supramolecular chirality of amyloid fibrils. We found that if present at the stage of protein aggregation, phospho‐ and sphingolipids uniquely reversed supramolecular chirality of insulin and lysozyme fibrils. Furthermore, amyloid fibrils with opposite supramolecular chirality exerted distinctly different cell toxicity. Specifically, insulin and lysozyme fibrils with reversed supramolecular chirality were less toxic to cells than the aggregates with normal supramolecular chirality. These findings point on the important role of lipids and supramolecular chirality of amyloid fibrils in the onset and progression of amyloid diseases.
Nitrogen fixation rates in forested mountain streams: Are sediment microbes more important than previously thought?
Authors: Bakker Erica A. H. , Vizza Carmella , Arango Clay P. , Roley Sarah S.
Published: June 2022

Biological nitrogen (N) fixation, the microbial conversion of N2 gas to ammonia, makes N available to food webs. Low‐N streams often have a high relative abundance of N‐fixing taxa, suggesting that N fixation is an important N source in these systems. Despite this potential, stream N fixation has not been well‐characterised, particularly compared to lakes and marine environments. One unknown is the relative contributions of various N‐fixing organisms, particularly heterotrophic microbes.

In low‐N streams in the Cascade Mountains (Washington, USA), three groups of N‐fixers predominate: cyanobacteria (Nostoc paramelioides) colonies that house a midge symbiont (Cricotopus spp.), cyanobacteria without a midge symbiont, and heterotrophic sediment microbes. In seven streams, we measured N fixation rates in each group with the acetylene reduction assay and a 15N2 calibration.

Cyanobacteria N fixation rates were relatively low (7.9 ± 8.9 μg N m−2 hr−1, mean ± SD) compared to other mountain streams. Although rates were comparable among types of N‐fixers, our sediment conversion ratio (moles of ethylene produced:moles of N fixed) was 0.16:1, much lower than our cyanobacteria conversion ratio of 1.72:1 and the commonly used theoretical ratio of 3:1. Sediment N fixation rates (5.7 ± 4.0 μg N m−2 hr−1) were higher than previously reported rates measured only with acetylene reduction.

The midge symbiosis did not greatly impact N fixation rates; however, owing to their prevalence, colonies with the midge probably contributed more total N to streams than colonies without the midge. Additionally, N fixation by sediment heterotrophs was comparable to that of cyanobacteria colonies on an areal basis.

Our study demonstrated that the contribution of sediment heterotrophs previously may have been underestimated in streams, especially considering that sediment heterotrophs are probably present for a longer portion of the growing season than cyanobacteria in temperate and boreal ecosystems.
Sea Country: Plurality and knowledge of saltwater territories in Indigenous Australian contexts
Authors: Kearney Amanda , O'Leary Michael , Platten Spencer
Published: June 2022

