bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One hundred and ten years of Allergen Immunotherapy: A journey from empiric observation to evidence
Authors: Pfaar Oliver , Bousquet Jean , Durham Stephen R. , Kleine‐Tebbe Jörg , Larché Mark , Roberts Graham , Shamji Mohamed H. , Gerth van Wijk Roy
Published: July 2021

One hundred and ten years after Noon's first clinical report of the subcutaneous application of allergen extracts, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) has evolved as the most important pillar of the treatment of allergic patients. It is the only disease‐modifying treatment option available and the evidence for its clinical efficacy and safety is broad and undisputed. Throughout recent decades, more insights into the underlying mechanisms, in particular the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses, have been described. AIT is acknowledged by worldwide regulatory authorities, and following the regulatory guidelines for product development, AIT products are subject to a rigorous evaluation before obtaining market authorization. Knowledge and practice are anchored in international guidelines, such as the recently published series of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI). Innovative approaches continue to be further developed with the focus on clinical improvement by, for example, the usage of adjuvants, peptides, recombinants, modification of allergens, new routes of administration, and the concomitant use of biologicals. In addition, real‐life data provide complementary and valuable information on the effectiveness and tolerability of this treatment option in the clinical routine. New mobile health technologies and big‐data approaches will improve daily treatment convenience, adherence, and efficacy of AIT. However, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has also had some implications for the feasibility and practicability of AIT. Taken together, AIT as the only disease‐modifying therapy in allergic diseases has been broadly investigated over the past 110 years laying the path for innovations and further improvement.
Adverse COVID‐19 outcomes in immune deficiencies: Inequality exists between subclasses
Authors: Karakoc Aydiner Elif , Bilgic Eltan Sevgi , Babayeva Royale , Aydiner Omer , Kepenekli Eda , Kolukisa Burcu , Sefer Asena Pinar , Yalcin Gungoren Ezgi , Karabiber Esra , Yucel Esra Ozek , Ozdemir Oner , Kiykim Ayca , Artac Hasibe , Yakici Nalan , Yalcin Koray , Cokugras Haluk , Celkan Tulin Tiraje , Orhan Fazil , Yesilipek Mehmet Akif , Baris Safa , Ozen Ahmet
Published: July 2021

Background

Genetic deficiencies of immune system, referred to as inborn errors of immunity (IEI), serve as a valuable model to study human immune responses. In a multicenter prospective cohort, we evaluated the outcome of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection among IEI subjects and analyzed genetic and immune characteristics that determine adverse COVID‐19 outcomes.

Methods

We studied 34 IEI patients (19M/15F, 12 [min: 0.6‐max: 43] years) from six centers. We diagnosed COVID‐19 infection by finding a positive SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR test (n = 25) and/or a lung tomography scoring (CORADS) ≥4 (n = 9). We recorded clinical and laboratory findings prospectively, fitted survival curves, and calculated fatality rates for the entire group and each IEI subclass.

Results

Nineteen patients had combined immune deficiency (CID), six with predominantly antibody deficiency (PAD), six immune dysregulation (ID), two innate immune defects, and one in the autoinflammatory class. Overall, 23.5% of cases died, with disproportionate fatality rates among different IEI categories. PAD group had a relatively favorable outcome at any age, but CIDs and IDs were particularly vulnerable. At admission, presence of dyspnea was an independent risk for COVID‐related death (OR: 2.630, 95% CI; 1.198–5.776, p < .001). Concerning predictive roles of laboratory markers at admission, deceased subjects compared to survived had significantly higher CRP, procalcitonin, Troponin‐T, ferritin, and total‐lung‐score (p = .020, p = .003, p = .014, p = .013, p = .020; respectively), and lower absolute lymphocyte count, albumin, and trough IgG (p = .012, p = .022, p = .011; respectively).

Conclusion

Our data disclose a highly vulnerable IEI subgroup particularly disadvantaged for COVID‐19 despite their youth. Future studies should address this vulnerability and consider giving priority to these subjects in SARS‐Cov‐2 therapy trials.
Disability, straight time, and the American Dream
Authors: WOOL ZOË H.
Published: July 2021

In the lives of injured US veterans of the post‐9/11 wars, rehabilitation and heteronormativity are intertwined.Straight timenames the ways these imperatives come together in fantasies of the heteronormative life course. This life course is central to the middle‐class, white‐coded American Dream, in which disability appears only at life's end. Chasing this dream brings many into the US military, but military service often imperils, rather than secures, that dream. Attention to efforts to straighten out life's temporality in the long aftermath of injury reveals a tension between a desire for a heteronormative life course and the experience of living otherwise. As these tensions surface, the cruelty of normative aspirations and their temporal frames become clear. The framework of straight time thus highlights how normative desires are complicated by sometimes‐unexpected attachments to queerness and disability, even in the intensely normative cultural space of the US military. [disability,veterans,heteronormativity,temporality,United States]
Ultrasound vs routine care before instrumental vaginal delivery: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mappa Ilenia , Tartaglia Silvio , Maqina Pavjola , Makatsariya Alexander , Ghi Tullio , Rizzo Giuseppe , D’Antonio Francesco
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The objective was to report the role of intrapartum ultrasound examination in affecting maternal and perinatal outcome in women undergoing instrumental vaginal delivery.

