bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arginine vasopressin deficiency and conivaptan (a V1a–V2 receptor antagonist) treatment reverses liver damage and fibrosis in rats with chronic portocaval anastomosis
Authors: Navarro‐Gonzalez Yesenia Danyeli , Ventura‐Juarez Javier , Muñoz‐Ortega Martín Humberto , González‐Blas Daniel , Calvillo‐Robedo Argelia , Avila‐Blanco Manuel‐Enrique , Valdez‐Urias Fernando , Quintanar‐Stephano Andrés
Published: March 2023

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a naturally occurring hormone synthesized in the hypothalamus. AVP demonstrates pro‐fibrotic effects as it stimulates hepatic stellate cells to secrete transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and collagen. Previous work in liver cirrhotic (CCL4‐induced) hamsters demonstrated that AVP deficiency induced by neurointermediate pituitary lobectomy (NIL) can restore liver function. Therefore, we hypothesized that liver fibrosis would decrease in portocaval anastomosis (PCA) rats, which model chronic liver diseases, when they are treated with the V1a–V2 AVP receptor antagonist conivaptan (CV). In this study, changes in liver histology and gene expression were analysed in five experimental groups: control, PCA, NIL, PCA + NIL and PCA + CV, with NIL surgery or CV treatment administered 8 weeks after PCA surgery. Body weight gain was assessed on a weekly basis, and serum liver function, liver weight and liver glycogen content were assessed following euthanasia. Most PCA‐induced phenotypes were reverted to normal levels following AVP‐modelled deficiency, though hypoglycemia and ammonium levels remained elevated in the PCA + CV group. Liver histopathological findings showed a significant reversal in collagen content, less fibrosis in the triad and liver septa and increased regenerative nodules. Molecular analyses showed that the expression of fibrogenic genes (TGF‐β and collagen type I) decreased in the PCA + CV group. Our findings strongly suggest that chronic NIL or CV treatment can induce a favourable microenvironment to decrease liver fibrosis and support CV as an alternative treatment for liver fibrosis.
MODELING INTERREGIONAL PATIENT MOBILITY: THEORY AND EVIDENCE FROM SPATIALLY EXPLICIT DATA
Authors: Irlacher Michael , Pennerstorfer Dieter , Renner Anna‐Theresa , Unger Florian
Published: March 2023

This article provides theory and evidence on the spatial determinants of regional patient flows. We develop a theoretical model that explains a patient's choice to consult a general practitioner by a measure of spatial accessibility. We empirically test this gravity‐type model using regional patient flows and detailed data on the spatial distribution of residents and physicians in Austria. Our measure of spatial accessibility is a crucial determinant of patient flows that substantially increases the explanatory power of regular gravity models. Counterfactual simulations show heterogeneous effects of exiting physicians on health‐care accessibility and patient mobility.
Effects of pictorial warnings on parents' purchases and perceptions of sugar‐sweetened beverage categories
Authors: D'Angelo Campos Aline , Taillie Lindsey Smith , Vatavuk‐Serrati Gabriela , Grummon Anna H. , Higgins Isabella C. A. , Hall Marissa G.
Published: March 2023

Background

Sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption remains high among US children. Warning labels on SSBs hold promise for reducing consumption, but their impact may differ by SSB category.

Objectives

This study examined the effects of pictorial warnings on parents' beverage purchases and perceptions across SSB categories.

Methods

Parents of children ages 2–12 (n = 326) visited a convenience store laboratory in North Carolina. Participants were randomly assigned to see SSBs carrying either pictorial warning labels or control labels. Parents purchased a beverage for their child and completed a survey.

Results

Responses from parents in the control arm suggest underlying perceptions of flavoured milk (2.8 on scale ranging from 1 to 5), flavoured water (2.6), and fruit‐flavoured drinks (2.5) as the most healthful SSB categories. Compared to the control, pictorial warnings led to the largest reductions in purchases of fruit drinks (−61%), soda (−36%) and flavoured milk (−32%). Warnings also lowered the perceived healthfulness of flavoured water (d = −0.34), flavoured milk (d = −0.28), sports drinks (d = −0.25), and a reduction in intentions to give one's child sports drinks (d = −0.30), flavoured water (d = −0.24) and sweet tea (d = −0.22, all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Warning labels may have heterogeneous effects across SSB categories. Future research should assess the psychological mechanisms underlying these heterogeneous effects.
Trade union strategies to tackle labour market insecurity: Geography and the role of Sheffield TUC
Authors: Etherington David , Jeffery Bob , Thomas Peter , Jones Martin , Ledger‐Jessop Ben
Published: March 2023