There are distinct bodies of cultural knowledge attached to the sea. In this paper we orient the focus towards the nature and extent of cultural framings of sea territories, as inclusive of submerged landscapes, for Indigenous maritime peoples in northern Australia. This approach is distinguished by a pluralist methodology and reorients the primal focus of a human geography and broader geographical scholarship concerning submerged landscapes to begin with an Indigenous perspective. Engaging ethnographic accounts of Indigenous Australian knowledges of Sea Country, as inclusive of ancient pre‐inundation landscapes that lie out‐of‐sight on Australia's continental shelves, highlights the potential for a more expansive vision of human connections to the past and present continental landmass of Australia. Indigenous oral traditions, Dreaming Ancestor narratives and songlines provide extensive detail to assist in understanding these parts of the greater Australian landmass and in this paper are brought into relation with recent sea floor mapping efforts which operate to draw back the water and reveal commensurable geographies upon which to envision possibilities for socialised realms of human emplacement. Both bodies of knowledge generate information of submerged landscapes that call for an expansion of thinking on where the land ends and the sea begins and how submerged terrestrial landscapes are understood across cultures as part of human geography. The approach outlined here calls for a habit of bringing principled systems of understanding to stand together as part of an explanatory schema for a world populated by and yet differentially known by people.
Histomorphometric and oxidative evaluation of the offspring's testis from type 2 diabetic female rats treated with metformin and pentoxifylline
Authors: de Oliveira Jessica Santana , Silva Alluanan Adelson do Nascimento , Dias Fernanda Carolina Ribeiro , de Oliveira Elizabeth Lopes , de Oliveira Filho Emanuel Felipe , Soares Pierre Castro , Ferreira Catarina Michelle de Oliveira , da Silva Junior Valdemiro Amaro
Published: June 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) during pregnancy is characterized by high levels of reactive oxygen species and pro‐inflammatory factors in the placenta. Once these reactive species reach the foetus, they trigger physiological adaptations that allow the foetus to survive, but programme the organism to develop metabolic disorders in adulthood. The male reproductive system is highly susceptible to foetal programming. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intrauterine exposure to T2D on testicular histomorphometry and redox homeostasis of adult rats and evaluate the effects of maternal treatment with metformin and pentoxifylline. Female rats were induced to T2D, then treated with metformin and pentoxifylline, or co‐treated with both drugs. The females were mated, the male offspring were sacrificed on postnatal day 90, and the testicles were collected for analysis. Metformin protected the tubular compartment, with the maintenance of the Sertoli cell population and daily sperm production. Pentoxifylline attenuated the effects of diabetes on Leydig cells, in addition to stimulating testosterone production and lowering lipid peroxidation. Intrauterine exposure to T2D results in important testicular alterations that compromise gonadal function, and the co‐treatment with metformin and pentoxifylline may represent a promising therapy that attenuates these effects by combining the positive influences in both the tubular and interstitial compartments of the testicular parenchyma.
Recovery from chronic periodontal disease is associated with lower risk for incident diabetes
Authors: Park Jung‐Hyun , Kim Sun‐Hyun , Kim Sun‐Jong , Kim Jin‐Woo
Published: June 2022

Aim

The presence of periodontal disease (PD) at a single time point has been suggested as a predictor of diabetes risk, but whether changes in PD status are associated with altered risk of diabetes is yet to be reported on a population scale. This study investigated whether recovery from or development of PD in a population is associated with an altered risk of diabetes occurrence.

Materials and Methods

Data of subjects who received health screening from 2002 to 2007 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service–National Health Screening cohort database of Korea. Patients with a history of diabetes were excluded. Changes in PD status were determined from the first two health screenings. Study subjects were divided into four groups according to the changes in PD status: PD‐free, PD‐recovered, PD‐developed, and PD‐chronic. The outcome was the occurrence of diabetes.

Results

Overall, 111,611 subjects were included for analysis. During a median follow‐up of 9.10 years, diabetes developed in 6102 subjects. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for incident diabetes across various PD change groups (in reference to the PD‐free group) were as follows: PD‐chronic group = 1.096 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.026–1.170, p = .006); PD‐developed group = 1.073 (95% CI 0.993–1.159, p = .075); and PD‐recovered group = 1.019 (95% CI 0.945–1.100, p = .622). The subjects who recovered from PD had a lower diabetes risk than those who had consistent PD (adjusted HR 0.930, 95% CI 0.865–1.000, p = .050), whereas those who developed PD had a higher risk of diabetes than those who remained PD‐free.

Conclusion

The longitudinal change in PD status is associated with incident diabetes risk. Future intervention studies are necessary to determine whether PD treatment can prevent incident diabetes.
Cold plasma in food processing and preservation: A review
Authors: Birania Sapna , Attkan Arun Kumar , Kumar Sunil , Kumar Nitin , Singh Vijay Kumar
Published: June 2022

The need for safe and healthy foods has increased since the turn of the century. Novel non‐thermal food processing technologies are being adopted by the food sector. Cold plasma (CP) is a proposed, non‐thermal food processing method that inactivates contaminating bacteria on foods and packing materials by using charged, highly reactive gaseous molecules and species. It was originally established to improve the printing and adhesive capabilities of polymers, as well as several electronic applications. The uses of cold plasma have expanded up to food industries in recent decades as a powerful tool for non‐thermal food processing, with a variety of applications. The impact of CP on food quality is crucial to its acceptability as an alternative food processing technology. As the cold plasma possesses non‐thermal characteristics, these can be a great combination of high reactivity and moderate temperatures, which can be used for heat‐sensitive products. CP treatments have had no or little effects on the chemical, physical, sensory, and nutritional properties of different items because of the non‐thermal nature. This review paper discusses the cold plasma, generation method, effect on food and limitations, and future prospects.