Material and methods

MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Google Scholar and ClinicalTrial.gov databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing ultrasound assessment of fetal head position vs routine standard care (digital examination) before instrumental vaginal delivery (either vacuum or forceps). The primary outcome was failed instrumental delivery extraction followed by cesarean section. Secondary outcomes were postpartum hemorrhage, 3rd or 4th degree perineal lacerations, episiotomy, prolonged hospital stay, Apgar score<7 at 5 min, umbilical artery pH <7.0 and base excess greater than −12 mEq, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), shoulder dystocia, birth trauma, a composite score of adverse maternal and neonatal outcome and incorrect diagnosis of fetal head position. Risk of bias was assessed using the Revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tool for randomized trials (RoB‐2). The quality of evidence and strength of recommendations were assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology. Head‐to‐head meta‐analyses using a random‐effect model were used to analyze the data and results are reported as relative risk with their 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Five studies were included (1463 women). There was no difference in the maternal, pregnancy or labor characteristics between the two groups. An ultrasound assessment prior to instrumental vaginal delivery did not affect the cesarean section rate compared with standard care (p = 0.805). Likewise, the risk of composite adverse maternal outcome (p = 0.428), perineal lacerations (p = 0.800), postpartum hemorrhage (p = 0.303), shoulder dystocia (p = 0.862) and prolonged stay in hospital (p = 0.059) were not different between the two groups. Composite adverse neonatal outcome was not different between the women undergoing and those not undergoing ultrasound assessment prior to instrumental delivery (p = 0.400). Likewise, there was no increased risk with abnormal Apgar score (p = 0.882), umbilical artery pH < 7.2 (p = 0.713), base excess greater than −12 (p = 0.742), admission to NICU (p = 0.879) or birth trauma (p = 0.968). The risk of having an incorrect diagnosis of fetal head position was lower when ultrasound was performed before instrumental delivery, with a relative risk of 0.16 (95% confidence interval 0.1–0.3; I2:77%, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Although ultrasound examination was associated with a lower rate of incorrect diagnoses of fetal head position and station, this did not translate to any improvement of maternal or neonatal outcomes.
Systematic review: duodenogastroesophageal (biliary) reflux prevalence, symptoms, oesophageal lesions and treatment
Authors: Basnayake Chamara , Geeraerts Annelies , Pauwels Ans , Koek Ger , Vaezi Michael , Vanuytsel Tim , Tack Jan
Published: July 2021

Background

The prevalence of duodenogastroesophageal reflux (DGER) and its effect on symptoms and oesophageal lesions in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unclear.

Aims

To conduct a systematic review to determine the prevalence of DGER among patients with GERD, the effect of DGER on symptoms and oesophageal lesions, and the treatment of DGER.

Methods

We searched Pubmed and MEDLINE for full text, English language articles until October 2020 that evaluated DGER prevalence among patients with GERD, the effect of DGER on symptoms and oesophageal lesions, and the treatment of DGER.

Results

We identified 3891 reports and included 35 which analysed DGER prevalence in GERD, 15 which evaluated its effect in non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD), 17 on erosive oesophagitis, 23 in Barrett's, and 13 which evaluated the treatment of DGER. The prevalence of DGER, when evaluated by Bilitec, among all GERD patients ranged from 10% to 97%, in NERD 10%‐63%, in erosive oesophagitis 22%‐80% and in Barrett's 50%‐100%. There were no differences in the presence or degree of DGER among patients who were asymptomatic or symptomatic on proton pump inhibitors (PPI). The most commonly evaluated treatments for DGER were PPIs and DGER reduced post‐PPI therapy in all studies.

Conclusions

The prevalence of DGER increased with more advanced oesophageal lesions and did not explain persisting symptoms among patients taking PPI therapy. PPIs appear to be effective in the treatment of DGER. DGER remains an important consideration in patients with GERD and future therapies deserve more study.
Liquid biopsy: a non‐invasive approach for Hodgkin lymphoma genotyping
Authors: Alcoceba Miguel , García‐Álvarez María , Chillón M. Carmen , Jiménez Cristina , Medina Alejandro , Antón Alicia , Blanco Oscar , Díaz Luis G. , Tamayo Pilar , González‐Calle Verónica , Vidal María Jesús , Cuello Rebeca , Díaz Gálvez Francisco Javier , Queizán José Antonio , Martín Alejandro , González Marcos , García‐Sanz Ramón , Sarasquete M. Eugenia
Published: July 2021

The Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) genomic landscape is hardly known due to the scarcity of tumour cells in the tissue. Liquid biopsy employing circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) can emerge as an alternative tool for non‐invasive genotyping. By using a custom next generation sequencing (NGS) panel in combination with unique molecule identifiers, we aimed to identify somatic variants in the ctDNA of 60 HL at diagnosis. A total of 277 variants were detected in 36 of the 49 samples (73·5%) with a good quality ctDNA sample. The median number of variants detected per patient was five (range 1–23) with a median variant allele frequency of 4·2% (0·84–28%). Genotyping revealed somatic variants in the following genes: SOCS1 (28%), IGLL5 (26%), TNFAIP3 (23%), GNA13 (23%), STAT6 (21%) and B2M (19%). Moreover, several poor prognosis features (high LDH, low serum albumin, B‐symptoms, IPI ≥ 3 or at an advanced stage) were related to significantly higher amounts of ctDNA. Variant detection in ctDNA by NGS is a feasible approach to depict the genetic features of HL patients at diagnosis. Our data favour the implementation of liquid biopsy genotyping for the routine evaluation of HL patients.
Association between sugary drinks consumption and dental caries incidence among Taiwanese schoolchildren with mixed dentition
Authors: Lin Po‐Yen , Lee Yu‐Chin , Hsu Le‐Yin , Chang Hong‐Ji , Chi Lin‐Yang
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Dental caries is a multifactorial disease, and a sugary diet can generate an acidic plaque environment that advances its development. However, the specific effect of sugary drinks on the subsequent oral health of schoolchildren with mixed dentition is unclear. In this study, we investigated the association between the consumption of sugary drinks and 1 year incidence rate of caries in permanent teeth among Taiwanese schoolchildren with mixed dentition.

Methods

A longitudinal 1 year follow‐up study was conducted among Taiwanese schoolchildren aged 8‐9 years. A questionnaire collected information regarding the parents’ oral health status and their children's demographic background, oral health‐related behaviours and consumption habits of sugary drinks, including handmade drinks (specifically bubble tea and pearl milk tea) and carbonated drinks. Dental caries was recorded through standardized oral examinations. The number of dental services received was retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and zero‐inflated negative binomial models were used to estimate the association between the consumption of sugary drinks and the incidence rate of caries in permanent teeth after 1 year.

Results

The study involved 494 children. During the 1 year follow‐up period, 117 children developed new dental caries in their permanent teeth, yielding a caries incidence rate of 0.183 per person‐year. After adjustments for confounding factors, children who preferred having sugar‐rich beverages were associated with having a 4.3 times higher (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2‐15.7) risk of developing caries than did those who preferred nonsugary drinks (P < .05). Additionally, children who often consumed handmade drinks were associated with having a 1.7 times higher (95% CI = 1.1‐2.9) risk of developing caries than those who seldom consumed (P < .05).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that the consumption of sugary drinks during the mixed dentition stage might be a major etiological factor for caries in permanent teeth. These findings could be valuable to paediatricians, dentists, nutritionists and policymakers.
Predicting life with a permanent end colostomy: A prospective study on function, bother and acceptance
Authors: Sandberg Sofia , Asplund Dan , Bock David , Ehrencrona Carolina , Ohlsson Björn , Park Jennifer , Rosenberg Jacob , Smedh Kenneth , Walming Sofie , Angenete Eva
Published: July 2021

Aim

The factors that influence a patient's experience of a colostomy are not known. The aim of this study was to characterise stoma function, stoma‐related bother and acceptance among patients operated for rectal cancer and to investigate if there were any preoperative personal factors with predictive impact on long‐term stoma‐related bother.

Methods

The QoLiRECT (Quality of Life in RECTal cancer) study is a prospective multicentre study of patients with rectal cancer. This was a subgroup analysis of patients with a permanent colostomy with a 2‐year follow‐up. Penalised regression models with shrinkage estimation were used to predict the 1‐and 2‐year bother using baseline data. The predictive value and the importance of the included variables were evaluated using bootstrap resampling techniques.

Results

A total of 379 patients were included. Overall stoma acceptance was high and a majority of patients were not bothered by their stoma; 77% and 83% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. The subgroup of patients with stoma‐related bother had a high prevalence of difficulties, especially fear of leakage, and a low stoma acceptance in daily life. Both clinical and personal factors were associated with stoma‐related bother. The most important factors were quality of life and physical health, but the prediction accuracy was low.

Conclusions

Stoma‐related bother was associated with overall stoma dysfunction. As stoma‐related bother is a multifactorial problem, it was not possible to predict which patients will experience stoma‐related bother. It is therefore of importance to prevent stoma‐related symptoms and optimise stoma function to reduce long‐term bother and increase stoma acceptance.
Diagnostic accuracy of C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin and neutrophils for the early detection of anastomotic leakage after colorectal resection: a multicentric, prospective study
Authors: Sala Hernandez Angela , Frasson Matteo , García‐Granero Alvaro , Hervás Marín David , Laiz Marro Begoña , Alonso Pardo Ricardo , Aldrey Cao Inés , Alvarez Perez José Antonio , Roque Castellano Cristina , García González Jose María , Tabet Almeida Janine , García‐Granero Eduardo ,   the EDEN study group
Published: July 2021

Aim

The aim was to determine the accuracy of C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin and neutrophils in the early detection (fourth postoperative day) of anastomotic leakage (AL) after colorectal surgery.