This paper analyses the role of trades councils and trade unions in organising within local and regional contexts around the challenges facing and potential union strategies for addressing the needs of insecure and precarious workers. We deploy a case study on the Sheffield Trade Union Council  and the Sheffield Needs A Pay Rise campaign as a way of exploring innovations and challenges for the trade union movement for organising the unorganised. We explore the potentials as well as limitations of local organising and campaigning around insecurity and marginalisation by trade unions to demonstrate theoretically and empirically within industrial relations research the role of strategic spaces for action by workers and trade unions and the set of institutional, economic, social and cultural resources that workers can draw on in developing their respective strategies.
Multicriteria sorting method based on global and local search for supplier segmentation
Authors: Barrera Felipe , Segura Marina , Maroto Concepción
Published: March 2023

The aim of this research is to develop a robust multicriteria method to classify suppliers into ordered categories and its validation in real contexts. The proposed technique is based on a property of net flows of the PROMETHEE method and uses global and local search concepts, which are common in the optimisation field. The results obtained are compared to those from the most cited sorting algorithm, and an empirical validation and sensitivity analysis is performed using real supplier evaluation data. Furthermore, it does not require additional information from decision‐makers as other sorting algorithms do for assigning incomparable or indifferent alternatives to groups. An extension of the silhouette concept from data mining is also contributed to measure the quality of ordered classes. Both contributions are easy to apply and integrate into decision support systems for automated decisions in the supply chain management. Finally, this practical approach is also useful to classify customers and any type of alternatives or actions into ordered categories, which have an increasing number of real applications.
RETRACTED: Effect of instant surgery compared with traditional management on paediatric complicated acute appendicitis post‐surgery wound: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Cao Xiansheng , Geng Xuejing , Zhang Chunlei , Chen Jun , Zhang Chao , Liu Qi , Wu Tianyu , Li Lei
Published: March 2023

A meta‐analysis study to assess the influence of instant surgery (IS) compared with conservative therapy (CT) on paediatric complicated acute appendicitis (CAA) post‐surgery wounds. A comprehensive literature examination until January 2023 was implemented, and 2098 linked studies were appraised. The picked studies contained 66 674 subjects with paediatric CAA post‐surgery wounds in the picked studies' baseline; 64 643 of them were using IS, and 2031 were using CT. The odds ratio (OR) in addition to 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the consequence of the IS compared with the CT on paediatric CAA post‐surgery wounds using the dichotomous and continuous styles and a fixed or random model. The IS had a significantly higher wound infection (OR, 4.97; 95% CI, 2.35–10.54, P < .001) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 = 57%) compared with the CT in a paediatric CAA post‐surgery wound. However, no significant difference was found between IS and CT in total antibiotic duration (MD, −5.34; 95% CI,−12.67 to −1.98, P = .15) with high heterogeneity (I2 = 95%) in paediatric CAA post‐surgery wounds. The IS had a significantly higher wound infection; however, no significant difference was found in total antibiotic duration compared with the CT in paediatric CAA post‐surgery wounds. Although precautions should be taken when commerce with the consequences because most of the studies picked for this meta‐analysis had low sample sizes.
The effects of carbonaceous inclusions and their distributions on dynamic failure processes in boron carbide ceramics
Authors: Zare Arezoo , Malhotra Pinkesh , Yang Qirong , Christian Kent , Du Jun , Haber Richard A. , Shaeffer Matthew , Ramesh K.T.
Published: March 2023