Practical applications

Non‐thermal food processing is a relatively new application that is gaining attraction. As a non‐thermal technology, cold plasma is environmentally safe and produces minimal modifications in treated products. Cold plasma has a wide range of uses in the food and biomedical industries. The application of cold plasma for surface sterilization of both food products and food packaging materials is progressing due to significant advances in plasma science and its advantages over the conventional sterilization technologies. This paper highlights recent cold plasma breakthroughs on several plant and animal‐based food matrices with the goal of emphasizing prospective applications, current research, and industry trends. This analysis will help students, researchers, consumers, and food processors to understand the safety of cold plasma and its wide‐scale commercial application in food by assessing the safety of gases utilized in the plasma treatment.
Comprehensive cardiopulmonary profile of individuals with Down syndrome
Authors: Beck V. D. Y. , Wee S. O. , Lefferts E. C. , Hibner B. A. , Burton L. C. , Baynard T. , Fernhall B. , Hilgenkamp T. I. M.
Published: June 2022

Background

Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) have low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness and previous studies have shown that these low levels of fitness have a physiological cause. During exercise, the cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular systems are simultaneously active. While individual parameters of these systems have been investigated in DS before, the interaction between these parameters and systems have not been discussed in detail. Doing so may provide important insight regarding the aetiology of low cardiorespiratory fitness and which parameters of the cardiovascular, pulmonary and muscular systems are altered in individuals with DS compared with their peers without DS.

Methods

Cardiopulmonary exercise tests were performed in healthy adults with and without DS. Parameters related to the cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular systems were collected until VO2peak. In total, 51 participants were included in analysis, of which 21 had DS.

Results

Individuals with DS showed lower peak values for all collected outcomes (P ≤ 0.001) compared with those without DS, except for ventilatory threshold as a percentage of maximal oxygen uptake and VE/VCO2 slope, which were similar.

Conclusions

Our results show that individuals with DS present impairments across the cardiovascular, ventilatory and muscular aspects of the cardiopulmonary system.
Normalizing the Central Bank's Balance Sheet: Implications for Inflation and Debt Dynamics
Authors: DOMÍNGUEZ BEGOÑA , GOMIS‐PORQUERAS PEDRO
Published: June 2022

We explore the effects of reducing the overall size of the central bank's balance sheet and lowering its maturity structure. To do so, we consider an environment where fiscal policy is traditionally passive and the central bank follows the Taylor principle. In addition, the monetary authority has also explicit size and compositional rules regarding its balance sheet. Agents in this economy face limited commitment in some markets and government bonds can be used as collateral. When short‐ and long‐term public debt exhibit premia, changes in the central bank's balance sheet have implications for long‐run inflation and real allocations. To ensure a unique locally stable steady state, the central bank should target a low enough maturity composition of its balance sheet. In our numerical exercise, calibrated to the United States, we find that long‐term debt holdings by the central bank should be less than 0.5 times of their short‐term positions. Moreover, the process of balance sheet normalization should aggressively respond to the total debt issued in the economy relative to its target. These findings depend on the degree of liquidity of long‐term bonds. The more liquid long‐term bonds are, the lower is the value of the composition threshold and the parameter space consistent with unique and stable equilibria is smaller. In addition, we consider a modified Taylor rule that takes into account the premium. Such a rule increases the prevalence of multiplicity of steady states and delivers lower welfare. Thus, we argue that the traditional Taylor rule is appropriate for managing interest rates in the presence of premia.
The occurrence and associated risk factors of brain metastases in well differentiated grade 1 and 2 bronchial neuroendocrine tumours: A single centre retrospective analysis of 280 patients
Authors: Spurgeon Laura , Jones James , Lewis Alexandra , Rammohan Kandadai , Shaheen Fadhel , Weaver Jamie , Papaxoinis George , Mansoor Wasat
Published: June 2022