Methods

We conducted a multicentre, prospective study that included a consecutive series of patients who underwent colorectal resection with anastomosis without ostomy (September 2015 to December 2017). CRP, procalcitonin and neutrophil values on the fourth postoperative day after colorectal resection along with the postoperative outcome (60‐day AL, morbidity and mortality) were prospectively included in an online, anonymous database.

Results

The analysis ultimately included 2501 cases. The overall morbidity and mortality was 30.1% and 1.6%, respectively, and the AL rate was 8.6%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (95% CI) for detecting AL were 0.84 (0.81–0.87), 0.75 (0.72–0.79) and 0.70 (0.66–0.74) for CRP, procalcitonin and neutrophils, respectively. The best cut‐off level for CRP was 119 mg/l, resulting in 70% sensitivity, 81% specificity and 97% negative predictive value. After laparoscopic resection, the accuracy for CRP and procalcitonin was increased, compared with open resection. The combination of two or three of these biomarkers did not significantly increase their accuracy.

Conclusion

On the fourth postoperative day, CRP was the most reliable marker for excluding AL. Its high negative predictive value, especially after laparoscopic resection, allows for safe hospital discharge on the fourth postoperative day. The routine use of procalcitonin or neutrophil counts does not seem to increase the diagnostic accuracy.
The economic impact of political instability and mass civil protest
Authors: Matta Samer , Bleaney Michael , Appleton Simon
Published: July 2021

An extensive literature has examined the economic effects of non‐violent political instability events. Nonetheless, the issue of whether economies react differently over time to such events remains largely unexplored. Using synthetic control methodology, which constructs a counterfactual in the absence of political instability, we estimate the output effect of 38 regime crises in the period 1970–2011. A crucial factor is whether crises are accompanied by mass civil protest. In the crises accompanied by mass civil protest, there is typically an immediate fall in output which is never recovered in the subsequent five years. In crises unaccompanied by protest, there are usually no significant output effects. It is unclear, however, whether mass civil protest causes the greater fall in output or is simply an indicator of a more severe political crisis.
A holistic perspective on soil architecture is needed as a key to soil functions
Authors: Vogel Hans‐Jörg , Balseiro‐Romero Maria , Kravchenko Alexandra , Otten Wilfred , Pot Valérie , Schlüter Steffen , Weller Ulrich , Baveye Philippe C.
Published: July 2021

Soil functions, including climate regulation and the cycling of water and nutrients, are of central importance for a number of environmental issues of great societal concern. To understand and manage these functions, it is crucial to be able to quantify the structure of soils, now increasingly referred to as their “architecture,” as it constraints the physical, chemical and biological processes in soils. This quantification was traditionally approached from two different angles, one focused on aggregates of the solid phase, and the other on the pore space. The recent development of sophisticated, non‐disturbing imaging techniques has led to significant progress in the description of soil architecture, in terms of both the pore space and the spatial configuration of mineral and organic materials. We now have direct access to virtually all aspects of soil architecture. In the present article, we review how this affects the perception of soil architecture specifically when trying to describe the functions of soils. A key conclusion of our analysis is that soil architecture, in that context, imperatively needs to be explored in its natural state, with as little disturbance as possible. The same requirement applies to the key processes taking place in the hierarchical soil pore network, including those contributing to the emergence of a heterogeneous organo‐mineral soil matrix by various mixing processes, such as bioturbation, diffusion, microbial metabolism and organo‐mineral interactions. Artificially isolated aggregates are fundamentally inappropriate for deriving conclusions about the functioning of an intact soil. To fully account for soil functions, we argue that a holistic approach that centres on the pore space is mandatory while the dismantlement of soils into chunks may still be carried out to study the binding of soil solid components. In the future, significant progress is expected along this holistic direction, as new, advanced technologies become available.

Highlights

We highlight the crucial importance of the temporal dynamics of soil architecture for biological activity and carbon turnover.

We reconcile controversial concepts relative to how soil architecture is formed and reshaped with time.

Soil is demonstrated to be a heterogeneous porous matrix and not an assembly of aggregates.

Biological and physical mixing processes are key for the formation and dynamics of soil architecture.
Out of the dark: Using energy flux to connect above‐ and belowground communities and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Jochum Malte , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: July 2021

