bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel red‐edge spectral index for retrieving the leaf chlorophyll content
Authors: Zhang Hu , Li Jing , Liu Qinhuo , Lin Shangrong , Huete Alfredo , Liu Liangyun , Croft Holly , Clevers Jan G. P. W. , Zeng Yelu , Wang Xiaohan , Gu Chenpeng , Zhang Zhaoxing , Zhao Jing , Dong Yadong , Mumtaz Faisal , Yu Wentao
Published: October 2022

The leaf chlorophyll content (Chlleaf) is a crucial vegetation parameter in carbon cycle modelling and agricultural monitoring at local, regional and global scales. The red‐edge spectral region is sensitive to variations in Chlleaf. An increasing number of sensors are capable of sampling red‐edge bands, providing opportunities to estimate Chlleaf. However, the contributions of canopy/foliar/soil factors are always combined in the reflectance signal, which limits the generalizability of vegetation index (VI)‐based Chlleaf inversions. This study aims to propose a new red‐edge chlorophyll index to decouple the effects of the canopy and soil background from the Chlleaf estimation.

The chlorophyll sensitive index (CSI) was proposed, and the regression equations between the CSI and Chlleaf were acquired using PROSAIL (PROSPECT + SAIL) and the 4‐Scale‐PROSPECT model.

Sensitivity analyses showed that the CSI is resistant to variations in the canopy structure and soil background. Validation results obtained using 308 ground‐measured samples over nine sites world‐wide revealed that CSI improves the Chlleaf retrieval accuracy (root mean square error (RMSE = 9.39 μg cm−2) compared with the existing Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) terrestrial chlorophyll index (MTCI; RMSE = 13.00 μg cm−2). Moreover, the CSI method steadily achieves a highly accurate inversion under different LAI and Chlleaf conditions. Based on the CSI regression method, a Chlleaf product with a 30‐m/10‐day resolution across China was generated.

The CSI is sensitive to Chlleaf but resistant to canopy structure and soil moisture parameters, and it has the potential to explicitly retrieve leaf‐scale biochemistry in ecosystem modelling and ecological applications.
Multi‐species hotspots detection using self‐organizing maps: Simulation and application to purse seine tuna fisheries management
Authors: Stephan Pauline , Gaertner Daniel , Perez Ilan , Guéry Loreleï
Published: October 2022

To fulfil fisheries management objectives that often include implementing the precautionary and ecosystem‐based approaches, multispecies fisheries data need to be analysed. Amongst the different methods dealing with these multidimensional data, self‐organizing maps (SOMs) remain rarely used, although they are highly flexible in data input and offer visualization possibilities particularly suited to summarize complex datasets.

Here, we propose to combine SOMs with a clustering approach to break down data complexity and produce simple geographic maps showing catch hotspots, which can indicate sensitive zones in terms of fishery management. To promote this approach, we tested it first on simulated datasets and then on the open‐access ICCAT commercial catch database of the tropical tuna fisheries of the Atlantic Ocean. We aimed to detect drifting fish aggregating devices (dFADs) catch hotspots of juveniles of two tuna species, bigeye and yellowfin tunas and of the silky shark, a commonly bycaught vulnerable shark species, in tropical tuna purse seine fisheries. Simulations on datasets increasing in complexity (in number, geographic and duration extent of the hotspots and number of species in the analysis) informed us about the method's sensitivity and limits.

Our findings showed that, in the context of multi‐specific fisheries, the detection of the hotspot is dependent on a certain level of catch within the hotspot and that adding species to the analysis tended to mask small and short‐duration hotspots. Applied to tropical tuna fisheries' data, the method confirmed the empirical knowledge on which first time‐area closures were based and provided scientifical support.

All in all, the visual support provided by the method, its interpretability and its potential transferability to other fisheries' systems constitute its main strengths and imply a possible implementation in management decisions; specifically, as a tool to reach agreement between stakeholders in the definition of regulated areas for protecting juveniles of tunas and vulnerable associated species to dFAD practices.
DNA damage contributes to age‐associated differences in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Jin Rui , Niu Chang , Wu Fengyun , Zhou Sixin , Han Tao , Zhang Zhe , Li Entao , Zhang Xiaona , Xu Shanrong , Wang Jiadong , Tian Shen , Chen Wei , Ye Qinong , Cao Cheng , Cheng Long
Published: October 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is known to disproportionately affect older individuals. How aging processes affect SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and disease progression remains largely unknown. Here, we found that DNA damage, one of the hallmarks of aging, promoted SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in vitro and in vivo. SARS‐CoV‐2 entry was facilitated by DNA damage caused by extrinsic genotoxic stress or telomere dysfunction and hampered by inhibition of the DNA damage response (DDR). Mechanistic analysis revealed that DDR increased expression of angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the primary receptor of SARS‐CoV‐2, by activation of transcription factor c‐Jun. Importantly, in vivo experiment using a mouse‐adapted viral strain also verified the significant roles of DNA damage in viral entry and severity of infection. Expression of ACE2 was elevated in the older human and mice tissues and positively correlated with γH2AX, a DNA damage biomarker, and phosphorylated c‐Jun (p‐c‐Jun). Finally, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and MDL‐800, which promote DNA repair, alleviated SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and disease severity in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data provide insights into the age‐associated differences in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and a novel approach for antiviral intervention.
Molecular regulators of human blastocyst development and hatching: Their significance in implantation and pregnancy outcome
Authors: Vani Venkatappa , Vasan Satya S. , Adiga Satish K. , Varsha Samson Roy , Seshagiri Polani B.
Published: October 2022