Commercially available boron carbide ceramics typically have heterogeneous microstructures that contain distributions of processing‐induced inclusions. The inclusions that are rich in carbon (i.e., carbonaceous) govern the underlying mechanisms of brittle fracture through wing crack formation, and thus dictate the mechanical response of the ceramic. In this study, we investigate the dynamic failure of five boron carbide ceramic materials with different inclusion populations. All of the materials were prepared by hot‐pressing; four of these boron carbides contained different sizes and concentrations of carbonaceous inclusions, while one contained no carbonaceous inclusions. The heterogeneity distributions were characterized in some detail for statistical analysis using scanning electron microscopy and quantitative image analysis. A modified compression Kolsky bar setup with in situ ultra‐high‐speed microscopic imaging (10 million frames per second) was then used to study the influence of the inclusion distributions on the dynamic failure processes in these materials, at nominal high strain rates of 102–103 s−1. The in situ ultra‐high‐speed microscopy highlighted the link between micro and macroscale failure processes and demonstrated that the carbonaceous inclusions are indeed the preferential sites for nucleation of wing cracks, as previously hypothesized based on post‐mortem observations. The relative orientation of an inclusion with respect to the compression axis was shown to affect the likelihood that it would participate in crack nucleation. All of the ceramics were also found to have orientation‐dependent peak compressive stress, regardless of the presence of carbonaceous inclusions, suggesting that grain orientation distributions are also important.
Random regression models to estimate genetic parameters for milk yield, fat, and protein contents in Tunisian Holsteins
Authors: Soumri N. , Carabaño Maria J. , González‐Recio O. , Bedhiaf‐Romdhani S.
Published: March 2023

This study aimed to find the parsimonious random regression model (RRM) to evaluate the genetic potential for milk yield (MY), fat content (FC), and protein content (PC) in Tunisian Holstein cows. For this purpose, 551,139; 331,654; and 302,396 test day records for MY, FC, and PC were analysed using various RRMs with different Legendre polynomials (LP) orders on additive genetic (AG) and permanent environmental (PE) effects, and different types of residual variances (RV). The statistical analysis was performed in a Bayesian framework with Gibbs sampling, and the model performances were assessed, mainly, on the predictive ability criteria. The study found that the optimal model for evaluating these traits was an RRM with a third LP order and nine classes of heterogeneous RV. In addition, the study found that heritability estimates for MY, FC, and PC ranged from 0.11 to 0.22, 0.11 to 0.17, and 0.12 to 0.18, respectively, indicating that genetic improvement should be accompanied by improvements in the production environment. The study also suggested that new selection rules could be used to modify lactation curves by exploiting the canonical transformation of the random coefficient covariance (RC) matrix or by using the combination of slopes of individual lactation curves and expected daily breeding values.
Reductions in systolic blood pressure achieved by hypertensives with three isometric training sessions per week are maintained with a single session per week
Authors: Cohen Daniel D , Aroca‐Martinez Gustavo , Carreño‐Robayo Javier , Castañeda‐Hernández Alvaro , Herazo‐Beltran Yaneth , Camacho Paul A , Otero Johanna , Martinez‐Bello Daniel , Lopez‐Lopez Jose P , Lopez‐Jaramillo Patricio
Published: March 2023

Isometric handgrip or (wall) squat exercise performed three times per week produces reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP) in adults with hypertension. We aimed to compare these interventions and the potential to retain benefits with one exercise session per week. We compared blood pressure changes following handgrip and squat isometric training interventions with controls in a randomized controlled multicentre trial in 77 unmedicated hypertensive (SBP ≥ 130 mmHg) adults. Exercise sessions were performed in the workplace and consisted of four repetitions—three sessions per week for the first 12 weeks (phase 1), and one session per week for the subsequent 12 weeks (phase 2). Office blood pressure (BP) was measured at baseline, post‐phase 1 and post‐phase 2. Post‐phase 1, mean reductions in SBP were significantly greater in handgrip (–11.2 mmHg, n = 28) and squat (–12.9 mmHg, n = 27) groups than in controls (–.4 mmHg; n = 22) but changes in DBP were not. There were no significant within‐group changes during phase 2 but SBP was 3.8 mmHg lower in the wall squat than the handgrip group—a small magnitude but clinically important difference. While both interventions produced significant SBP reductions, the wall squat appears to be more effective in maintaining benefits with a minimal training dose. The low time investment to achieve and retain clinically significant SBP reductions—42 and 12 min, respectively—and minimal cost, particularly of the wall squat, make it a promising intervention for delivery in public health settings.
Nocturnal hypoglycemia is underdiagnosed in older people with insulin‐treated type 2 diabetes: The HYPOAGE observational study
Authors: Boureau Anne‐Sophie , Guyomarch Béatrice , Gourdy Pierre , Allix Ingrid , Annweiler Cédric , Cervantes Nathalie , Chapelet Guillaume , Delabrière Isabelle , Guyonnet Sophie , Litke Rachel , Paccalin Marc , Penfornis Alfred , Saulnier Pierre‐Jean , Wargny Matthieu , Hadjadj Samy , de Decker Laure , Cariou Bertrand
Published: March 2023

Background

There is a lack of real‐life data regarding the frequency and predictive factors of hypoglycemia in older patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to determine the frequency and predictors of hypoglycemia in older patients with insulin‐treated T2D.