Soil ecosystems are both particularly important to humans and vulnerable to human‐made global change. Here, we identify some key aspects of soil community and ecosystem research that need to be more widely studied to understand soil responses to global change and enable us to efficiently protect them. This perspective integrates multiple taxa and trophic levels, combines structural community variables with ecosystem processes, and considers multiple energy channels rather than focusing on only bacterial, fungal, or plant‐derived resources. Moreover, it enables implementing the claim that terrestrial ecosystem research should more widely adopt an integrative view of above–belowground processes. Having identified these key areas requiring higher attention, we suggest a wider application of the food‐web energetics approach to calculating energy flux as a suitable and very powerful tool to simultaneously integrate these aspects. The approach combines food‐web and metabolic theory to quantify energy flux through trophic networks as a universal currency of multitrophic ecosystem functioning. In addition to whole‐community metrics, it allows for quantifying various important processes by summing up the flux out of autotrophs, detritus, or animals to their respective consumers. This includes the assessment of processes that are otherwise hard to quantify, such as belowground herbivory or predation. The calculation requires data on the focal community and its metabolic demand, trophic interactions, feeding preferences and assimilation efficiency, some of which can be measured, whereas other components can be inferred from readily available literature resources. We outline how novel, high‐throughput methods, such as metabarcoding, can be combined with the energy‐flux approach to improve our understanding of soil ecosystem structure and functioning. We hope that our article motivates fellow soil researchers to adopt energy‐flux approaches for their community data and support the further development of this promising approach for soil community and ecosystem science.

Highlights

Multitrophic interactions bridge the structure and functioning of soil ecosystems.

An integrated ecosystem perspective requires the quantification of the main energy channels in soil.

Linking above‐ and belowground compartments provides deeper insights into whole‐ecosystem processes.

Quantifying energy flux through above–belowground systems enables those insights.
Is the Technological Revolution Reshaping Our Understanding of Love?
Authors: Petković Tijana
Published: July 2021

This article seeks to explore how technology affects the way we understand and practise love, against the background of the theme of the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches, “Christ’s love moves the world to reconciliation and unity.” The article argues that we need a deeper, theologically informed interdisciplinary engagement about new understandings of technology and how technology might contribute to human flourishing. It concludes that dialogue between theology, ethics, and technology is crucial to prevent the negative effects of the digital‐technological revolution on how we love and relate to one another.
Mating preference is mating system and relatedness dependent in the ladybird beetle, Menochilus sexmaculatus
Authors: Saxena Swati , Mishra Geetanjali , Omkar
Published: July 2021

Mate choice results from the sensory or behavioural properties that cause individuals to mate with some phenotypes and not others. It can result in direct or indirect (genetic) benefits. Mate choice can also be influenced by various abiotic and biotic factors including the mating system. Here, we investigated how the mating system of the ladybird, Menochilus sexmaculatus, influences mate choice and also affects the time of commencement of mating, copulation duration, fecundity and percent egg viability. We also tested whether mate choice is dynamically affected by relatedness. We found that monandrous and polyandrous females both preferred polyandrous rather than monandrous males. In contrast, males preferred monandrous females over polyandrous females. However, females preferred unrelated monogynous males which were earlier rejected over related polygynous and males preferred unrelated polyandrous females over related monandrous females. Mating system and relatedness also impacted time to commence mating and copulation duration, fecundity and percent egg viability. This will help us to understand precisely why these shifts occur, which will be the subject of future study.
Enhanced indexing and selectivity theory
Authors: Bolshakov Andrei , Chincarini Ludwig B. , Lewis Christopher
Published: July 2021

Investment managers that believe to have skill must choose some fraction of stocks in a benchmark to hold. Recent theory predicts that the optimal percentage of holdings for a manager with skill is between 50% and 80% of the benchmark. This theory requires a number of assumptions. Using simulations, we relax some of the assumptions to examine if the theory still holds. We find that, for the most part, the theory holds when the assumptions are relaxed. We also extend the analysis from a one‐period horizon to a multiperiod horizon using the actual returns of stocks in the S&P 500.
Vitamin D modulates hepatic microRNAs and mitigates tamoxifen‐induced steatohepatitis in female rats
Authors: Abd El‐Haleim Enas A. , Sallam Nada A.
Published: July 2021

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a life‐saving and cost‐effective drug widely used in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer. However, the adverse effects of tamoxifen can lead to non‐adherence and poor patient outcomes. Therefore, exploring novel strategies to improve TAM safety profile is crucial. Given the key role that vitamin D (VD) plays in modulating lipid metabolism and inflammation, in addition to its benefits in reducing risk and progression of breast cancer, we evaluated the protective potential of VD against TAM‐induced hepatotoxicity focusing on lipid metabolism and microRNAs (miRNAs) regulation. Female rats were pretreated with VD as cholecalciferol (500 IU/kg/day, po) for 4 weeks before receiving TAM (40 mg/kg/day, po) concurrently with VD during the fifth and sixth weeks. Liver histology, lipid profile and expression of genes, proteins, and miRNAs involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation were examined. TAM‐induced steatohepatitis was evidenced by elevated liver triglycerides and cholesterol contents, increased serum miRNA‐122 level, and ALT activity, in parallel with accumulation of lipid droplets, focal necrosis, and inflammatory cells infiltration in hepatocytes. Prophylactic use of VD mitigated TAM‐induced steatohepatitis by modulating key transcription factors in the liver: PPAR‐α, Srebf1, and NF‐κB and their downstream genes/proteins Fas, CPT‐1A, and TNF‐α resulting in reduced hepatic lipids and suppressed pro‐inflammatory signaling. Notably, VD pretreatment mitigated TAM‐induced alterations in the expression of serum miRNA‐122, hepatic miRNA‐21, and miRNA‐33. The combination therapy of VD and TAM has complementary benefits in terms of safety and not only efficacy and should be further investigated clinically.
Morphology mirrors trophic niche in a freshwater amphipod community
Authors: Copilaș‐Ciocianu Denis , Boros Bianca‐Vanesa , Šidagytė‐Copilas Eglė
Published: July 2021