Typical and atypical bronchial carcinoid account for around 2% of all neuroendocrine neoplasms of pulmonary origin. Fewer than 5% of patients with these cancers are thought to develop brain metastases, and hence routine intracranial imaging is not currently included in staging investigations. In this study, retrospective case note analysis was performed on 280 patients diagnosed with either typical carcinoid (TC) or atypical carcinoid (AC) at a large, single‐site cancer centre. None of the 219 patients with TC developed brain metastases during the course of their disease, whereas seven of the 61 AC (11.5%) were found to have intracranial spread, four of which were present at the point of diagnosis. A Cox proportional hazard model showed that a Ki‐67 expression ≥18%, patient age ≥65 years and disease stage at diagnosis were all independently and significantly associated with the development of brain metastases in AC. This study has found new evidence that the incidence of brain metastases in AC is significantly higher than previously thought. Of all the variables reviewed, Ki‐67 expression was most strongly associated with the development of intracranial disease in AC and could be readily translated into clinical practice. Predictive factors such as age, disease stage and Ki‐67 expression could be used to identify patients at particularly increased risk of brain metastases, who would benefit from early intracranial imaging. This could allow for earlier detection and treatment of metastases, with the potential to improve clinical outcomes and patient quality of life.
ERK‐dependent induction of the immediate‐early gene Egr1 and the late gene Gpr50 contribute to two distinct phases of PACAP Gs‐GPCR signaling for neuritogenesis
Authors: Xu Wenqin , Dahlke Sam P. , Sung Michelle , Samal Babru , Emery Andrew C. , Elkahloun Abdel , Eiden Lee E.
Published: June 2022

Gs‐coupled GPCR‐stimulated neuritogenesis in PC12 and NS‐1 ‐ cells depends on activation of the MAP kinase ERK. Here, we examine changes in ERK activation (phosphorylation), and the time course of ERK‐dependent gene induction, to seek transcriptional determinants for this process. Quenching of ERK activation by inhibition of MEK with U0126 at any time point for at least 24 h following addition of PACAP resulted in arrest of neurite formation. Changes in the transcriptome profile throughout this time period revealed at least two phases of gene induction: an early phase dominated by induction of immediate‐early genes, and a later phase of gene induction after 4–6 h of exposure to PACAP with persistent elevation of phospho‐ERK levels. Genes induced by PACAP in both phases consisted in those whose induction was dependent on ERK (i.e., blocked by U0126), and some whose induction was blocked by the protein kinase A inhibitor H89. ERK‐dependent “late gene” transcripts included Gpr50, implicated earlier in facilitation of NGF‐induced neurite formation in NS‐1 cells. Gpr50 induction by PACAP, but not NGF, was dependent on the guanine nucleotide exchange factor RapGEF2, which has been shown to be required for PACAP‐induced neuritogenesis in NS‐1 cells. Expression of a Gpr50‐directed shRNA lowered basal levels of Gpr50 mRNA and attenuated Gpr50 mRNA and GPR50 protein induction by PACAP, with a corresponding attenuation of PACAP‐induced neuritogenesis. Gs‐GPCR‐stimulated neuritogenesis first requires immediate‐early gene induction, including that of Egr1 (Zif268/NGF1A/Krox24) as previously reported. This early phase of gene induction, however, is insufficient to maintain the neuritogenic process without ERK‐dependent induction of additional late genes, including Gpr50, upon continuous exposure to neurotrophic neuropeptide. Early (Egr1) and late (Gpr50) gene induction by NGF, like that for PACAP, was inhibited by U0126, but was independent of RapGEF2, confirming distinct modes of ERK activation by Gs‐coupled GPCRs and neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinases, converging on a final common ERK‐dependent signaling pathway for neuritogenesis.
Land and small farmer resistance in authoritarian Egypt
Authors: Bush Ray
Published: June 2022

This article examines small farmer resistance in Egypt. It situates contemporary struggles in the context of the uneven success of small farmers' historical resistance to land dispossession and neoliberal reform. Struggles over land are the prime driver of rural conflict and small farmers contest state strategies that reward local elites, land owners, and supporters of the military regime. There may not be a coherent social movement able to resist contemporary patterns of capital accumulation, but there are elements of resistance that edge forward an agenda for a “political conversation” about much‐needed deep social reforms. The internationally‐supported Sisi presidency has used violence to consolidate military power, making open revolt difficult. Nevertheless, small farmers link struggles over access to land with poor state provisioning of water and infrastructure as a means of building resistance.
Participation in daily activities after acute illness hospitalization among high‐functioning older adults: a qualitative study
Authors: Arieli Maya , Kizony Rachel , Gil Efrat , Agmon Maayan
Published: June 2022

Aims and objectives

To describe high‐functioning older adults' experiences of participation in daily activities and perceived barriers and facilitators to participation one‐ and 3‐months post‐acute hospitalization.