In humans, blastocyst hatching and implantation events are two sequential, critically linked and rate‐limiting events for a prospective pregnancy. These events are regulated by embryo‐endometrium derived molecular factors which include hormones, growth factors, cytokines, immune‐modulators, cell adhesion molecules and proteases. Due to poor viability of blastocysts, they fail to hatch and implant, leading to a low ‘Live Birth Rates’, majorly contributing to infertility. Here, embryo‐derived biomarkers analysis plays a key role to assess potential biological viability of blastocysts which are capable of implantation and prospective pregnancy. Thus far, embryo‐derived biomarkers examined are mostly immune‐modulators which are thought to be associated with blastocyst development‐implantation and progression of pregnancy, leading to live births. There is an urgent need to develop a quantitative and a reliable non‐invasive approach aiding embryo selection for elective single embryo transfer and to minimize recurrent pregnancy loss and multiple pregnancies. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review on our current knowledge and understanding of potential embryo‐derived molecular regulators, that is, biomarkers, of development of human blastocysts, their hatching and implantation. We discuss their potential implications in the assessment of blastocyst implantation potential and pregnancy outcome in terms of live births in humans.
European History in the Shadows of Crisis
Authors: Mercer Ben , Pattison Micaela
Published: October 2022

This article situates the practice of history in the commemoration and experience of contemporary crises. It argues that the current preoccupation with crisis reflects a failure of historical imagination produced by short‐term thinking that increasingly also governs higher education. The concept of crisis often falls short as a tool for understanding both the past and the contemporary world. Histories and accounts that emphasise sudden crisis or triumphal narratives of resolution fail to account for the deep structures and long‐term struggles that can be illuminated by historical research.
Small non‐coding RNA sequencing reveals global dysregulation of piwi‐interacting RNA (piRNA) expression in gonadal malignant germ cell tumours
Authors: Laidlaw Sean , Alonso‐Crisostomo Luz , Bailey Shivani , Saini Harpreet K. , Molnár Attila , Nicholson James C. , Enright Anton J. , Scarpini Cinzia G. , Rahbari Raheleh , Coleman Nicholas , Murray Matthew J. ,   on behalf the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group
Published: October 2022

Background

Analyses of small non‐coding RNA (ncRNA) expression in malignant germ cell tumours (GCTs) have focused on microRNAs (miRNAs). As GCTs all arise from primordial germ cells, and piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have important roles in maintaining germline integrity via transposon silencing, we hypothesised that malignant GCTs are characterised by fundamental piRNA dysregulation.

Aims

We undertook global small ncRNA sequencing in malignant GCTs, in order to describe small ncRNA expression changes for both miRNAs and piRNAs.

Materials and methods

We performed small ncRNA next generation sequencing on a representative panel of 47 samples, comprising malignant GCT (n = 31) and control (n = 16) tissues/cell lines. Following quality control and normalisation, filtered count reads were used for differential miRNA and piRNA expression analyses via DESeq2. Predicted mRNA targets for piRNAs were identified and utilised for pathway enrichment analyses.

Results

Overall, miRNAs and piRNAs comprised 21.9% and 43.0% of small ncRNA species, respectively. There were 749 differentially expressed miRNAs in malignant GCTs, of which 536 (72%) were over‐expressed and 213 (28%) under‐expressed. The top‐ranking over‐expressed miRNAs were exclusively from the miR‐371∼373 and miR‐302/367 clusters. The most significantly under‐expressed miRNAs were miR‐100‐5p, miR‐214‐3p, miR‐125b‐5p and let‐7 family members, including miR‐202‐3p. There were 1,121 differentially expressed piRNAs in malignant GCTs, of which 167 (15%) were over‐expressed and 954 (85%) under‐expressed. Of note, of the top‐20 differentially expressed piRNAs, 16 were over‐expressed, of which piR‐hsa‐2506793 was both top‐ranking and most abundant. Mobile element (ME; i.e., transposon)‐associated piRNAs comprised 166 (15%) of the 1,121 differentially expressed piRNAs, of which 165 (>99%) were down‐regulated. The remaining 955 (85%) non‐ME‐associated piRNAs may have wider cellular roles. To explore this, predicted mRNA targets of differentially expressed piRNAs identified putative involvement in cancer‐associated pathways.