Methods

This prospective multicenter study included 155 insulin‐treated T2D patients aged 75 years and older with ≥2 self‐monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) daily controls. Participants underwent a geriatric and diabetic assessment and received ambulatory blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for 28 consecutive days with FreeStyle Libre Pro® sensor. Study population (n = 141) has >70% CGM active time. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with SMBG confirmed hypoglycemia (≥70 mg/dL) and with nocturnal level 2 time below range (glucose concentration <54 mg/dL during ≥15 consecutive min between 0.00 and 6.00 am).

Results

The mean age of the 141 analyzed patients was 81.5 ± 5.3 years and 56.7% were male. The mean baseline HbA1c was 7.9% ± 1.0%. After geriatric assessment, 102 participants (72.3%) were considered as complex and 39 (27.7%) as healthy. The primary endpoint (confirmed SMBG <70 mg/dL) occurred in 37.6% patients. In multivariable analysis, the risk of SMBG‐confirmed hypoglycemia was positively associated with a longer duration of diabetes (OR (+1 year) =1.04, (1.00–1.08), p = 0.04) and glycemic variability assessed by CGM (CV %) (OR (+1%) = 1.12, [1.05–1.19], p = <0.001). Nighty‐two patients (65.2%) experienced nocturnal time in hypoglycemia (i.e., <54 mg/dL during ≥15 consecutive min between midnight and 6 a.m.). In multivariable analyses, cognitive impairment (OR: 9.31 [2.59–33.4]), heart failure (OR: 4.81 [1;48–15.6]), and depressive disorder (OR: 0.19 [0.06–0.53]) were associated with nocturnal time in hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is very common and largely underdiagnosed in older patients with insulin‐treated T2D. CGM is a promising tool to better identify hypoglycemia and adapt diabetes management in this population.
The kinase OsSK41/OsGSK5 negatively regulates amylose content in rice endosperm by affecting the interaction between OsEBP89 and OsBP5
Authors: Hu Zejun , Niu Fuan , Yan Peiwen , Wang Kai , Zhang Lixia , Yan Ying , Zhu Yu , Dong Shiqing , Ma Fuying , Lan Dengyong , Liu Siwen , Xin Xiaoyun , Wang Ying , Yang Jinshui , Cao Liming , Wu Shujun , Luo Xiaojin
Published: March 2023

Amylose content (AC) is the main factor determining the palatability, viscosity, transparency, and digestibility of rice (Oryza sativa) grains. AC in rice grains is mainly controlled by different alleles of the Waxy (Wx) gene. The AP2/EREBP transcription factor OsEBP89 interacts with the MYC‐like protein OsBP5 to synergistically regulate the expression of Wx. Here, we determined that the GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 5 (OsGSK5, also named SHAGGY‐like kinase 41 [OsSK41]) inhibits the transcriptional activation activity of OsEBP89 in rice grains during amylose biosynthesis. The loss of OsSK41 function enhanced Wx expression and increased AC in rice grains. By contrast, the loss of function of OsEBP89 reduced Wx expression and decreased AC in rice grains. OsSK41 interacts with OsEBP89 and phosphorylates four of its sites (Thr‐28, Thr‐30, Ser‐238, and Thr‐257), which makes OsEBP89 unstable and attenuates its interaction with OsBP5. Wx promoter activity was relatively weak when regulated by the phosphomimic variant OsEBP89E–OsBP5 but relatively strong when regulated by the nonphosphorylatable variant OsEBP89A–OsBP5. Therefore, OsSK41‐mediated phosphorylation of OsEBP89 represents an additional layer of complexity in the regulation of amylose biosynthesis during rice grain development. In addition, our findings provide four possible sites for regulating rice grain AC via precise gene editing.
CD68+ and CD8+ immune cells are associated with the growth pattern of somatotroph tumors and response to first generation somatostatin analogs
Authors: Chiloiro Sabrina , Giampietro Antonella , Gessi Marco , Lauretti Liverana , Mattogno Pier Paolo , Cerroni Lorenzo , Carlino Angela , De Alessandris Quintino Giorgio , Olivi Alessandro , Rindi Guido , Pontecorvi Alfredo , De Marinis Laura , Doglietto Francesco , Bianchi Antonio
Published: March 2023