Background

Older adults discharged after acute illness hospitalization are at risk for functional decline and adverse health outcomes. Yet, little is known about the subjective experience of resuming participation in meaningful activities beyond the immediate post‐discharge period among high‐functioning older adults, a mostly overlooked sub‐sample.

Design

Qualitative descriptive longitudinal study adhering to the COREQ guidelines.

Methods

Forty two participants ages ≥65 years (mean age 75, SD ± 7.9) were recruited from internal medicine wards. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted at participants' homes one‐month post‐discharge, followed by a telephone interview 3‐months after. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Participants perceived the hospitalization as a disruption of healthy and meaningful routines. This first key theme had unique expressions over time and included two sub‐themes. At one month: (1) reduced life spaces and sedentary routines. At 3 months: (2) a matter of quality not quantity – giving up even one meaningful activity can make a difference. The second key theme was described as a combination of physical and psychological barriers to participation over time. These themes demonstrated the profound impact of the hospitalization on behavior (participation) and feelings (e.g., symptoms). The third key theme was described as a dyad of intrinsic and extrinsic facilitators to participation.

Conclusions

Acute illness hospitalization may lead to subtle decreases in participation in meaningful health‐promoting activities, even among high‐functioning older adults. These changes may impact overall well‐being and possibly mark the beginning of functional decline.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study highlights the need for a more comprehensive assessment of participation, relevant for high‐functioning older adults, to enable person‐centered care. Intervention programs should address the modifiable barriers and facilitators identified in this study.
Temporal Dynamics in Acquisition Behavior: The Effects of Activity Load on Strategic Momentum
Authors: Keil Thomas , Deutsch Yuval , Laamanen Tomi , Maula Markku
Published: June 2022

Momentum theory suggests that acquisition experience leads to acquisition momentum in the form of a higher likelihood of subsequent acquisitions of the same type. However, this argument has been challenged theoretically and empirically. We reconcile conflicting predictions and findings of prior research and extend momentum theory by incorporating activity load as a novel causal mechanism to both replicate the base finding and explain deviations from it. We find that a high activity load due to increased acquisition activity acts as a counterforce to momentum, decreasing the likelihood of subsequent acquisitions of the same type. Moreover, we also find that the interplay of routines, cognitive frames, and activity load causes companies to alternate between different types of acquisitions – from small to large and from large to small – as management engages in attention modulation to preserve momentum. Taken together, our arguments and findings contribute to an improved understanding of temporal patterns of acquisition behaviour.
Gendered share of housework and the COVID‐19 pandemic: Examining self‐ratings and speculation of others in Germany, India, Nigeria, and South Africa
Authors: Obioma Ihuoma Faith , Jaga Ameeta , Raina Mahima , Asekun Wakil Ajibola , Hernandez Bark Alina S.
Published: June 2022

This cross‐sectional study examined gender differences between male‐ and female‐typed housework during the early COVID‐19 lockdowns in 2020. Participants in Germany, India, Nigeria, and South Africa (N = 823) rated their housework share before and during the lockdown, then speculated about the division of housework performed by men and women in general, before and post‐lockdown. Women spent more time on female‐typed tasks and men (in Nigeria and South Africa) on male‐typed tasks before and during the lockdown. Irrespective of participants’ gender, they speculated that men's and women's housework was more pronounced post‐lockdown than before, but we only found gender differences in South Africa and India. Gender role ideology (GRI) moderated the gender‒housework relationship in Germany, but gender did not moderate the paid work hours and housework relationship in any country. Our findings suggest that gendered housework persisted in these countries and raises concerns that this pattern is likely to continue post‐lockdown.
Lobbying policy makers: Share versus lottery contests
Authors: Cardona Daniel , Freitas Jenny De , Rubí‐Barceló Antoni
Published: June 2022