Amphipod crustaceans are ubiquitous in temperate freshwaters, where they radiated multiple times in a broad range of habitats. This has led to significant morphological and ecological disparity. However, a limited knowledge of functional morphology and its relation to ecology has often led to the view that freshwater amphipods are omnivorous shredders. Herein, we hypothesise that trophic differentiation is related to functional morphology in a sympatric assemblage of three species belonging to three widespread families: Crangonyctidae, Gammaridae, and Niphargidae.

We quantified seasonal diet composition by examining gut contents, and measured 42 functional morphological traits.

Our results reveal a clear trophic and morphological differentiation among these sympatric species. The carnivorous Niphargus valachicus exhibited predatory traits exemplified by a smaller molar surface and stomach length, and larger/longer grasping, locomotory, and sensory appendages in comparison to the herbivorous Gammarus dacicus. The third species, Synurella ambulans, was omnivorous given its intermediate diet and morphology. We did not find consistent evidence for seasonal diet variation, except for the summer and winter diet of G. dacicus.

The observed niches stretched along a broad trophic spectrum, indicating that even small riverine amphipod communities can exhibit significant functional disparity.

The apparent connection between morphology and diet is similar to that observed in other crustaceans, strengthening our mechanistic understanding of the niche–morphology link. However, the generality of these conclusions needs to be tested on larger species datasets.
Soil nutrients increase long‐term soil carbon gains threefold on retired farmland
Authors: Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Hobbie Sarah E. , MacDougall Andrew S.
Published: July 2021

Abandoned agricultural lands often accumulate soil carbon (C) following depletion of soil C by cultivation. The potential for this recovery to provide significant C storage benefits depends on the rate of soil C accumulation, which, in turn, may depend on nutrient supply rates. We tracked soil C for almost four decades following intensive agricultural soil disturbance along an experimentally imposed gradient in nitrogen (N) added annually in combination with other macro‐ and micro‐nutrients. Soil %C accumulated over the course of the study in unfertilized control plots leading to a gain of 6.1 Mg C ha−1 in the top 20 cm of soil. Nutrient addition increased soil %C accumulation leading to a gain of 17.8 Mg C ha−1 in fertilized plots, nearly a threefold increase over the control plots. These results demonstrate that substantial increases in soil C in successional grasslands following agricultural abandonment occur over decadal timescales, and that C gain is increased by high supply rates of soil nutrients. In addition, soil %C continued to increase for decades under elevated nutrient supply, suggesting that short‐term nutrient addition experiments underestimate the effects of soil nutrients on soil C accumulation.
Carbon myopia: The urgent need for integrated social, economic and environmental action in the livestock sector
Authors: Harrison Matthew Tom , Cullen Brendan Richard , Mayberry Dianne Elizabeth , Cowie Annette Louise , Bilotto Franco , Badgery Warwick Brabazon , Liu Ke , Davison Thomas , Christie Karen Michelle , Muleke Albert , Eckard Richard John
Published: July 2021

Livestock have long been integral to food production systems, often not by choice but by need. While our knowledge of livestock greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation has evolved, the prevailing focus has been—somewhat myopically—on technology applications associated with mitigation. Here, we (1) examine the global distribution of livestock GHG emissions, (2) explore social, economic and environmental co‐benefits and trade‐offs associated with mitigation interventions and (3) critique approaches for quantifying GHG emissions. This review uncovered many insights. First, while GHG emissions from ruminant livestock are greatest in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC; globally, 66% of emissions are produced by Latin America and the Caribbean, East and southeast Asia and south Asia), the majority of mitigation strategies are designed for developed countries. This serious concern is heightened by the fact that 80% of growth in global meat production over the next decade will occur in LMIC. Second, few studies concurrently assess social, economic and environmental aspects of mitigation. Of the 54 interventions reviewed, only 16 had triple‐bottom line benefit with medium–high mitigation potential. Third, while efforts designed to stimulate the adoption of strategies allowing both emissions reduction (ER) and carbon sequestration (CS) would achieve the greatest net emissions mitigation, CS measures have greater potential mitigation and co‐benefits. The scientific community must shift attention away from the prevailing myopic lens on carbon, towards more holistic, systems‐based, multi‐metric approaches that carefully consider the raison d'être for livestock systems. Consequential life cycle assessments and systems‐aligned ‘socio‐economic planetary boundaries’ offer useful starting points that may uncover leverage points and cross‐scale emergent properties. The derivation of harmonized, globally reconciled sustainability metrics requires iterative dialogue between stakeholders at all levels. Greater emphasis on the simultaneous characterization of multiple sustainability dimensions would help avoid situations where progress made in one area causes maladaptive outcomes in other areas.
Factors of feelings of happiness at work among staff in geriatric care facilities
Authors: Tei‐tominaga Maki , Nakanishi Miharu
Published: July 2021

Aim

To examine the factors influencing feelings of happiness at work among caregivers in geriatric care facilities.

