bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxic torts as compensation: Legal geographies of environmental contamination litigation
Authors: Legg Rupert , Prior Jason
Published: January 2023

Residents living in close proximity to contaminated sites may experience adverse effects from financial losses and property devaluation, leading to poor mental health and physical illnesses—effects that may require compensation. The most common legal process of seeking compensation is the toxic tort—litigation pressed on the basis that contamination has harmed the victims. Several recent toxic tort class actions in Australia brought by residents living in areas affected by contamination from per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exemplify that process. Two such actions, those at Williamtown and Richmond, provide an opportunity to explore how toxic torts currently function as a means to secure compensation, whether they mitigate the harms of the contamination and considering how spatio‐legal manoeuvres may shape the litigation. In this article, we use a legal geography approach to analyse how plaintiffs’ bodies, litigants’ properties, and the state are constructed and represented by parties involved in these toxic torts. Legal geographers contend that examining the spatio‐legal manoeuvres made via litigation can make visible the effects of legal action on those involved and draw out how the law and its instruments may shape places and communities. Toxic tort class actions have allowed those affected by the contamination to be heard and receive some compensation. However, we argue that they do little to alleviate plaintiffs’ concerns about the effects of contamination on their health, properties, and the environment. The findings have significance given that torts will likely play an increasingly prominent role in dealing with such challenges.
Overexpression of lipocalin 2 in PBX1‐deficient decidual NK cells promotes inflammation at the maternal‐fetal interface
Authors: An Xue , Qin Jingkun , Hu Xinyu , Zhou Yonggang , Fu Binqing , Wei Haiming
Published: January 2023

Problem

Impairment of PBX1 expression in decidual natural killer (dNK) cells is associated with the pathogenesis of unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion, which results in fetal growth restriction (FGR) by affecting the secretion of downstream growth factors. However, whether other mechanisms limit embryo growth in decidua containing PBX1‐deficient natural killer (NK) cells is unknown.

Method of study

Pbx1f/f; Ncr1Cre mice were employed to explore the underlying mechanisms by which PBX1− NK cells affect embryonic development. To simulate the clinical testing of pregnant women, Doppler ultrasound imaging was used to detect embryo implantation and development. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PBX1− NK cells that may affect normal pregnancy were screened using RNA‐sequencing and real‐time PCR. Immune cell changes caused by DEGs were detected by flow cytometry. Finally, the mechanism of FGR was explored by injecting the protein LCN2, corresponding to the selected DEG, into mice.

Results

We verified the embryonic dysplasia in pregnant Pbx1f/f; Ncr1Cre mice by Doppler ultrasound imaging and found that LCN2 was upregulated in dNK cells. We also observed higher infiltration of neutrophils and macrophages in the decidua of Pbx1f/f; Ncr1Cre mice. Finally, we found an increase in the number and activation of neutrophils at the maternal‐fetal interface after injecting LCN2 into pregnant mice and observed that these mice showed signs of FGR.

Conclusion

Excessive LCN2 secreted by PBX1− dNK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface recruit neutrophils and causes an inflammatory response, which is related to FGR.
Is marijuana a foe of male sexuality? Data from a large cohort of men with sexual dysfunction
Authors: Barbonetti Arcangelo , Rastrelli Giulia , Sparano Clotilde , Castellini Chiara , Vignozzi Linda , Maggi Mario , Corona Giovanni
Published: January 2023

Background

Although it has been assumed that chronic cannabis use may have an unfavorable impact on male sexual function and its metabolic correlates, evidence from clinical studies remains inconclusive.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between cannabis use and sexual behavior, anthropometrics and metabolic/vascular profiles in a large series of men evaluated for sexual dysfunction.

Methods

A total of 4800 men (mean age 50.8 years) attending an andrology outpatient clinic for sexual dysfunction were studied. Sexual symptoms, hormonal, metabolic, and instrumental (penile color Doppler ultrasound, PCDU) parameters were evaluated according to the reported habitual use of recreational substances (no use, 1–2 joints/week, >2 joints/week, and use of illicit drugs other than cannabis).

Results

When compared with non‐users, cannabis users were younger and exhibited a lower prevalence of comorbidities as well as better PCDU parameters, despite reporting higher alcohol and tobacco consumption. After adjustment for confounders, cannabis use was associated with a greater instability in the couple's relationship and a higher frequency of masturbation. In addition, the group smoking >2 joints/week showed a significantly lower body mass index than both controls and users of substances other than cannabis. Men who reported using recreational drugs (either cannabis or other) exhibited significantly lower levels of both total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol than non‐users. At the PCDU, smoking 1–2 joints/week was associated with significantly higher dynamic peak systolic velocity than both non‐drug use and use of >2 joints/week. Prolactin levels were significantly higher in individuals smoking 1–2 joints/week and in those who used substances other than cannabis when compared with controls, whereas no difference in total testosterone levels was observed.