In lobbying competition to influence a policy ranging over a continuum, lottery and share contests can be regarded as two alternative conflict resolution protocols. In the lottery contest, the policy is selected probabilistically whereas in the share contest the policy choice is deterministic. Although these two contest settings are equivalent for risk‐neutral lobbyists, this equivalence fails to hold when they are risk‐averse. We demonstrate that when lobbyists have concave preferences over policies and select their policy proposals, they strategically moderate their claims only under the (probabilistic) lottery setting. This action defuses the conflict and reduces the exerted effort. Consequently, risk‐averse contestants might unanimously prefer the lottery to the share contest.
THE LA LUNA/RÍO NEGRO(.) PETROLEUM SYSTEM AT THE URDANETA WEST FIELD, LAKE MARACAIBO BASIN, NW VENEZUELA: 1D BASIN MODELLING AND SECONDARY OIL MIGRATION
Authors: Escobar M. , Díaz J.G. , Márquez G. , Boente C. , Tocco R.
Published: June 2022

This paper investigates the timing of hydrocarbon generation in the northern part of the Urdaneta West field in the NW of the Lake Maracaibo Basin, NW Venezuela, based on 1D basin modelling at three wells referred to as wells X, Y and Z. Kitchen areas were identified and secondary migration directions were inferred based on analyses of the thermal and burial history of the Upper Cretaceous La Luna Formation source rock and the geochemistry of 20 oil samples from the Río Negro Formation reservoir. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in the oil samples were analysed by gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) while the vanadium‐nickel and sulphur contents were determined by energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, respectively. Bulk and molecular characterizations indicated that the oils originated from a marine carbonate source rock containing oil‐prone Type II kerogen, consistent with generation by the La Luna Formation.

Burial and thermal history modelling in the study area indicated that the La Luna source rock at wells X, Y and Z reached the oil window during the late Eocene, mid‐Eocene and early Paleocene respectively. 1D model results from the three wells showed that hydrocarbon generation began in the early Eocene. The transformation ratio of the La Luna Formation source rock in the modelled wells reached values of 35%, 98% and 100% by the end of the Eocene.

In the Urdaneta West field, two different oil charges appear to have mixed in the Río Negro reservoir. Both oil charges were generated by the La Luna Formation source rock but at different times. A first charge of less mature oil occurred in the middle‐late Eocene (Phase 1 generation), and a second, more mature oil charge took place in the Miocene – Quaternary (Phase 2 generation). The kitchen area for the first oil charge is inferred to have been located to the north and NE of Urdaneta West; that for the second oil charge to the south of the field. This migration model is supported by observed variations in the geochemical compositions of the oil samples analysed from different wells in the Urdaneta West field.
Multimodal phenotypic labelling using drug‐induced sleep endoscopy, awake nasendoscopy and computational fluid dynamics for the prediction of mandibular advancement device treatment outcome: a prospective study
Authors: Van den Bossche Karlien , Op de Beeck Sara , Dieltjens Marijke , Verbruggen Annelies E. , Vroegop Anneclaire V. , Verbraecken Johan A. , Van de Heyning Paul H. , Braem Marc J. , Vanderveken Olivier M.
Published: June 2022