Methods

Self‐reported questionnaires were distributed to caregivers (n = 1396) at 26 geriatric care facilities. The response rate was 68%. The questionnaire had items regarding feelings of happiness at work, professionalism in dementia care (i.e. intrinsic motivation), wage adequacy, and subscales of The Social Capital and Ethical Climate in the Workplace scale (extrinsic motivations), basic attributes, and work and organizational characteristics. Data pertaining to 632 staff members were used in the multivariable logistic regression for the group with high scores on feelings of happiness at work, by sex and occupation.

Results

Higher professionalism in dementia caregiving was more likely to occur in the high‐score groups among all staff (OR 1.21–1.55, P < 0.01). Female nurses and male professional caregivers with higher scores for social capital in the workplace (OR 3.11, P < 0.01; OR = 2.33, P < 0.05) and female professional caregivers with higher scores for ethical leadership (OR 1.78, P < 0.01) were more likely to be in the high‐score group for feelings of happiness at work, whereas male professional caregivers with perceived inadequacy of wages (OR 0.33, P < 0.05) were less likely to be in the high‐score group for feelings of happiness at work.

Conclusions

The findings underlined the important contributory factors of feelings of happiness at work, which could motivate stakeholders to enhance social capital, ethical leadership, and remuneration and other extrinsic rewards to improve staff well‐being. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 818–824.
A research agenda on oral health care as a boundary object that unites the perspectives of patients and practitioners
Authors: Hilverda Femke , van der Wouden Puck , van der Heijden Geert J. M. G. , Pittens Carina A. C. M.
Published: July 2021

Context

A research agenda for oral health care was established in the Netherlands using the Dialogue Model. This project served as a case study in which we applied boundary‐work theory as a framework to understand boundaries (ie demarcations) between and within groups, and how these boundaries can be overcome.

Objective

To gain insights into the boundaries encountered when setting a research agenda, we analysed how this agenda served as a boundary object (ie circumstances, situations or material that connect actor groups and allow boundary crossing) that facilitated crossing boundaries and uniting the perspectives of patients and practitioners.

Methods

We used a thematic approach to analyse researchers' observations, meeting materials, emails, interviews with patients (n = 11) and a survey among patients and practitioners (n = 18).

Results

Setting the research agenda helped to cross boundaries in oral health care, which demonstrates its role as a boundary object. First, this made it possible to integrate research topics representing the perspectives and priorities of all patients and also to unite those perspectives. It was essential to involve practitioners at an early stage of the project so that they could better accept the patients' perspectives. This resulted in support for an integrated research agenda, which facilitated the crossing of boundaries.

Conclusions

The research agenda‐setting project was found to serve as a boundary object in uniting the perspectives and priorities of patients and practitioners.

Patient contribution

Patient involvement in this case study was structured in the process of research agenda setting using the Dialogue Model.
The long discourse on informality as reflected in selected articles of the International Labour Review
Authors: KANBUR Ravi
Published: July 2021

This article presents a Centenary Issue on Informality to mark the 100th anniversary of the International Labour Review (ILR). The issue brings together ten articles published in the ILR between 1975 and 2016 that are devoted exclusively to the analysis of informality. This introduction begins with an analytical framework, considers the origins of the informality discourse and then discusses the articles in this Centenary Issue, locating them in the broader literature through illustrative rather than comprehensive referencing. It concludes by looking ahead to what the coming decades of analysis and policy discourse may bring.
Exploring the experience of acute inpatient mental health care from the perspective of family and carers of people experiencing psychosis: A qualitative thematic analysis study conducted during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Wood Lisa , Constant Callam , Byrne Alison
Published: July 2021

Family and carers play an important role in supporting service users who are in receipt of acute mental health inpatient care, but they can also be significantly emotionally and physically impacted. The aim of this study was to examine their needs and priorities during this time. Fourteen family and carers of inpatients experiencing psychosis completed semi‐structured interviews examining their experiences of inpatient care during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Four key themes were identified: ‘A turbulent journey to hospital admission’, ‘I need information and support’, ‘Maintaining my relationship with my loved one’ and ‘Inpatient care is a mixed bag’. Each theme comprised four or five subthemes. The findings demonstrated that family and carers feel excluded from inpatient care and struggled to maintain contact with their loved ones, which was exacerbated by COVID‐19 related restrictions. Communication and being regularly informed about their loved one’s care, as well as visiting loved ones, was particularly problematic. Inpatient care needs to be more inclusive of family and carers and ensure they are kept in mind at every stage of the admission.
Instructing students on effective sequences of examples and problems: Does self‐regulated learning improve from knowing what works and why?
Authors: van Harsel Milou , Hoogerheide Vincent , Verkoeijen Peter , van Gog Tamara
Published: July 2021