Discussion

In men with sexual dysfunction, mild cannabis consumption may be associated with a more favorable anthropometric and lipid profile and with a better penile arterial vascular response to intracavernous prostaglandin injection.
Police and Politics in Aesthetics‐Based Urban Governance: Redevelopment and Grassroots Struggles in Enninglu, Guangzhou, China
Authors: He Shenjing , Qian Junxi
Published: January 2023

Rancière's theorisation of police, politics, and aesthetics offers an illustrative framework to understand urban (re)developments. While extant works have examined separately the art of governing through aesthetics and the political subjectivities of those having no part in the frame of visibility and intelligibility, this study argues that hegemonic aesthetic regime and bottom‐up aesthetic practices can be mutually constitutive and reside in relationships of co‐existence and mutual negotiation. Drawing on over a decade's investigation in Enninglu, a neighbourhood district in Guangzhou that underwent several rounds of political struggles related to redevelopment and conservation, we reveal how local residents negotiated aesthetic norms enacted by the state. Particular attention is paid to the interactions between the aesthetic regime imposed by the state and grassroots people reclaiming their own aesthetic sensibilities, culminating in a contingent, inconclusive, and “impure” space of politics. Both political subjectivities and aesthetic norms are redefined ongoingly in this process.
Vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms are expressed in the uterus during estrous cycle of golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)
Authors: Kishi Hisashi , Komatsu Wataru , Uchiyama Koji , Takayama Hidehito , Udagawa Tomomi , Ohhira Shuji , Kobashi Gen
Published: January 2023

We investigated VEGF expression in the uterus during the estrous cycle in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction of genes expressed in the uterus revealed the presence of at least three different VEGF isoforms (hamster VEGF188, VEGF164, and VEGF120). They were highly homologous to the respective mouse and human isoforms. Furthermore, VEGF164 and VEGF120 were predominantly expressed in the hamster uterus during the estrous cycle. In situ hybridization revealed that VEGF is expressed only in the luminal and glandular epithelium of the endometrium but not in the stromal cells or myometrium. The positive reaction of luminal and glandular epithelial cells on day 4 of the estrous cycle (day 1 = day of ovulation) was a little stronger than that of other days of the cycle. These findings suggest that VEGF molecules are secreted by endometrial epithelial cells and play an important role in the maintenance of blood vessels in the endometrial stroma. These results also suggest that uterine changes, such as edema, observed from day 4 to day 1 of the estrous cycle, are expected to occur primarily through the action of VEGF secreted by the uterine endometrial epithelium in preparation for subsequent embryo implantation.
What do professional cleaners know about the skin care? A questionnaire‐based study
Authors: Sedeh Farnam Barati , Michaelsdóttir Thórunn Elísabet , Jemec Gregor Borut Ernst , Mortensen Ole Steen , Ibler Kristina Sophie
Published: January 2023

Background

Correct daily skin care is important regarding hand eczema (HE). However, only a few studies have evaluated the level of knowledge among hospital cleaners.

Objective

To examine the level of knowledge regarding skin protective behaviour and risk factors with respect to HE in hospital cleaners.

Methods

All cleaners working in four hospitals in Denmark were invited to participate in the study, which was based on a questionnaire consisting of 22 questions.

Results

142 of 236 cleaners (response rate = 60.1%) were included. The mean of total correct answers were approximately five out of nine questions. 85.6% of participants evaluated themselves to have a low degree of knowledge of skin care and protection. Based on the number of correct answers, 90% were defined as having low knowledge. Being born or raised outside of Denmark was statistically significantly associated with lower level of knowledge. Risk factors for HE such as, work with wet hands, and use of household cleaning products were only recognized as risk factors by less than 50%.

Conclusion

Our study indicates that Danish hospital cleaners have a low degree of knowledge regarding skin care and protection. Cleaning workers born or raised outside of Denmark are in need of special attention.
Factors enabling transplant program participation in the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) Living Donor Collective: A national survey
Authors: Lentine Krista L. , Dew Mary Amanda , Xiao Huiling , Wisniewski Addie , Levan Macey L. , Al Ammary Fawaz , Sharfuddin Asif , Axelrod David A. , Waterman Amy D. , Kasiske Bertram
Published: January 2023

Background

The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) Living Donor Collective (LDC), the first effort to create a lifetime registry for living donor candidates in the United States, requires transplant programs to register donor candidates while the SRTR conducts follow‐up.

Methods

To better understand facilitators and barriers to program participation, we conducted a brief electronic survey of U.S. transplant program staff from October 26, 2021 to December 17, 2021.

Results

We received 132 responses, with at least one response from 87 living donor programs (46 kidney programs, 33 kidney and liver programs, and eight liver programs alone). We found 86% of program representatives strongly agreed or agreed that funding adequate to cover the cost of data collection would facilitate LDC participation, 92% agreed or strongly agreed with importance of electronic data submission options, and 74% reported that elimination of requirements to submit duplicative pre‐operative information to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) would be helpful. Other potentially enabling factors include reduction in duration of OPTN postdonation follow‐up requirements, ease‐of‐use, protection from data use for regulation, adequate data security, and equity in data access.