Conclusion

This study confirms previous miRNA observations, giving credence to our novel demonstration of global piRNA dysregulation in gonadal malignant GCTs, through both ME and non‐ME‐associated pathways, which likely contributes to GCT pathogenesis.
Third‐degree atrioventricular block caused by intoxication with rhododendron leaves
Authors: Jiang Liu , Zhanxiong Lin , Fengcai Yao , Fuli Liang , Xiaoling Su
Published: October 2022

We report the case of a 41‐year‐old human with third‐degree atrioventricular block caused due to intoxication with water concoction prepared from Rhododendron leaves. Such poisoning is rare. It is prone to arrhythmia with hemodynamic instability and is confused with various diseases. For these reasons, the correct diagnosis and treatment of this poisoning are particularly important. We confirmed it by analyzing the remaining liquid carried by the family members. After symptomatic and supportive treatment, the patient was discharged uneventfully.
Cardiovascular concentration–effect relationships of amodiaquine and its metabolite desethylamodiaquine: Clinical and preclinical studies
Authors: Chan Xin Hui S. , Chotsiri Palang , Capel Rebecca A. , Pike James , Hanboonkunupakarn Borimas , Lee Sue J. , Hanafiah Maryam , Win Yan Naung , Cremer Maegan A. , Kiechel Jean‐René , Ogutu Bernhards , Taylor Walter R. J. , Burton Rebecca‐Ann B. , Tarning Joel , White Nicholas J.
Published: October 2022

Aims

Amodiaquine is a 4‐aminoquinoline used extensively for the treatment and prevention of malaria. Orally administered amodiaquine is largely converted to the active metabolite desethylamodiaquine. Amodiaquine can cause bradycardia, hypotension, and electrocardiograph QT interval prolongation, but the relationship of these changes to drug concentrations is not well characterized.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a pharmacokinetic study of the cardiac safety of amodiaquine (10 mg base/kg/day over 3 days) in 54 Kenyan adults (≥18 years) with uncomplicated malaria. Nonlinear mixed effects modelling was used to assess amodiaquine and desethylamodiaquine concentration–effect relationships for vital sign (pulse rate, blood pressure) and electrocardiograph interval (QT, QRS, PR) outcomes. We also measured the spontaneous beating heart rate after cumulative dosing of amodiaquine and desethylamodiaquine in isolated mouse atrial preparations.

Results

Amodiaquine and desethylamodiaquine caused concentration‐dependent mean decreases in pulse rate (1.9 beats/min per 100 nmol/L; 95% confidence interval: 1.5–2.4), supine systolic blood pressure (1.7 mmHg per 100 nmol/L; 1.2–2.1), erect systolic blood pressure (1.5 mmHg per 100 nmol/L; 1.0–2.0) and erect diastolic blood pressure (1.4 mmHg per 100 nmol/L; 1.0–1.7). The mean QT interval prolongation was 1.4 ms per 100 nmol/L irrespective of correction factor after adjustment for residual heart rate dependency. There was no significant effect of drug concentration on postural change in blood pressure or PR and QRS intervals. In mouse atria, the spontaneous beating rate was significantly reduced by amodiaquine (n = 6) and desethylamodiaquine (n = 8) at 3 μmol/L (amodiaquine: 10 ± 2%; desethylamodiaquine: 12 ± 3%) and 10 μmol/L (amodiaquine: 50 ± 7%; desethylamodiaquine: 46 ± 6%) concentrations with no significant difference in potency between the 2 compounds.

Conclusion

Amodiaquine and desethylamodiaquine have concentration‐dependent effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and ventricular repolarization.
General clinical and methodological considerations on the extrapolation of pharmacokinetics and optimization of study protocols for small molecules and monoclonal antibodies in children
Authors: Bouazza Naïm , Dokoumetzidis Aristides , Knibbe Catherijne A. J. , de Wildt Saskia N. , Ambery Claire , De Cock Pieter A. , Gasthuys Elke , Foissac Frantz , Urien Saïk , Hamberg Anna‐Karin , Poggesi Italo , Zhao Wei , Vermeulen An , Standing Joseph F. , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc ,   c4c Expert group on Pharmacometrics
Published: October 2022

Pharmacometric modelling plays a key role in both the design and analysis of regulatory trials in paediatric drug development. Studies in adults provide a rich source of data to inform the paediatric investigation plans, including knowledge on drug pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and efficacy. In children, drug disposition differs widely from birth to adolescence but extrapolating adult to paediatric PK, safety and efficacy either with pharmacometric or physiologically based approaches can help design or in some cases reduce the need for clinical studies. Aspects to consider when extrapolating PK include the maturation of drug metabolizing enzyme expression, glomerular filtration, drug excretory systems, and the expression and activity of specific transporters in conjunction with other drug properties such as fraction unbound. Knowledge of these can be used to develop extrapolation tools such as allometric scaling plus maturation functions or physiologically based PK. PK/pharmacodynamic approaches and well‐designed clinical trials in children are of key importance in paediatric drug development. In this white paper, state‐of‐the‐art of current methods used for paediatric extrapolation will be discussed. This paper is part of a conect4children implementation of innovative methodologies including pharmacometric and physiologically based PK modelling in clinical trial design/paediatric drug development through dissemination of expertise and expert advice. The suggestions arising from this white paper should define a minimum set of standards in paediatric modelling and contribute to the regulatory science.
Intraoperative cell salvage using swab wash and serial thromboelastography in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery involving massive blood loss
Authors: Stoneham Mark D. , Barbosa Antonio , Maher Keith , Douglass Paul , Desborough Michael J. R. , Von Kier Steve
Published: October 2022