Somatotropinomas are pituitary tumors with a heterogenous clinical behavior. The tumor microenvironment regulates the interaction between tumor cells and the host immune system, potentially modulating tumor behavior. Here, we aimed to investigate the tumor immune infiltration in a cohort of medically naïve acromegaly patients. A retrospective, monocenter study was designed to analyze the presence of CD3+, CD20+, CD138+, CD4+, CD8+, CD68+ immune cells in samples of somatotropinomas and their prognostic significance on tumor behavior and response to first generation somatostatin analogs (fg‐SSA). Thirty‐six patients (23 females) were included in the study. Macroadenomas were identified in 23 cases: 12 with cavernous sinus invasion. The number of CD8+ lymphocytes positively correlated with CD4+ lymphocytes (p = .05, r:0.245) and with CD68+ macrophages (p = .01, r = 0.291). The CD8+/CD4+ ratio inversely correlated with CD68+/CD8+ ratio (p < .001, r = −0.626). CD68+ macrophages positively correlated with tumor size (maximum diameter p = .003, r = 0.574; volume p = .009, r = 0.566) and were more numerous in somatotropinomas with Ki‐67 > 3% (median 65/HPF, IQR:15), compared to cases with Ki67 < 3% (median 50/HPF, IQR:22, p < .001). CD8+ and CD138+ lymphocytes were more numerous in cases responsive to fg‐SSA (respectively median 18/HPF IQR:18 and median 8/HPF IQR: 6.5) as compared to fg‐SSA nonresponsive cases (median 14.5/HPF IQR:40 p = .03; median 3.5/HPF IQR: 14 p = .03). CD8+ lymphocytes act as single predictor of response to fg‐SSA, independently from age, GH and IGF‐I levels, tumor dimension and invasion. Our results support that lymphocytes and macrophages generate an immune network in somatotropinomas and the characteristic of the immune infiltrate may predict treatment outcome.
Charcot–Marie–Toothneuropathies: Current gene therapy advances and the route toward translation
Authors: Stavrou Marina , Kagiava Alexia , Sargiannidou Irene , Georgiou Elena , Kleopa Kleopas A.
Published: March 2023

Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) neuropathies are a group of genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disorders that predominantly affect the peripheral nervous system. Unraveling the genetic and molecular mechanisms, as well as the cellular effects of CMT mutations, has facilitated the development of promising gene therapy approaches. Proposed gene therapy treatments for CMTs include virally or non‐virally mediated gene replacement, addition, silencing, modification, and editing of genetic material. For most CMT neuropathies, gene‐ and disease‐ and even mutation‐specific therapy approaches targeting the neuronal axon or myelinating Schwann cells may be needed, due to the diversity of underlying cellular and molecular‐genetic mechanisms. The efficiency of gene therapies to improve the disease phenotype has been tested mostlyin vitroandin vivorodent models that reproduce different molecular and pathological aspects of CMT neuropathies. In the next stage, bigger animal models, in particular non‐human primates, provide important insights into the translatability of the proposed administration and dosing, demonstrating scale‐up potential and safety. The path toward clinical trials is faced with further challenges but is becoming increasingly feasible owing to the progress and knowledge gained from clinical applications of gene therapies for other neurological disorders, as well as the emergence of sensitive outcome measures and biomarkers in patients with CMT neuropathies.
Healthcare providers screening for childhood abuse among adult patients in Saudi Arabia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Alhowaymel Fahad M. , Alzahrani Naif S. , Alharbi Hanan F. , Almarwani Abdulaziz M.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Childhood abuse could potentially cause negative health consequences later in life, where they influence individuals' physiological, psychological, and behavioral health. Screening for ACEs is not widely incorporated during routine primary healthcare. The information about past childhood abuse screening among adult patients is elusive. The aim of the study was to investigate healthcare providers (HCPs) practices, skills, attitudes, and perceived barriers related to past childhood abuse screening among adult patients in Saudi Arabia.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Data were collected from healthcare facilities in the Riyadh and Madinah regions of Saudi Arabia using a self‐reported questionnaire.

Results

A total of 126 HCPs completed the survey. Less than one‐third of the HCPs reported routinely (usually or always) screening for childhood abuse. HCPs were more concerned that they would offend their patients by examining history of adversities. HCP practice location, the extent to which they think it is part of their responsibilities to screen for history of adversities, and their self‐reported of adverse childhood experiences were significantly associated with screening practices for childhood abuse. Four perceived barriers were significantly associated with HCP screening.