Mandibular advancement device (MAD) treatment outcome for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is variable and patient dependent. A global, clinically applicable predictive model is lacking. Our aim was to combine characteristics obtained during drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE), awake nasendoscopy, and computed tomography scan‐based computational fluid dynamic (CFD) measurements in one multifactorial model, to explain MAD treatment outcome. A total of 100 patients with OSA were prospectively recruited and treated with a MAD at fixed 75% protrusion. In all, 72 underwent CFD analysis, DISE, and awake nasendoscopy at baseline in a blinded fashion and completed a 3‐month follow‐up polysomnography with a MAD. Treatment response was defined as a reduction in the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of ≥50% and deterioration as an increase of ≥10% during MAD treatment. To cope with missing data, multiple imputation with predictive mean matching was used. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for body mass index and baseline AHI, was used to combine all potential predictor variables. The strongest impact concerning odds ratios (ORs) was present for complete concentric palatal collapse (CCCp) during DISE on deterioration (OR 28.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18–704.35; p = 0.0391), followed by a C‐shape versus an oval shape of the soft palate during wakefulness (OR 8.54, 95% CI 1.09–67.23; p = 0.0416) and tongue base collapse during DISE on response (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.02–10.64; p = 0.0464). Both logistic regression models exhibited excellent and fair predictive accuracy. Our findings suggest DISE to be the most robust examination associated with MAD treatment outcome, with tongue base collapse as a predictor for successful MAD treatment and CCCp as an adverse DISE phenotype.
240‐week entecavir maleate treatment in Chinese chronic hepatitis B predominantly genotype B or C
Authors: Xu Jing‐Hang , Fan Ya‐Nan , Yu Yan‐Yan , Si Chong‐Wen , Zeng Zheng , Xu Zhong‐Nan , Li Jun , Mao Qing , Zhang Da‐Zhi , Tang Hong , Sheng Ji‐Fang , Chen Xin‐Yue , Ning Qin , Shi Guang‐Feng , Xie Qing , Zhang Xi‐Quan , Dai Jun
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of entecavir(ETV) versus ETV maleate in Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB). This was a randomized, double‐blind, double‐dummy, controlled, multicentre study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 48 weeks of treatment with 0.5 mg/day ETV (group A) or 0.5 mg/day ETV maleate (group B), then, all patients received treatment with 0.5 mg/day ETV maleate from week 49 onwards. Patients were regularly followed up. Serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers were detected. Adverse events (AE) were recorded. The primary endpoint was the decline in HBV DNA in each group at the end of treatment. Secondary endpoints included the rate of HBV DNA below the lower limit of detection (LLOD) (20 I U/ml) at the end of treatment, the rate of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) loss, the rate of HBeAg seroconversion and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization. One hundred and thirty‐seven (71 in group A) patients with HBeAg‐positive CHB and 46 (21 in group A) patients with HBeAg‐negative CHB completed the 240‐week treatment and follow‐up. Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. For the HBeAg‐positive CHB patients, the mean HBV DNA level had similarly decreased from baseline in both groups (A: by 6.67 log10 IU/ml vs. B: by 6.74 log10 IU/ml; p > .05) at Week 240. Patients who achieved undetectable levels of serum HBV DNA (<20 IU/ml) at Week 240 were similar between groups (A:91.55% vs. B:87.88%; p > .05). Both groups achieved similar HBeAg seroconversion rates at week 240 (A:26.98% vs. B:20.97%; p > .05). Both groups achieved similar normalization of ALT (A:87.32% vs. B:83.61%; p > .05) at Week 240 (p > .05). For the HBeAg‐negative CHB patients, the mean HBV DNA level had similarly decreased from baseline in both groups (A: by 6.05 log10 IU/ml vs. B: by 6.10 log10 IU/ml; p > .05) at Week 240. Patients who achieved undetectable levels of serum HBV DNA at Week 240 were similar between groups (A:100% vs. B:100%). Both groups achieved similar normalization rates (A:90.91% vs. B: 95.45%; p > .05) of ALT at Week 240 (p > .05). In conclusion, long‐term ETV maleate treatment was safe and efficient in Chinese CHB predominantly of genotype B or C.
Pharmacokinetics of maropitant citrate in Rhode Island Red chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) following subcutaneous administration
Authors: Mones Alissa B. , Petritz Olivia A. , Knych Heather K. , Sadar Miranda J. , Thomson Andrea E. , Guzman David Sanchez‐Migallon
Published: June 2022