Conclusion

This survey identifies potential targets to strengthen participation in the effort to create a national living donor registry in the United States. Collaboration and investment to overcome barriers to LDC participation among transplant programs are vital to generate long‐term data on living donation for donor candidates, donors, and patients in need of transplant.
Household consumption patterns and the consumer price index, England, 1260–1869
Authors: Horrell Sara
Published: January 2023

Existing long‐run consumer price indices for England rely on a fixed consumption basket. Here we construct a methodologically improved, chained‐Laspeyres price index for ordinary households based on their changing expenditure patterns between 1260 and 1869. Rather than offering a revisionist perspective on long‐run costs, it confirms the broad accuracy of existing indices for the pre‐industrial period. The dominant dependence of the key items of expenditure on agricultural, particularly arable, prices explains this finding. The industrial period introduced a new dynamic. The shift in household expenditure towards imported groceries and manufactured goods allowed for more substitution in response to relative price and income changes. Adding the current series to those chained‐Laspeyres indices available for later periods provides a CPI for ordinary households in England over nearly eight centuries; from 1260 to the present day.
Before the canon houses. A reform at the domus episcopi of Lucca in the Lombard period
Authors: Stoffella Marco
Published: January 2023

The essay investigates the repercussions of mid‐eighth‐century reforms on the urban clergy of northern Italy. A detailed study reveals that a hitherto unknown reform project was undertaken in Lucca. The evidence comes from the analysis of numerous surviving manuscripts: these yielded some interesting findings that, after an introduction to the state of the field, are discussed in the central part of the article. The final part contains a brief reflection on some canonical collections that allows us to draw out some connections between western Tuscany and Verona and the Po Valley, thus indicating greater concerns with the state of the urban clergy in the Lombard kingdom than was hitherto thought.
Employee reactions to leader emotional display strategies in a crisis situation
Authors: Schmodde Lynn , Wehner Marius Claus
Published: January 2023

During a crisis, leaders experiencing fear have to decide whether to reveal or regulate their emotions. Drawing on the emotions as social information (EASI) model and employing an experimental vignette study (n = 159) in the context of a young firm's crisis, we compare employee reactions (i.e., employee affect, job engagement, and affective commitment) to different leader emotional display strategies, namely, deep acting, surface acting, and genuine emotions. Compared with a leader's genuine emotions (i.e., display of fear), surface acting increased negative affect, whereas deep acting reduced negative affect. With regard to the total effects of our mediation model, surface acting negatively influenced employee job engagement and affective commitment, whereas deep acting surprisingly showed no differences to the display of genuine emotions. Our findings indicate that leaders who experience fear may consider revealing this genuine emotion during a crisis rather than engaging in potentially inauthentic emotion regulation strategies.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis regional progression intervals change according to time of involvement of different body regions
Authors: Manera Umberto , D'Ovidio Fabrizio , Cabras Sara , Torrieri Maria Claudia , Canosa Antonio , Vasta Rosario , Palumbo Francesca , Grassano Maurizio , De Marchi Fabiola , Mazzini Letizia , Mora Gabriele , Moglia Cristina , Calvo Andrea , Chiò Adriano
Published: January 2023

Background and purpose

The prediction of disease course is one of the main targets of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, particularly considering its wide phenotypic heterogeneity. Despite many attempts to classify patients into prognostic categories according to the different spreading patterns at diagnosis, a precise regional progression rate and the time of involvement of each region has yet to be clarified. The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional decline in different body regions according to their time of involvement during disease course.

Methods

In a population‐based dataset of ALS patients, we analysed the functional decline in different body regions according to time and order of regional involvement. We calculated the regional progression intervals (RPIs) between initial involvement and severe functional impairment using the ALS Functional Rating Scale revised (ALSFRS‐r) subscores for the bulbar, upper limb, lower limb and respiratory/thoracic regions. Time‐to‐event analyses, adjusted for age, sex, ALSFRS‐r pre‐slope (ΔALSFRS‐R), cognitive status, and mutational status were performed.

Results

The duration of RPI differed significantly among ALS phenotypes, with the RPI of the first region involved being significantly longer than the RPIs of regions involved later. Cox proportional hazard models showed that in fact a longer time between disease onset and initial regional involvement was related to a reduced duration of the RPI duration in each different body region (bulbar region: hazard ratio [HR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.16, p < 0.001; upper limb region: HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06–1.28, p = 0.002; lower limb region: HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03–1.19, p = 0.009; respiratory/thoracic region: HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.14, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

We found that the progression of functional decline accelerates in regions involved later during disease course. Our findings can be useful in patient management and prognosis prediction.
Chronic pain increases the risk of motoric cognitive risk syndrome at 4 years of follow‐up: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Liang Haixu , Fang Ya
Published: January 2023

Background and purpose

Slower gait speed and subjective cognitive concerns are characteristics of the motoric cognitive risk (MCR) syndrome. This study aimed to examine if changes in pain may be hallmarks of early MCR, through investigating the magnitude of the association of chronic pain and the risk of MCR at 4 years follow‐up.