Conclusion

Screening for past adversities is vital for identifying childhood trauma among the public; therefore, we might participate in reducing childhood trauma and further controlling consequences in the future. Developing a screening form for childhood abuse or adversities and providing this form in healthcare settings are appropriate at this stage.

Clinical Relevance

Early screening for ACEs is recommended, which prioritizes health promotion and disease prevention. It is highly needed to increase HCP awareness toward childhood abuse, screening for it, and reflection on it.
Placental pathology of preeclampsia from a clinical point of view: Correlation between placental histopathology, clinical signs of preeclampsia and neonatal outcome
Authors: Dankó István , Tankó András , Kelemen Edit , Cserni Gábor
Published: March 2023

Aim

To evaluate the associations between placental histopathology (signs of maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion, delayed villous maturation, villitis of unknown etiology) and subtypes of preeclampsia by onset, clinical aspects of the disease and neonatal outcome.

Methods

Placental slides from preeclamptic pregnancies were retrospectively reviewed according to a uniform scheme. Information regarding obstetrical anamnesis, clinical data and perinatal outcome was collected from charts, and statistical analysis was performed in order to demonstrate associations between microscopic placental alterations and different aspects of preeclampsia.

Results

A total of 49 cases were studied. Diffuse signs of maternal vascular malperfusion and avascular villi were more common in early‐onset‐preeclampsia associated with worse prognosis. Preeclampsia with fetal growth restriction had more often diffuse signs of maternal and fetal vascular malperfusion and villitis of unknown etiology. Recurring preeclampsia was associated with more common perivasculitis. Umbilical and uterine artery Doppler indices were associated with medial hypertrophy and/or acute atherosis of maternal decidual vessels. Large foci of avascular villi correlated with extent of maternal 24‐h‐proteinuria which itself correlated with outcome of preeclampsia. Rate of capillarisation of villi was significantly lower in case of hypertension requiring a three‐drug combination of antihypertensive medications versus hypertension treated with one or two drugs, preeclampsia with growth restriction, and stillbirth versus live birth.

Conclusions

Early‐ versus late‐onset‐preeclampsia showed a markedly different profile of histopathological features and perinatal outcome, reflecting their distinguished pathogenesis and prognosis; preeclampsia complicated with fetal growth restriction also had distinctive features. Qualitative and quantitative changes define placental pathology of preeclampsia.
Symptomatic subgemmal neurogenous plaque in patients with COVID‐19: Is there an association?
Authors: Soares Ciro Dantas , de Souza Lucas Lacerda , Laffitte Caroline Medeiros , Pontes Hélder Antônio Rebelo , de Almeida Oslei Paes , Mosqueda‐Taylor Adalberto , Hernandez‐Guerrero Juan Carlos , Vargas Pablo Agustin , Lopes Márcio Ajudarte , dos Santos‐Silva Alan Roger , da Costa Gurgel Alberto , de Andrade Pacheco Maíra Medeiros , de Oliveira Sales Alexandre , de Oliveira Ramos Carlos Cesar
Published: March 2023

Background

Subgemmal neurogenous plaques (SNP) are composed of neural structures found in the posterolateral portion of the tongue, rarely biopsied as most of them are asymptomatic or eventually only clinically managed. We aimed to investigate a case series of possible correlation of symptomatic subgemmal neurogenous plaque (SNP) with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19).

Methods

Eleven formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded cases from patients with previous confirmed COVID‐19 (by RT‐PCR) were retrieved from two pathology files. Histological sections were morphologically studied, and then submitted to immunohistochemical reactions against S‐100 and neurofilament proteins, neuron‐specific enolase, Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), synaptophysin, CD56, Ki67, cytokeratins (7, 8–18, 19, 20), nucleocapsid and spike proteins (SARS‐CoV‐1; and ‐2) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) antibodies. Clinical data were retrieved from the patients' medical files, including the symptoms and the complete history of the progression of the disease.

Results

The patients who had COVID‐19 included in this study experienced painful lesions in the tongue that corresponded to prominent or altered SNP. Microscopically, neural structures were positive for S‐100, GFAP and neurofilament protein. And the cellular proliferative index (by Ki‐67) was very low.