The loss of 50% blood volume is one accepted definition of massive haemorrhage, which ordinarily would trigger the massive transfusion protocol, involving the administration of high ratios of fresh frozen plasma and platelets to allogeneic red cells. We investigated 53 patients who experienced >50% blood loss during open elective abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery to assess allogeneic blood component usage and coagulopathy. Specialist patient blood management practitioners used a tailored cell salvage technique including swab wash to maximise blood return. We assessed the proportion of patients who did not require allogeneic blood components and develop evidence of coagulopathy by thromboelastography (TEG) parameters. Blood loss was 50%–174% (mean [SD] 68% [27%]) of blood volume. The mean (SD) intraoperative decrease in haemoglobin concentration, assessed by arterial blood gas analysis, was 5 (13) g/l. No patient received allogeneic red cells intraoperatively. Four of the 53 (8%) patients received blood components in the first 24 h postoperatively at the anaesthetists’ discretion. No patient had intraoperative TEG changes indicative of fibrinolysis or coagulopathy. The 30‐day mortality was 2% (one of 53). Reduction of allogeneic transfusion is one aim of patient blood management techniques. We have demonstrated virtual avoidance of allogeneic blood product transfusion despite massive blood loss. These data show possible alternatives to the current massive transfusion protocols to the management of elective vascular surgical patients.
Exploring the context and elements of local environmental stewardship: An embedded case study of the Niagara Region, Canada
Authors: Kapeller Brooke , Plummer Ryan , Baird Julia , Jollineau Marilyne
Published: October 2022

Environmental stewardship—a concept that describes the relationships between humans and the environment—is gaining increased attention as an approach that can address planetary sustainability issues. In‐depth empirical investigations of local environmental stewardship are needed to understand how social‐ecological context influences stewardship, as well as the arrangement of conceptual elements in applied settings. This study addresses these needs by conducting an in‐depth exploration of environmental stewardship in the Niagara Region of Canada. A single embedded case study design is employed, with environmental stewardship initiatives constituting the individual units of analysis with the case. Analysis of the spatial arrangement of a total of 89 initiatives indicated that initiatives tended to cluster closer to the Niagara River and in more populous municipalities. The significance of collaboration, tensions between the environment and economic development, and concerns about political impacts emerged as themes across contextual factors. The configuration of stewardship elements reveals interesting discrepancies between initiatives and previous stewardship research focused on larger scales, individuals, and organizations. Further analysis is encouraged to illuminate environmental stewardship in other settings as well as advance relational understanding of conceptual elements.
The evaluation of next‐generation sequencing assisted pathogenic detection in immunocompromised hosts with pulmonary infection: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Donghui , Chen Shujing , Wang Ying , Hou Dongni , Chen Cuicui , Wang Linlin , Tang Xinjun , Chen Xiaoyan , Tong Lin , Zhang Yuye , Jiang Jinjun , Song Yuanlin
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Pulmonary infections are frequent in immunocompromised hosts (ICH), and microbial detection is difficult. As a new method, next‐generation sequencing (NGS) may offer a solution.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the impact of NGS‐assisted pathogenic detection on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of ICH complicated by pulmonary infection and radiographic evidence of bilateral diffuse lesions.

Methods

This study enrolled 356 patients with ICH complicated by pulmonary infection that were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, from November 17, 2017, to November 23, 2018, including 102 and 254 in the NGS and non‐NGS groups, respectively. Clinical characteristics, detection time, rough positive rate, effective positive rate, impact on anti‐infective treatment plan, 30‐day/60‐day mortality, and in‐hospital mortality were compared.

Results

NGS‐assisted pathogenic detection reduced detection time (28.2 h [interquartile range (IQR) 25.9–29.83 h] vs. 50.50 h [IQR 47.90–90.91 h], P < 0.001), increased positive rate, rate of mixed infection detected, effective positive rate, and proportion of antibiotic treatment modification (45.28% vs. 89.22%, 4.72% vs. 51.96%, 21.65% vs. 64.71%, 16.54% vs. 46.08%, P < 0.001). The NGS group had a significantly lower 60‐day mortality rate (18.63% vs. 33.07%, P = 0.007). The difference in the Kaplan–Meier survival curve was significant (P = 0.029). After multivariate logistic regression, NGS‐assisted pathogenic detection remained a significant predictor of survival (OR 0.189, confidence interval [CI], 0.068–0.526).