Maropitant citrate is a synthetic neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonist and substance P inhibitor used for control of emesis in dogs in cats. Maropitant citrate is used empirically in birds, despite a lack of pharmacokinetic data in avian species. The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of maropitant citrate 1 and 2 mg/kg subcutaneously (SC) in eight Rhode Island Red hens (Gallus gallus domesticus). A crossover study design was used with 1‐week washout between trials. Blood samples were collected over 36 h after drug administration. Plasma concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined via non‐compartmental analysis. The mean maximum plasma concentration, time to maximum concentration, and elimination half‐life following 1 and 2 mg/kg SC were 915.6 ± 312.8 ng/ml and 1195.2 ± 320.2 ng/ml, 0.49 ± 0.21 h and 1.6 ± 2.6 h, and 8.47 ± 2.24 h and 8.58 ± 2.6 h, respectively. Pharmacokinetic data suggests doses of 1 or 2 mg/kg SC may be administered every 12–24 h to maintain above target plasma concentration similar to dogs (90 ng/ml). These data provide a basis for further investigation of maropitant citrate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in birds.
Concurrent intraventricular intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumor and ependymoma in a long‐term Ewing sarcoma survivor
Authors: Levy Adam S. , Sakellakis Ana , Luther Evan , Morell Alexis A. , Rosenberg Andrew , Saad Ali G. , Ivan Michael , Komotar Ricardo J.
Published: June 2022

Intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumor, FET::CREB fusion positive is a rare, recently described central nervous system neoplasm. It is characterized by EWSR1::CREB family transcription factor fusion, typically arises in children and adolescents, and is locally aggressive even after gross total resection. Currently, there are little data available to guide management and gauge long‐term prognosis. Furthermore, there have been no reports of these lesions occurring simultaneously with other intracranial neoplasms or in patients with a history of malignancy. Here we describe the first case of a very unusual patient with intracranial myxoid mesenchymal tumor of the right lateral ventricle with a concurrent fourth ventricular ependymoma who had a remote history of Ewing sarcoma of the right fibula.
Spatial Bridge Locking Fixator versus Traditional Locking Plates in Treating AO/OTA 32‐A3.2 Fracture: Finite Element Analysis and Biomechanical Evaluation
Authors: Hu Jianwei , Peng Ye , Li Jiantao , Li Ming , Xiong Ying , Xiao Jiayu , Zhang Licheng , Tang Peifu
Published: June 2022

Objective

To compare the biomechanical behaviors of the spatial bridge locking fixator (SBLF), single locking plate (SP), and double locking plate (DP) for AO/OTA 32‐A3.2 fractures using finite element analysis and biomechanical tests.

Methods

Axial loading of 700 N was conducted on the AO/OTA 32‐A3.2 model via finite element analysis. The von Mises stress and the interfragmentary movement (IFM) were comparatively analyzed in the three configurations above. On the mechanical tester, axial and torsional loading of 30 synthetic femurs (five specimens of each configuration for each test at random) was performed, and the interfragmentary movement, torsion angle, stiffness, and ultimate load were recorded and analyzed.

Results

The finite element analysis (FEA) results showed that the von Mises stress of the spatial bridge locking fixator (SBLF) was lower than that of the single locking plate (SP) and higher than that of the double locking plate (DP). At 700 N, the axial IFMs were 0.15–0.38 mm (SBLF), 0.03–0.84 mm (SP), and 0.02–0.07 mm (DP). The biomechanical experiment indicated that the axial interfragmentary movements (IFMs) were 0.44 ± 0.23 mm (SBLF), 1.02 ± 0.40 mm (SP), and 0.07 ± 0.07 mm (DP) (p < 0.001). The axial IFM of the SBLF group had the highest probability (79.26%) of falling within the ideal range (0.2–0.8 mm), and the SP and DP groups had probabilities of 27.10% and 3.14%, respectively. The axial stiffness in the SBLF group (1586 ± 130 N/mm) was significantly lower than that in the DP group (10,264 ± 2671 N/mm) (p < 0.001) but greater than that in the SP group (725 ± 178 N/mm) (p = 0.396). The range of axial loads to ultimate failure was 3385–4527 N (SBLF), 3377–4664 N (SP), and 3780–4804 N (DP). The shear motion of the fracture end was 0.35 ± 0.14 mm (SBLF), 0.16 ± 0.10 mm (SP), and 0.08 ± 0.04 mm (DP) (p < 0.001). The torsional stiffness was 1.68 ± 0.14 Nm/degree (SBLF), 2.32 ± 0.29 Nm/degree (SP) (SBLF&SP, p < 0.001), and 3.53 ± 0.73 Nm/degree (DP) (SBLF&DP, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The SBLF structure may exhibit a better biomechanical performance compared with the SP and DP in providing the best quantity and more symmetrical interfragmentary movement for AO/OTA 32‐A3.2 fractures.