Conclusion

Thus, based on the current results, we hypothesize that symptomatic SNP may be a late manifestation of COVID‐19 infection.
Schoolwork effort and emotions predict self‐control in a weekly diary study
Authors: Wu Yao , Ng‐Knight Terry , Tenenbaum Harriet R.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Self‐control supports many positive life outcomes. However, the processes underlying the development of self‐control are not well understood. Drawing on the TESSERA model of personality development, we examined whether weekly schoolwork effort predicts self‐control (in the subsequent week). We also examined the role of schoolwork emotions and whether these emotions moderated the impact of schoolwork effort on self‐control based on predictions from the TESSERA model.

Methods

Data are from a weekly diary study (N = 98) that measured children's schoolwork effort, schoolwork emotions, and self‐control during five consecutive weeks. Data were analyzed at the between‐ and within‐person levels using multilevel models.

Results

Between‐person results show that schoolwork effort is related to variations in children's self‐control. Furthermore, some emotions moderated the influence of schoolwork effort on self‐control at the between‐ and within‐person levels.

Conclusion

In line with the TESSERA model of personality development, positive state expressions of effort during schoolwork (e.g., putting in effort) predicted higher self‐control in the subsequent week. However, this finding was dependent on the reactions and reinforcement children felt about their effort (e.g., emotional responses to their remote schoolwork). The discussion examines how these findings extend to previous literature.
A survey ofDinophysisspp. and their potential to cause diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in coastal waters of the United States
Authors: Ayache Nour , Bill Brian D. , Brosnahan Michael L. , Campbell Lisa , Deeds Jonathan R. , Fiorendino James M. , Gobler Christopher J. , Handy Sara M. , Harrington Neil , Kulis David M. , McCarron Pearse , Miles Christopher O. , Moore Stephanie K. , Nagai Satoshi , Trainer Vera L. , Wolny Jennifer L. , Young Craig S. , Smith Juliette L.
Published: March 2023

Multiple species of the genusDinophysisproduce diarrhetic shellfish toxins (okadaic acid andDinophysistoxins,OA/DTXsanalogs) and/or pectenotoxins (PTXs). Only since 2008 haveDSPevents (illnesses and/or shellfish harvesting closures) become recognized as a threat to human health in theUnited States. This study characterized 20 strains representing five species ofDinophysisspp. isolated from threeUScoastal regions that have experiencedDSPevents: the Northeast/Mid‐Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. Using a combination of morphometric andDNA‐based evidence, seven Northeast/Mid‐Atlanticisolates and four Pacific Northwest isolates were classified asD. acuminata, a total of four isolates from two coasts were classified asD. norvegica, two isolates from the Pacific Northwest coast were identified asD. fortii,and three isolates from the Gulf of Mexico were identified asD. ovumandD. caudata. Toxin profiles ofD. acuminataandD. norvegicavaried by their geographical origin within theUnited States. Cross‐regional comparison of toxin profiles was not possible with the other three species; however, within each region, distinct species‐conserved profiles for isolates ofD. fortii,D. ovum, andD. caudatawere observed. Historical and recent data from various State and Tribal monitoring programs were compiled and compared, including maximum recorded cell abundances ofDinophysisspp., maximum concentrations ofOA/DTXsrecorded in commercial shellfish species, and durations of harvesting closures, to provide perspective regarding potential forDSPimpacts to regional public health and shellfish industry.
Marine heatwaves and decreased light availability interact to erode the ecophysiological performance of habitat‐forming kelp species
Authors: Bass Alissa V. , Smith Kathryn E. , Smale Dan A.
Published: March 2023

Coastal marine ecosystems are threatened by a range of anthropogenic stressors, operating at global, local, and temporal scales. We investigated the impact of marine heatwaves (MHWs) combined with decreased light availability over two seasons on the ecophysiological responses of three kelp species (Laminaria digitata, L. hyperborea, and L. ochroleuca). These species function as important habitat‐forming foundation organisms in the northeast Atlantic and have distinct but overlapping latitudinal distributions and thermal niches. Under low‐light conditions, summertime MHWs induced significant declines in biomass, blade surface area, and Fv/Fm values (a measure of photosynthetic efficiency) in the cool‐water kelps L. digitata and L. hyperborea, albeit to varying degrees. Under high‐light conditions, all species were largely resistant to simulated MHW activity. In springtime, MHWs had minimal impacts and in some cases promoted kelp performance, while reduced light availability resulted in lower growth rates. While some species were negatively affected by summer MHWs under low‐light conditions (particularly L. digitata), they were generally resilient to MHWs under high‐light conditions. As such, maintaining good environmental quality and water clarity may increase resilience of populations to summertime MHWs. Our study informs predictions of how habitat‐forming foundation kelp species will be affected by interacting, concurrent stressors, typical of compound events that are intensifying under anthropogenic climate change.
Bronchoscopic findings in dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies: 84 cases (2010‐2020)
Authors: Flageollet J. , Poujol L. , Jolivet F. , Baudin Trehiou C. , Lafuma F. , Bernardin F.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To describe endoscopic findings, foreign body location, success rate of removal and complications in dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies.