Conclusion

NGS‐assisted pathogenic detection may improve detection efficiency and is associated with better clinical outcomes in these patients.
Incidence of complications from indwelling pleural catheter for pleural effusion: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Shuyan , Zhang Rui , Wan Chun , Qin Jiangyue , Hu Xueru , Shen Yongchun , Chen Lei , Wen Fuqiang
Published: October 2022

Indwelling pleural catheter (IPC) is widely used in patients with pleural effusion (PE). This meta‐analysis aimed to comprehensively summarize the clinical complication from IPC. We searched four large electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library) for potentially relevant studies and assessed the included studies’ quality using the methodological index for nonrandomized studies’ criteria. Extracted data were used to pool rates, and to conduct subgroup and meta–regression analyses. Forty‐one studies involving a cumulative 4983 patients with 5650 IPCs were included in this meta‐analysis. The overall incidence of IPC complications was 20.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.0–26.3). The top four complications were: overall infection incidence 5.7% (95% CI: 0.7–2.4); overall catheter abnormality incidence 4.4% (95% CI: 2.8–6.3); pain incidence 1.2% (95% CI: 0.4–2.4); and overall loculation incidence 0.9% (95% CI: 0.1–2.1). Subgroup and meta‐regression analyses for overall complications and infections by country, PE site, and PE type demonstrated these factors did not contribute significantly to heterogeneity. Further subgroup analyses for infection of benign PE showed that the overall infection incidence (12.6% [95% CI: 8.1–17.8] vs 0.7% [95% CI: 0.0–4.5]) and empyema incidence (9.1% [95% CI: 5.3–13.8] vs 0.0% [95% CI: 0.0–2.3]) of patients with liver‐related PE were significantly higher than that of patients with heart‐related PE. Our meta‐analysis showed reliable pooled incidences of IPC‐related complications, with infection being the most common. These results serve to remind clinicians about the incidence of IPC‐related complications and emphasize the importance of taking corresponding preventive and therapeutic steps.
The relationship between family functioning and psychotic‐like experiences of college students: Chain multiple mediating effects
Authors: Liu Shuangjin , Hu Yiqiu
Published: October 2022

Aim

To explore the mechanism of the relationship between college students' family functioning and psychotic‐like experiences, a chain multi‐intermediary model is constructed to investigate the multiple mediating effects of interpersonal adaptation, sleep quality and loneliness on college students' family functioning and psychotic‐like experiences.

Methods

Seven hundred seven college students in China were surveyed by using the Family Care Index Questionnaire, Loneliness Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire, College Students' Interpersonal Adaptability Subscale and Community Assessment of Psychiatric Experiences.

Results

(a) The detection rate of psychotic‐like experiences among college students is 72.14%, of which 6.93% reported frequent psychotic‐like experiences; (b) There is a significant correlation between family functioning, sleep quality, loneliness, interpersonal adaptation and psychotic‐like experiences of college students; (c) Interpersonal adaptation, loneliness and sleep quality of college students have chain multiple mediating effect in the relationship between family functioning and psychotic‐like experiences.

Conclusion

The results reveal the mechanism of the relationship between family functioning and psychotic‐like experiences, which helps us to better understand how family functioning affects the occurrence and development of college students' psychotic‐like experiences.
Open habitats increase vulnerability of amphibian tadpoles to climate warming across latitude
Authors: Cheng Chung‐Te , Chuang Ming‐Feng , Haramura Takashi , Cheng Chaun‐Bin , Kim Ye Inn , Borzée Amaël , Wu Chi‐Shiun , Chen Yi‐Huey , Jang Yikweon , Wu Nicholas C. , Kam Yeong‐Choy
Published: October 2022

Aim

Global warming and deforestation are pushing species closer to their physiological limit, especially for species with habitat‐restricted life stages because sunlit areas have higher maximum temperatures. Here, we examined the critical thermal maximum (CTmax), and maximum environmental water temperature (Tmax) of larvae from 29 anuran species across a latitudinal gradient (22–43° N) to test how latitude and habitat type (open or closed‐forest ponds) affected warming tolerance, an index of vulnerability to climate change.

Location

Taiwan, Korea, Japan.

Time period

Present.

Major taxa studied

Anurans.

Results

We showed that open ponds lowered warming tolerance, regardless of latitude and phylogenetic clustering, contrasting the established literature that warming tolerance is lower at tropical latitudes, which only applied to species in forest ponds in this study. Importantly, biophysical models at the local scale suggest that increasing deforestation will exacerbate the effects of climate warming on warming tolerance.