Methods

In total, 3711 participants without dementia or any mobility disability aged ≥60 years were studied, including 1413 with chronic pain, enrolled in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a prospective cohort study. MCR assessed at wave 1 (2011) and wave 3 (2015) was used as the exposure. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the longitudinal association between chronic pain and MCR after adjusting for individual factors, behaviors/physiology factors and societal factors. Four years later, the incident MCR was evaluated.

Results

After adjusting for individual factors, chronic pain was found to increase the risk of MCR development over time by about 1.5 times (hazard ratio 1.562, 95% confidence interval 1.228–1.986; p < 0.001) and to be linked with incident MCR at baseline (odds ratio 1.397, 95% confidence interval 1.149–1.698; p < 0.001). These associations remained substantial when behaviors/physiology factors and societal factors were taken into account in the analytical models.

Conclusions

The findings of our study imply that incident MCR may be exacerbated by chronic pain. Further exploration is required to find out whether chronic pain is a modifiable risk factor for MCR.
Altitudinal distribution and seasonal life cycle of drosophilid flies (Diptera: Drosophilidae) in central Japan, with reference to their biogeographic features
Authors: Beppu Katsura , Kimura Masahito T.
Published: January 2023

Altitudinal distribution and seasonal life cycle of drosophilid flies (Diptera) were studied on the southwestern slope of Mt. Higashi‐Kagonoto in Tomi and at Ishi‐no‐yu in Shiga Heights, Nagano, central Japan. Collections of flies were carried out from early spring to late autumn using traps baited with fermenting banana. Based on the present results and previous faunal reports from central Japan, major native drosophilid species collected in this study were classified into migratory (5 species), high‐altitude (6), mid‐altitude (14) and low‐altitude (14) species. The migratory species are assumed to perform extensive seasonal migration between low‐ and high‐altitude areas. Among these native species,Drosophila alpina(a high‐altitude species) andD. moriwakii(a mid‐altitude species) are assumed to pass only one generation in a year, while the others pass two or more generations. Five of the six high‐altitude species are assigned as the Palearctic elements, while four of the five migratory species and 12 of the 14 low‐altitude species are assigned as the Sino‐Japanese elements. The mid‐altitude species consist of approximately equal numbers of the Palearctic and Sino‐Japanese elements. Among the high‐altitude species,D. alpinaandHirtodrosophila makinoiare also distributed in high‐altitude areas in Hokkaido, northern Japan. The other high‐altitude species and most of the mid‐altitude species generally occur in low‐altitude areas in Hokkaido or the further north. The Sino‐Japanese elements occurring at high and mid altitudes in central Japan are also distributed at high altitudes in southern and southwestern China.
Mechanisms of chicken processing quality changes during the early postmortem time: the role of the changes in myofibrillar protein
Authors: Ma Yunhao , Wang Ying , Wang Zhaoming , Chen Bo , Xie Yong , Kong Ling , Zhou Hui , Xu Baocai
Published: January 2023

The properties of white meat, such as chicken and fish, changed quickly in the early postmortem period. This study focused on the relationship between myofibrillar protein and the eating quality of chicken in this period. The results showed that the eating quality of chicken, such as texture, water holding capacity and shear force value, decreased in the early postmortem period. The western blot analysis indicated that the desmin and troponin T were degraded significantly with postmortem time. Meanwhile, the myofibril protein degeneration in this period was evaluated by Fourier transform infrared and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. The findings demonstrated that the ordered structure of the myofibrillar protein was destroyed, and its thermal stability was reduced with the prolongation of postmortem time. Subsequently, the transmission electron microscope results suggested that the heating processing could destroy the connection between the weakened Z‐line and the myofilament. Overall, the decline in thermal stability and degradation of myofibrillar may worsen the structural instability of chicken during heating, which may be a significant contributor to the variations of chicken quality in the early postmortem period.
Effect of plasma‐activated water treatment on physicochemical and functional properties of whey protein isolate
Authors: Perinban Sellam , Orsat Valérie , Raghavan Vijaya
Published: January 2023

Plasma‐activated water (PAW) is an emerging nonthermal processing method explored for its food disinfection properties. However, the effect of reactive species in PAW on the food composition has not yet been studied. In this study, a simple protein, whey protein isolate (WPI) was used to understand the effect of PAW reactive species on its physicochemical and functional properties. The results showed mild oxidation of WPI evidenced from the decrease in the sulfhydryl group content and increase in the surface hydrophobicity. Increase in the soluble protein content was observed with PAW 45 min treatment. Foam stability of the PAW‐treated samples increased significantly following PAW treatment. However, no linear change in WPI properties was observed with PAW treatment time. Reduction in the thermal stability of samples was observed in 10 and 50 mg mL−1 concentrations with PAW treatment. The SDS‐PAGE analysis revealed that PAW treatment did not form in‐soluble protein aggregation in WPI samples. FTIR spectrum of the treated WPI samples showed that there were no new functional groups formed by the PAW treatment. Increase in β‐sheet, random coil percentage and reduction in α‐helix percentage was observed in 5 mg mL−1 concentration. The results suggest that the reactive oxygen species in the PAW lead to mild oxidation and unfolding of the WPI samples and improved its foam stability.
Influence of extraction methods on navel orange peel pectin: structural characteristics, antioxidant activity and cytoprotective capacity
Authors: Wang Ting , Tao Yuheng , Lai Chenhuan , Huang Caoxing , Ling Zhe , Yong Qiang
Published: January 2023