Nowadays, students often practice problem‐solving skills in online learning environments with the help of examples and problems. This requires them to self‐regulate their learning. It is questionable how novices self‐regulate their learning from examples and problems and whether they need support. The present study investigated the open questions (1) to what extent students' (novices) task selections align with instructional design principles and (2) whether informing them about these principles would improve their task selections, learning outcomes, and motivation. Higher education students (N = 150) learned a problem‐solving procedure by fixed sequences of examples and problems (FS‐condition), or by self‐regulated learning (SRL). The SRL participants selected tasks from a database, varying in format, complexity, and cover story, either with (ISRL‐condition) or without (SRL‐condition) watching a video detailing the instructional design principles. Students' task‐selection patterns in both SRL conditions largely corresponded to the principles, although tasks were built up in complexity more often in the ISRL‐condition than in the SRL‐condition. Moreover, there was still room for improvement in students' task selections after solving practice problems. The video instruction helped students to better apply certain principles, but did not enhance learning and motivation. Finally, there were no test performance or motivational differences among conditions. Although these findings might suggest it is relatively ‘safe’ to allow students to independently start learning new problems‐solving tasks using examples and problems, caution is warranted: It is unclear whether these findings generalize to other student populations, as the students participating in this study have had some experience with similar tasks or learning with examples. Moreover, as there was still room for improvement in students' task selections, follow‐up research should investigate how we can further improve self‐regulated learning from examples and practice problems.
Delayed heart rate recovery after exercise predicts development of metabolic syndrome: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Yu Tae Yang , Hong Won‐Jung , Jin Sang‐Man , Hur Kyu Yeon , Jee Jae Hwan , Bae Ji Cheol , Kim Jae Hyeon , Lee Moon‐Kyu
Published: July 2021

Aims/Introduction

Several cross‐sectional studies have shown that delayed heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, there has been a lack of comprehensively designed longitudinal studies. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the longitudinal association of delayed HRR following a graded exercise treadmill test (GTX) with incident MetS.

Materials and Methods

This was a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of participants without MetS, diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. The HRR was calculated as the peak heart rate minus the resting heart rate after a 1 min rest (HRR1), a 2 min rest (HRR2), and a 3 min rest (HRR3). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis was performed to investigate the association between HRR and development of MetS.

Results

There were 676 (31.2%) incident cases of MetS identified during the follow‐up period (9,683 person‐years). The only statistically significant relationship was between HRR3 and the development of MetS. The hazard ratios (HRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of incident MetS comparing the first and second tertiles to the third tertile of HRR3 were 1.492 (1.146–1.943) and 1.277 (1.004–1.624) with P = 0.003 after adjustment for multiple risk factors. As a continuous variable, the HR (95% CI) of incident MetS associated with each one‐beat decrease in HRR3 was 1.015 (1.005–1.026) with P = 0.004 after full adjustments. An HRR3 value ≤45 beats per minute (bpm) was associated with a higher risk of incident MetS compared with values >45 bpm, with an HR (95% CI) of 1.304 (1.061–1.602) and P = 0.001.

Conclusions

The slow phase of HRR, particularly HRR3, might be more sensitive at predicting the risk of MetS.
Fluorescence advanced videodermoscopy: a new method of hairs and scalp evaluation. Comparison with trichoscopy.
Authors: Rossi A. , Magri F. , Caro G. , Michelini S. , Di Fraia M. , Fortuna M.C. , Pellacani G. , Carlesimo M.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Non‐invasive diagnostic methods in clinical dermatology are widely used to reduce the need for invasive techniques, with great advantages in terms of cost and time. Dermoscopy is the reference test for the in vivo diagnosis of cutaneous lesions, and when it is performed on the scalp region it is named trichoscopy. Fluorescence advanced videodermoscopy (FAV) has been lately proposed as a new non‐invasive method for the in vivo skin examination at high magnification, with cell‐level resolution. So far, it has shown promising results for the assessment of melanocytic and vascular lesions and for the in vivo diagnosis of parasitosis.

Objectives

This observational study aims to perform, for the first time, a morphologic study of healthy scalp and scalp elementary lesions using FAV and to compare it with trichoscopy.

Methods

We enrolled 90 healthy individuals for the evaluation of the scalp using FAV. Then, we recruited 53 patients with alopecia and collected images of the elementary lesions using FAV and trichoscopy.

Results

Three hundred healthy scalp FAV images of different epidermal layers, papillary dermis, follicular ostia and healthy hair shafts were collected. Three hundred and eighty FAV and trichoscopic images of alopecic scalp elementary lesions were collected, showing that FAV provided a more detailed observation than trichoscopy, with higher magnification and cellular resolution.

Conclusion

Fluorescence advanced videodermoscopy may represent a new valid technique of support to trichoscopy, adding further information, increasing chances of diagnosis and decreasing the need of invasive procedures.