Main conclusions

Local effects of accelerated warming and habitat modification mean that species with range‐restricted life stages will become more vulnerable to anthropogenic change.
Actually existing racial capitalism: Financialisation and bordering in UK housing associations
Authors: Clare Nick , de Noronha Nigel , French Shaun , Goulding Richard
Published: October 2022

This paper provides a critical intervention into recent geographical debates on racial capitalism, interrogating the role that Housing Associations (HAs), the main form of UK social housing, play in its (re)production. Housing Associations are institutional, third‐sector spaces within which novel forms of financialisation and bordering take place. Race is central to these processes, but insufficient critical attention has been afforded to the intersections of class, race, and migratory status in extant research on UK HAs. Moreover, existing research into housing and racial capitalism is provincial in its North American focus, typically examining home ownership and private renting. We argue this is a significant lacuna given that new and multiple forms of racialised exclusion, inequality, and extraction cohere in social housing. There is accordingly a pressing need for a robust interrogation of racial capitalisms through UK HAs, and of the role of HAs via the conceptual lens of racial capitalism. In concluding, the paper argues for a new focus on ‘actually existing’ racial capitalisms, and the need for detailed analyses of the logics and practices of racial capitalisms across a variety of sites and scales, helping debates move beyond their conceptual heartland in North America.
Same‐dayand rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy in people living withHIVin Asia. How far have we come?
Authors: Hung Chien‐Ching , Phanuphak Nittaya , Wong Chen Seong , Olszyna Dariusz Piotr , Kim Tae Hyong
Published: October 2022

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major public health issue, and the effectiveness of HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care varies, particularly in the Asia‐Pacific region. The rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is important to control the HIV epidemic and to optimize the health of people living with HIV; many guidelines now recommend ART initiation within 7 days of HIV diagnosis, with same‐day initiation for people diagnosed with HIV who feel ready. Many countries in the Asia‐Pacific region have already implemented or are moving towards implementation of rapid or same‐day ART initiation. However, there are many obstacles and challenges to its implementation, which vary substantially across the region. This article summarizes the latest evidence on rapid and same‐day ART initiation and discusses lessons learned and barriers to implementation in Asian countries, particularly focusing on Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea.
What does epidemiology tell us about treatment outcomes in endodontics
Authors: Kirkevang Lise‐Lotte
Published: October 2022

Background

Available information on endodontic treatment outcome derives from clinical studies, of which the main part is observational with no randomization and little or no control of confounding factors. Several sources of bias may hamper the interpretation of results from observational studies if the problems are not addressed properly.

Objective

The purpose of this narrative review is to describe and explain the potential benefits of employing epidemiological methodology when designing, conducting and reporting on observational, clinical outcome studies.

Discussion

Epidemiology provides methodology that can be used to reduce the impact of several types of problems related to observational studies. These problems concern, external validity, which describes the generalisability of the study findings, and internal validity, which describe data quality parameters, such as selection bias, information bias and confounding. Furthermore reporting of a study should be systematized, and to that use, several checklists have been developed.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that epidemiological methods are important for conducting and interpretation of findings from clinical, observational studies in endodontology.
Comparison of phenotypic features in patients with single vs multiple primary cutaneous melanomas: a prospective single‐center study
Authors: Farabi Banu , Bostanci Seher , Akay Bengu Nisa , Caliskan Deniz , Atak Mehmet Fatih
Published: October 2022

Background

There is sparse data regarding total body nevus count (TBNC), nevus count in specific locations, phenotypic factors, anthropometric indices, sunburn, and the relation to multiple primary cutaneous melanomas (MPCM) development. We aim to compare these variables in a cohort of patients diagnosed with single primary melanoma (SPM) and MPCM with histologic diagnoses of melanoma in situ, superficial spreading, and nodular melanoma in our clinic.

Methods

Prospective observational studies for the evaluation of nevus counts in biopsy‐proven melanoma patients from 2017 to 2020 at Ankara University were conducted. Age, gender, family history of melanoma, increased sun exposure, nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), height, sunburn history, TBNC, and nevi count in specific anatomical locations were evaluated by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total number of 156 patients consisting of 22 MPCM and 134 SPM were included. Mean TBNC for SPM vs MPCM patients were 96.87 (SD ± 124.71) vs 247.00 (SD ± 261.58), respectively (P < 0.0001). TBNC was correlated to the left arm, trunk, lower extremity, and head and neck nevus counts but not with the right arm nevus count. Multiple regression analysis showed that having more than 10 nevi on the head and neck area is associated with MPCM (OR, 3.882 [95% CI, 1.084–13.899]). TBNC and nevus count in specific locations were found to be significantly higher in MPCM.

Conclusion

The risk of MPCM was associated with having ≥10 nevi on the head and neck.
Longitudinal assessment of brain structure and behaviour in youth with rapid weight gain: Potential contributing causes and consequences
Authors: Adise Shana , Marshall Andrew T. , Hahn Sage , Zhao Shaomin , Kan Eric , Rhee Kyung E. , Herting Megan M. , Sowell Elizabeth R.
Published: October 2022

Objective

Independent of weight status, rapid weight gain has been associated with underlying brain structure variation in regions associated with food intake and impulsivity among pre‐adolescents. Yet, we lack clarity on how developmental maturation coincides with rapid weight gain and weight stability.

Methods

We identified brain predictors of 2‐year rapid weight gain and its longitudinal effects on brain structure and impulsivity in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study®. Youth were categorized as Healthy Weight/Weight Stable (WSHW, n = 527) or Weight Gainers (WG, n = 221, >38lbs); 63% of the WG group were healthy weight at 9‐to‐10‐years‐old.