To make high‐value utilisation of citrus peel waste, three simple extraction techniques (acidic, alkaline and hydrothermal methods) were used to prepare pectins from navel orange peel. The influence of different methods on the structure and antioxidant capacities of all pectin preparations was investigated and compared. All findings revealed that the yield, degree of esterification, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition and antioxidant activities of all samples were significantly different. Alkali‐extracted pectin exhibited highest yield (22.6%), acid‐extracted pectin belonged to high‐ester pectin and hydrothermal‐extracted pectin had lowest molecular weight (109.2 kDa). Interestingly, due to the superior proportion of side‐chain structure, alkali‐extracted pectin possessed a better ability to scavenge free radicals than other samples. More importantly, alkali‐extracted pectin could protect macrophages from H2O2‐induced oxidative damage by enhancing SOD activity and reducing MDA levels. All results contributed to our knowledge of the association among extraction techniques, structural characteristics and resultant bioactivities for pectic polysaccharides.
Activation of the endogenous acid protease in the head of Litopenaeus vannamei induced by UV‐C irradiation
Authors: Dou Bijing , Wang He , Cao Wenhong , Chen Zhongqin , Zhu Guoping , Zhang Chaohua , Zheng Huina , Lin Haisheng , Gao Jialong
Published: January 2023

Previous studies have found that UV‐C irradiation activated endogenous acid protease (EAP) in shrimp heads. Aiming at understanding the effect of UV‐C irradiation on the activation of EAP and improving the utilisation of EAP, the effect of UV‐C irradiation on the enzymatic properties and conformation of EAP was investigated. The enzymatic properties of EAP were unaltered after UV‐C irradiation, and the optimum pH, temperature, and NaCl concentration were 3, 60°C, and 0.5 mol/L, respectively. Ca2+ and Mg2+ activated the enzyme. The molecular weight of the purified endogenous acid protease (P‐EAP) was 32 kDa. UV–Vis, FTIR, circular dichroism, and fluorescence spectroscopy indicated that the increase in enzyme activity by UV‐C irradiation was related to an increase in tryptophan and hydrogen bonding, implying that it may be the change in the spatial structure of the protein that caused the activation of the enzyme. Results revealed that UV‐C irradiation can be used to activate proteases and provide a reference for enhancing the enzymatic activity of other enzymes from shrimp heads.
An experimental study on the effects of intermittent chilling at different growth stages on rice yield in Northeast China
Authors: Shi Yanying , Wang Lizhi , Jiang Shukun , Guo Erjing , Li Tao , Zhou Litao , Zhang Wenmeng , Ma Haoyu , Guan Kaixin , Li E. , Zhang Tianyi , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: January 2023

In Northeast China, the frequency and intensity of chilling events has been increasing continuously, which places regional rice production at an increasing risk for yield loss. Previous studies have shown that continuous chilling at the tillering, booting and flowering stages could reduce rice grain yield. However, the effects of intermittent chilling at different growth stages on rice yield have rarely been reported. In this study, we conducted a temperature‐controlled experiment on rice plants at the tillering, booting and flowering stages, with both continuous and intermittent chilling treatments at two chilling temperatures and four chilling durations. The results showed that rice grain yield was most affected by chilling at the booting stage, followed by chilling at the flowering stage and least affected by chilling at the tillering stage. For per 1 day increase in chilling duration, the continuous (intermittent) chilling treatment at T1 (11°C/12°C/12°C) at the tillering, booting and flowering stages decreased the grain yield per plant by 1.0%, 6.0% and 2.9% (0.9%, 2.7% and 1.6%), respectively. For per 10°C·day increase in cooling degree days, the continuous (intermittent) chilling treatment at the booting stage decreased the grain yield per plant, spikelet fertility, grain number per spike and thousand grain weight by 10.7%, 7.9%, 5.4% and 1.6% (5.6%, 1.5%, 4.4% and 1.2%), respectively. While the continuous (intermittent) chilling treatment at the flowering stage decreased the grain yield per plant and spikelet fertility by 4.9% and 3.9% (2.8% and 3.2%), respectively. Our study is complementary to the current knowledge gap concerning the mechanism of chilling‐induced yield losses for rice. In particular, the results of this study could be used to (a) modify the chilling effects algorithms in rice models to improve the simulation accuracy in rice yields and (b) target the genetic features to breed new rice varieties with greater cold tolerance.
A framework for selecting data generation strategies in qualitative health research studies
Authors: Jack Susan M. , Orr Elizabeth , Campbell Karen A. , Whitmore Carly , Cammer Allison
Published: January 2023

Background

Qualitative health research has the potential to answer important applied health research questions to inform nutrition and dietetics practice, education and policy. Qualitative health research is a distinct subdiscipline of qualitative inquiry that purposefully draws upon the context of healthcare and emphasises health and wellness.

Methods

Qualitative health research is defined by two parameters: (1) the focus of the study and (2) the methods used. When considering the methods to be used, decisions are required about the type of data to be generated (e.g., transcripts, images and notes) and the process involved in data generation (e.g., interviews, elicitation strategies and observations) to answer the research question(s). Drawing upon examples from nutrition and dietetics literature, this paper provides a framework to support decision‐making for nutrition and dietetics researchers and clinician researchers designing conducting qualitative health research.

Results

The guiding questions of the framework include: What types of data will be generated? Who is involved in data generation? Where will data generation occur? When will data generation occur? How will data be recorded and managed? and How will participants' and researchers' emotional safety be promoted?

Conclusion

Questions about the types of data, those involved, where and when, as well as how safety can be maintained in data generation, not only support a more robust design and description of data generation methods but also keep the person at the centre of the research.
Notch signalling cascade and proinflammatory mediators in peri‐implant lesions with different RANKL/OPG ratios—An observational study
Authors: Djinic Krasavcevic Ana , Nikolic Nadja , Milinkovic Iva , Carkic Jelena , Jezdic Marija , Jankovic Sasha , Aleksic Zoran , Milasin Jelena
Published: January 2023

Background & Objective

Notch signaling pathway has been linked to bone loss in periodontitis and peri‐implantitis. This research aimed to determine the Notch signaling molecules expression levels (Notch1, Notch2, Jagged1, Hes1, and Hey1), along with bone remodeling mediators (RANKL and OPG) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐17, IL‐1β, and IL‐6) in patients with peri‐implant diseases. The aforementioned markers' expression was evaluated in patients with different RANKL/OPG ratios.

Methods

Fifty patients with peri‐implantitis (PI group) and 45 patients with peri‐implant mucositis (PM group) were enrolled. Relative gene expression levels of investigated molecules were determined by reverse transcriptase‐real‐time polymerase chain reaction. On the basis of RANKL/OPG ratio, all peri‐implant lesions were divided into subgroups: RANKL‐predominant (RANKL > OPG) and OPG‐predominant (RANKL < OPG). Clinical periodontal parameters (probing depth‐PD, bleeding on probing‐BOP, clinical attachment level‐CAL and plaque index‐PLI), were recorded for each patient around every tooth, and around placed implants (PDi, BOPi, CALi, PLIi).

Results

RANKL‐predominant PM patients exhibited higher expression levels of Notch2 (p = .044) and Hey1 (p = .005) compared to OPG‐predominant lesions. In all RANKL‐predominant cases, Hey1 (p = .001), IL‐1β (p = .005), IL‐6 (p = .002) were overexpressed in PI comparing to PM, accompanied with significantly higher PDi, CALi and PLIi in PI than PM (p = .001, p = .001 and p = .009).

Conclusions

Notch2 upregulation in RANKL‐predominant PM lesions could be an important contributor to alveolar bone resorption and represent a predictor of PM to PI transition. Similarly, the overexpression of IL‐1β and IL‐6 might provide an osteoclastogenic environment in PI RANKL‐predominant lesions.
Engaging Conflict History and Memory Across the Taiwan Strait: A Longitudinal Analysis of the Conflict Timelines from Interactive Conflict Resolution (ICR) Dialogues
Authors: Arai Tatsushi
Published: January 2023

An analysis of twenty pairs of Taiwanese and mainland Chinese timelines of cross‐Strait relations demonstrates a highly dynamic way in which the two societies' conflict memories have evolved over two decades. These timelines were developed in the context of twenty weeklong Interactive Conflict Resolution (ICR) dialogues that the author facilitated. A cohort of civil society delegates from both sides of the Strait, each with five persons, participated in each of the dialogues and produced the timelines. A longitudinal content analysis of the timelines reveals that the participants' experiences of cross‐Strait relations have continuously altered their mental frames of the conflict. It also reveals distinct patterns of their recollections. These findings challenge the prevailing practices of conflict mapping and analysis that uncritically presume a static nature of conflict parties' goals. Broader implications of the study include the usefulness of action research and applied practice for methodological innovations and theory building.
Mechanisms of paracellular transport of magnesium in intestinal and renal epithelia
Authors: Houillier Pascal , Lievre Loïc , Hureaux Marguerite , Prot‐Bertoye Caroline
Published: January 2023