Results

A fivefold cross‐validated logistic elastic‐net regression revealed that rapid weight gain was associated with structural variation amongst 39 brain features at 9‐to‐10‐years‐old in regions involved with executive functioning, appetitive control and reward sensitivity. Two years later, WG youth showed differences in change over time in several of these regions and performed worse on measures of impulsivity.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that brain structure in pre‐adolescence may predispose some to rapid weight gain and that weight gain itself may alter maturational brain change in regions important for food intake and impulsivity. Behavioural interventions that target inhibitory control may improve trajectories of brain maturation and facilitate healthier behaviours.
TMEM184B promotes proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibits apoptosis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lin Yun , Liu Dayu , Li Xuexin , Ma Yan , Pan Xinliang
Published: October 2022

Several members of the transmembrane protein family are associated with the biological processes of human malignancies; however, the expression pattern and biological function of one family member, TMEM184B, in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) are not fully understood. The expression between HPSCC tumours and adjacent normal tissues was determined by the Immunohistochemistry (IHC). A bioinformatics analysis was performed to verify the expression pattern of TMEM184B in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Furthermore, in vitro assays on cell proliferation, invasion, migration and in vivo experiments on tumour growth and apoptosis of TMEM184B in HPSCC were performed. We found that the HPSCC tissues had a significantly higher expression of TMEM184B than the adjacent normal tissues. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed the different expression of TMEM184B expression in HPSCC. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that TMEM184B promotes HPSCC cell growth, cell invasion and migration in FaDu cells, whereas flow cytometry assay showed that TMEM184B inhibited cell apoptosis. Our study revealed for the first time that TMEM184B might serve an oncogenic function in HPSCC and could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HPSCC.
Mitotic chromosomal abnormalities and DNA polymorphism in the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus, 1758) as a biomarker for water pollution by heavy metals
Authors: Anwar Gehan M. , Abu Shnaf Anwaar S. M.
Published: October 2022

Mitotic chromosomal aberrations and DNA polymorphism (RAPD marker) were carried out on the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus collected from five sites in Minia governorate, Egypt to test their applicability as biomonitors for heavy metal contaminants of water. The diploid chromosome number of O. niloticus population was 2 n = 44. Different types of chromosomal aberrations were recorded (e.g., deletion, ring, centromeric attenuation, end‐to‐end association, dicentric chromosome, stickiness chromosomes, endomitosis, fragments and chromatid gap). The chromosomal aberrations varied between O. niloticus population collected from five sites, and the most common type was ring (R) chromosomes. Samples obtained from Bahr Yousef and Irrigation drain exhibited the highest aberration frequency. The frequency of chromosomal aberration was positively correlated with the concentration of heavy metals where their concentration in the surface water of Irrigation drain and Bahr Yousef exceeded the limits defined by WHO as well as the concentration of Pb in muscles. The RAPD marker was also used to identify genetic variation among Nile tilapia samples collected from five different water sources. It created polymorphic and unique bands that can be used as genetic markers to track DNA variations. The dendrogram also revealed that exposure to heavy metal pollution causes gradual accumulation of variance, whereas areas subjected to environmental stress showed higher genetic variation and clustered together.
Antimicrobial activities of flavedo peel extract and its feasibility in the development of bio‐based pectin coating film for fruit preservation
Authors: Nhi Tran Thi Yen , Phat Dao Tan , Truong Le Dang , Tri Nhut Pham , Long Huynh Bao , Quyen Tran Ngoc , Giang Bach Long
Published: October 2022

The pomelo flavedo extract (PFE) from the pomelo peel (an agricultural waste) is well known with many functional properties. In this study, the incorporation of PFE into the bio‐based polymer (pectin) for the formulation of the coating film was generally developed. The PFE showed a very high inhibitory effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9.22 ± 0.37 mm of inhibition zone diameter), whereas Escherichia coli was found to be resistant to the PFE treatment. The incorporation of varying PFE contents into the pectin film with glycerol as a plasticizer for developing PFE‐Gly‐Pectin composite film and its effect on the film performance was investigated. PFE was found to reduce the swelling degree and increase the solubility of the Gly‐Pectin film as well as increase the flexibility of the resulting film. However, the molecular structure, structural morphology, and contact angle of the Gly‐Pectin film were insignificantly affected by the presence of PFE. The composite film at the PFE:Pectin ratio of 3.4 g/g was selected for the preliminary preservation of jackfruit bulbs which was stored at ambient temperature. As a result, coated jackfruit bulbs appeared to maintain a better quality after 3 days with an alleviated change in weight loss, color parameters, and total soluble solids, whereas the uncoated jackfruits showed signs of spoilage on Day 2 of the storage period. Therefore, the PFE conjugated pectin film suggested potential in the preservation of food materials.
Antifungal action of quaternary ammonium compounds against environmental molds isolated from food industries
Authors: Sola Evelyn Araujo , Bourilhón Priscila , Manzo Ricardo Martín , Frisón Laura Noemí
Published: October 2022