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant cation in the body. It plays a critical role in many biological processes, including the process of energy release. Paracellular transport of magnesium is mandatory for magnesium homeostasis. In addition to intestinal absorption that occurs in part across the paracellular pathway, magnesium is reabsorbed by the kidney tubule. The bulk of magnesium is reabsorbed through the paracellular pathway in the proximal tubule and the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. The finding that rare genetic diseases due to pathogenic variants in genes encoding specific claudins (CLDNs), proteins located at the tight junction that determine the selectivity and the permeability of the paracellular pathway, led to an awareness of their importance in magnesium homeostasis. Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis is caused by a loss of function of CLDN16 or CLDN19. Pathogenic CLDN10 variants cause HELIX syndrome, which is associated with a severe renal loss of sodium chloride and hypermagnesemia. The present review summarizes the current knowledge of the mechanisms and factors involved in paracellular magnesium permeability. The review also highlights some of the unresolved questions that need to be addressed.
Overweight and obesity prevention for and with adolescents: The “Confronting obesity: Co‐creating policy with youth” (CO‐CREATE) project
Authors: Klepp Knut‐Inge , Helleve Arnfinn , Brinsden Hannah , Bröer Christian , Budin‐Ljøsne Isabelle , Harbron Janetta , Knai Cecile , Lien Nanna , Luszczynska Aleksandra , Nesrallah Samantha , Oldridge‐Turner Kate , Rito Ana , Samdal Oddrun , Savona Natalie , Stensdal Maja K. , Allender Steven , Hoelscher Deanna M. , Rutter Harry
Published: January 2023

The CO‐CREATE project focuses on the need for research on obesity prevention in adolescents to move away from studies of single interventions, toward the investigation of systems‐based research incorporating youth involvement. This paper provides an overview of the project, presenting the objectives, design, and novel methodologies applied, as well as findings to date and anticipated outcomes. Adolescents (16–18 years old) in five European countries participated. Methods applied in the project include monitoring and benchmarking of policies, systematic literature reviews, epidemiological surveillance, linking observed overweight and obesity trends to observed policy landscapes, group model building to identify perceived drivers of obesity, alliance building with adolescents, dialog with stakeholders, and system dynamics modelling to explore the potential impact of policy options. Outcomes include tools for developing policy ideas and investigation of prevention strategies with adolescents, including policy databases, system maps of drivers of obesity, protocols for organizing youth alliances, an intergenerational policy dialog tool, and system dynamic models exploring the impacts of cocreated policy ideas. These outcomes make an important contribution to building a pan‐European infrastructure for designing and evaluating policies and for providing youth with the opportunity to make their voices heard in the development and implementation of obesity prevention measures.
ZccE, a P‐type ATPase contributing to biofilm formation and competitiveness in Streptococcus mutans
Authors: Pan Yangyang , Zou Jing , Zhang Keke , Wang Xiping , Ma Qizhao , Mei Liqin , Li Yuqing , Pan Yihuai
Published: January 2023

Most living organisms require zinc for survival; however, excessive amounts of this trace element can be toxic. Therefore, the frequent fluctuations of salivary zinc, caused by the low physiological level and the frequent introduction of exogenous zinc ions, present a serious challenge for bacteria colonizing the oral cavity. Streptococcus mutans is considered one of the main bacterial pathobiont in dental caries. Here, we verified the role of a P‐type ATPase ZccE as the main zinc‐exporting transporter in S. mutans and delineated the effects of zinc toxification caused by zccE deletion in the physiology of this bacterium. The deletion of the gene zccE severely impaired the ability of S. mutans to grow under high zinc stress conditions. Intracellular metal quantification using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer revealed that the zccE mutant exhibited approximately two times higher zinc accumulation than the wild type when grown in the presence of a subinhibitory zinc concentration. Biofilm formation analysis revealed less single‐strain biofilm formation and competitive weakness in the dual‐species biofilm formed with Streptococcus sanguinis for zccE mutant under high zinc stress. The quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test revealed decreased expressions of gtfB, gtfC, and nlmC in the mutant strain under excessive zinc treatment. Collectively, these findings suggest that ZccE plays an important role in the zinc detoxification of S. mutans and that zinc is a growth‐limiting factor for S. mutans within the dental biofilm.
Immune signatures in cutaneous melanoma correlate with survival independently of immunotherapy treatment
Authors: Johansson Peter A. , Hayward Nicholas K. , Pritchard Antonia L.
Published: January 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have fundamentally improved survival from advanced cutaneous melanoma. Significant efforts have been made to understand the ICI response to identify ways to further improve outcomes. One such approach has been to investigate gene expression associated with response to ICI, which has identified various immune‐related mRNA signatures, including a six‐gene IFN‐γ signature (IFN‐γ6), an expanded immune signature (IFN‐γ18), an effector T‐cell gene signature (Teff), and a Teff‐associated and IFN‐γ‐associated gene signature (Teff + IFN‐γ). Given that these signatures appear to reflect expression from T cells and the level of tumour‐infiltrating immune cells has been associated with survival, we hypothesised that the prognostic value of the signatures is not limited to ICI treatment and investigated if they were associated with survival also in patients who never received ICI. The signatures were not present in melanoma cell lines when compared with tumour samples, confirming that the signatures were likely derived from the samples' non‐tumour (immune) components. We acquired expression and survival data from five melanoma cohorts with a wide range of disease stages, treatments and metrics for survival, and correlated the expression signatures with survival. All four signatures were significantly associated (p < .05) with survival in four of five cohorts, with hazard ratios ranging from 0.69 to 0.92. We conclude that these immune signatures' association with survival is not specific to ICI‐treated patients, but present in a number of settings.
The Political Reputation of Students in Upper Secondary School: Consequences for Their Collective Political Activities Four Years Later
Authors: Stattin Håkan , Russo Silvia
Published: January 2023