Molds are ubiquitously found microorganisms that are usually present as contaminants in food industrial environments. It has been shown that Cladosporium and Aspergillus genera are two of the most abundant and widely distributed in these locations because they are highly resistant species to sanitizing treatments. Hence, the search of antimicrobial compounds that are effective to these types of fungal contamination becomes relevant. The aim of this report was to evaluate the antifungal capacity of two commercial preparations made both with benzalkonium chloride (a first generation QAC) alone and with the addition of glutaraldehyde at different concentrations and contact times. A suspension‐neutralization test was performed employing spores of five strains of both Aspergillus section Nigri and Cladosporium cladosporioides, all isolated from food industries environments. Results have shown that benzalkonium chloride preparation was successful in destroying Cladosporium spores at 5% (v/v) concentration (average 4D value of 9.1 min) but failed in neutralizing Aspergillus propagules at the same conditions. On the other hand, the commercial mixture made of benzalkonium chloride and glutaraldehyde was effective in the inactivation of all food spoilage fungi spores at 1% (v/v) concentration (average 4D value of 1.8 and 8.8 min for Cladosporium and Aspergillus strains, respectively).
The argument against tilt table testing in the geriatric population
Authors: Bennett Ari J. , Levine Benjamin D.
Published: October 2022

See the response fromGalizia et al. in this issue.
Adequacy of protein and calorie delivery according to the expected calculated targets: a day‐by‐day assessment in critically ill patients undergoing enteral feeding
Authors: Fabiani Adam , Dreas Lorella , Mazzaro Enzo , Trampus Elena , Zanetti Michela , Calabretti Antonella , Gatti Giuseppe , Sanson Gianfranco
Published: October 2022

Background

In critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation for longer than 48–72 h enteral nutrition (EN) should be started early. Because EN alone may be unable to reach the target nutritional requirement, supplemental parenteral nutrition (PN) should be administered. This study aimed at describing the daily rate of administered calories and proteins according to the expected calculated targets. The impact of calorie adequacy, deficit or excess on relevant clinical outcomes was explored.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 217 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, admitted postoperatively in intensive care unit and undergoing EN. The effective intake provided via EN, PN, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) and nonnutritional calories (NNC) was documented for a maximum of 20 days. The administered/required calorie and protein ratios (KcalA/R, ProtA/R) were calculated daily. Patients receiving 80%–100%, <80% or >100% of KcalA/R and ProtA/R were identified. The association between mean KcalA/R between days 4–7 and 30 days’ mortality was explored.

Results

A mean KcalA/R ratio of 92.0 ± 40.6% was ensured between days 4 and 20. During days 4–7 the 80%–100% calorie target was achieved in 26.9% of patients, whereas 44.9% were below and 28.2% over this range. EN contributed 47.1% and PN 41.2% to the total energy intake. An increase in 30‐day mortality risk was documented for patients exceeding 100% of KcalA/R ratio (adjusted‐hazard ratio [HR] 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1
–23.9; p = 0.035).

Conclusions

Despite a preliminary estimate of nutritional requirement, a steady daily optimal 80%–100% KcalA/R was not ensured for all patients. EN contributed only partially to both energy and protein intakes so that PN was largely used to achieve the desired nutritional targets.
Superkurtosis
Authors: DEGIANNAKIS STAVROS , FILIS GEORGE , SIOUROUNIS GRIGORIOS , TRAPANI LORENZO
Published: October 2022

Very little is known on how traditional risk metrics behave under intraday trading. We fill this void by examining the finiteness of the returns' moments and assessing the impact of their infinity in a risk management framework. We show that when intraday trading is considered, assuming finite higher order moments, potential losses are materially larger than what the theory predicts, and they increase exponentially as the trading frequency increases—a phenomenon we call . Hence, the use of the current risk management techniques under intraday trading imposes threats to the stability of financial markets, as capital ratios are severely underestimated.
Micro‐CT analysis reveals the changes in bone mineral density in zebrafish craniofacial skeleton with age
Authors: Liao Wei‐Neng , You May‐Su , Ulhaq Zulvikar Syambani , Li Jui‐Ping , Jiang Yun‐Jin , Chen Jen‐Kun , Tse William Ka Fai
Published: October 2022

Bone has multiple functions in animals, such as supporting the body for mobility. The zebrafish skeleton is composed of craniofacial and axial skeletons. It shares a physiological curvature and consists of a similar number of vertebrae as humans. Bone degeneration and malformations have been widely studied in zebrafish as human disease models. High‐resolution imaging and different bone properties such as density and volume can be obtained using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT). This study aimed to understand the possible changes in the structure and bone mineral density (BMD) of the vertebrae and craniofacial skeleton with age (4, 12 and 24 months post fertilisation [mpf]) in zebrafish. Our data showed that the BMD in the vertebrae and specific craniofacial skeleton (mandibular arch, ceratohyal and ethmoid plate) of 12 and 24 mpf fish were higher than that of the 4 mpf fish. In addition, we found the age‐dependent increase in BMD was not ubiquitously observed in facial bones, and such differences were not correlated with bone type. In summary, such additional information on the craniofacial skeleton could help in understanding bone development throughout the lifespan of zebrafish.