This longitudinal study examines the role that students' political reputation in class plays in their future political activities offline together with other people. When aged 16, students were asked to nominate the classmates they considered politically knowledgeable and verbal in class, that is, as having a political reputation. This measure of political reputation was used to predict the participants' political activities offline four years later at age 20 and their attempts to take a stand in public in the national election the same year. The study controlled for individual differences in political interest, self‐perceived political impact in class, the students' political activities at age 16, and also gender and immigrant status. About 300 Swedish students were followed up four years later. Political reputation in class positively predicted future political activities offline, membership of political organizations, and attempts to take a stand in public for a party in the forthcoming national election. At the same time, the role played by political reputation depended upon students' other characteristics, especially their levels of anger and popularity, as observed by classmates. Evidently, the group dynamics in class that give some students a political reputation have long‐term consequences for their future political activities.
Assessing the effect on the public health risk of current and alternative border control of Salmonella Typhimurium and Enteritidis in imported frozen poultry meat in Jordan
Authors: Hantash Tariq , Apenteng Ofosuhene O. , Nauta Maarten , Vigre Håkan
Published: January 2023

The JFDA applies border control for Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis in frozen poultry products. A QMRA model was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of this system in controlling the risk for consumers.

The model consists of three modules; consumer phase, risk estimation, and risk reduction. The model inputs were the occurrence of Salmonella in different types of imported poultry products, the LOD of the Rapid’Salmonella, the number of tested samples of each batch, and the criteria for rejection. The model outputs were public health impact as the Minimum Relative Residual Risk (MRRR) given the batches’ refusal and the percentage of Batches that are Not‐compliant with the Microbiological Criteria (BNMC) of rejection. To estimate the overall MRRR of the border control, the estimated country and product‐specific MRRR were summarized and weighted by the total imports of each product from each country. The current border control based on one sample per batch gives an overall MRRR value of 27%. The alternative scenarios based on three and five samples per batch are 12% and 8%, respectively. Overall, the higher the prevalence and/or concentration of Salmonella in imported products, the more the likelihood that batches will be rejected. For products with up‐to‐date data of occurrence, the estimated BNMC was similar to the observed proportion of rejected batches. The lack of data on the Salmonella concentrations in poultry products from different countries is the major source of the uncertainties in the model. It reduces our opportunities to obtain valid estimates of the absolute risk.
Biospheric values as predictor of climate change risk perception: A multinational investigation
Authors: Martin Christian
Published: January 2023

Climate change is one of the big challenges of our time. A better understanding of how individuals form their evaluation of the risk related to climate change seems to be key to win broad support for climate change mitigation efforts. Extant research indicates that biospheric values (BV) are an important antecedent of individuals’ perception of the risk and consequences related to climate change. However, risk perception scholars have only recently started to study how BV relate to individuals’ climate change risk perception (CCRP) and much is still to be learned about this relationship. The present study contributes to this growing literature by studying the BV–CCRP relationship in a multinational context. The results suggest that the BV – CCRP relationship varies in strength between different countries. These differences can be explained in part by societies’ cultural leanings (i.e., individualism vs. collectivism) and societies’ wealth. The present research adds to our understanding of why individuals in different countries perceive climate change related risk differently and how this perception is shaped differently by biospheric values in different countries. In this way, the findings help to build a more nuanced theory of how CCRP are formed. The presented results also have implications for policymakers and NGOs who wish to increase individuals’ engagement with climate change and its consequences in different populations. In particular, the findings suggests that it might be necessary to use different strategies in different societies to achieve a greater awareness of climate change related risks.
A national risk analysis model (NRAM) for the assessment of COVID‐19 epidemic
Authors: Deng Qing , Xiao Xingyu , Zhu Lin , Cao Xue , Liu Kai , Zhang Hui , Huang Lida , Yu Feng , Jiang Huiling , Liu Yi
Published: January 2023

COVID‐19 has caused a critical health concern and severe economic crisis worldwide. With multiple variants, the epidemic has triggered waves of mass transmission for nearly 3 years. In order to coordinate epidemic control and economic development, it is important to support decision‐making on precautions or prevention measures based on the risk analysis for different countries. This study proposes a national risk analysis model (NRAM) combining Bayesian network (BN) with other methods. The model is built and applied through three steps. (1) The key factors affecting the epidemic spreading are identified to form the nodes of BN. Then, each node can be assigned state values after data collection and analysis. (2) The model (NRAM) will be built through the determination of the structure and parameters of the network based on some integrated methods. (3) The model will be applied to scenario deduction and sensitivity analysis to support decision‐making in the context of COVID‐19. Through the comparison with other models, NRAM shows better performance in the assessment of spreading risk at different countries. Moreover, the model reveals that the higher education level and stricter government measures can achieve better epidemic prevention and control effects. This study provides a new insight into the prevention and control of COVID‐19 at the national level.