Materials and Methods

The current study retrospectively evaluated the case records of dogs diagnosed with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies at a veterinary hospital centre between January 2010 and April 2020. Information retrieved included breed, sex, age, bodyweight, the season of presentation, presentation and duration of clinical signs, previous removal attempts performed by the referring veterinarian, foreign body location and endoscopic and imaging findings.

Results

Eighty‐four cases were included. Fifty‐nine dogs (70%) presented during spring and summer. Cough (77 of 84; 92%) and fever (15 of 84; 18%) were the main clinical signs. One to 10 bronchial vegetal foreign bodies were removed from each dog. Purulent exudate was observed in the ventral larynx, trachea and bronchi in 49 (65%), 61 (81%) and 71 (95%) dogs, respectively. In most cases, only the barbules of the vegetal foreign bodies were initially observed during endoscopy. The presence of large bronchial nodules or an irregular mucosal surface was a frequent finding (62 of 75; 83%). Mild bleeding was the main complication (58 of 75; 77%) of endoscopic removal, which was successful in 67 of the 84 (80%) cases.

Clinical Significance

Mucosal nodules associated with purulent material within the airways are frequent endoscopic findings in dogs with bronchial vegetal foreign bodies. Bronchoscopy is a relatively safe and useful technique for diagnosis and treatment of bronchial vegetal foreign bodies in dogs.
The Trauma of Medical Training in Two Webcomics: A Call for Multimodal Citation
Authors: Hamdy Sherine
Published: March 2023

Medical anthropologists have long wrestled with the problematic mind/body opposition that plagues both biomedicine and Euro‐American epistemologies. However, medical anthropology as a field has been surprisingly reticent to engage with visual media forms and creative expression, whether film, comics, or animation, even as these media have been shown to augment the bodily and emotional impact on the viewers as compared to solely text‐based media. This essay is an attempt to rethink how medical anthropologists can engage more with visual media, taking as an example two comic memoirs created by physicians about their medical training: “Healing Alone” (2019) and “Dailies of a Junior Doc” (2021). These webcomics effectively convey strong emotional and bodily experiences tied to medical education, and are powerful examples of how comics can be leveraged to reexamine assumptions about who can be doctors, how medical training molds them, and what sustains their practice. [medical training, webcomics, visual media, Cartesianism]
Multidimensional components of (state) mathematics anxiety: Behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and psychophysiological consequences
Authors: Mammarella Irene C. , Caviola Sara , Rossi Serena , Patron Elisabetta , Palomba Daniela
Published: March 2023

The present study aimed to analyze the different components of state mathematics anxiety that students experienced while solving calculation problems by manipulating their stress levels. A computerized mathematical task was administered to 165 fifth‐graders randomly assigned to three different groups: positive, negative, and control conditions, in which positive, negative, or no feedback during the task was given, respectively. Behavioral (task performance), emotional (negative feelings), cognitive (worrisome thoughts and perceived competence), and psychophysiological responses (skin conductance and vagal withdrawal) were analyzed. Behavioral responses did not differ in the positive and negative conditions, while the latter was associated with children's reportedly negative emotional states, worries, and perceived lack of competence. The stress induced in the negative condition led to an increase in skin conductance and cardiac vagal withdrawal in children. Our data suggest the importance of considering students’ interpretation of mathematics‐related experiences, which might affect their emotional, cognitive, and psychophysiological responses.
Salivary and serum levels of neutrophil proteases in periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yilmaz Dogukan , Niskanen Katariina , Gonullu Emel , Tervahartiala Taina , Gürsoy Ulvi Kahraman , Sorsa Timo
Published: March 2023

Objective

The aim was to profile serum and salivary levels of active‐matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP)‐8, tissue inhibitor MMP (TIMP)‐1, aMMP‐8/TIMP‐1 ratio, total MMP (tMMP)‐9, tMMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) in periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Materials and Methods

Rheumatoid arthritis patients with periodontitis (RA + P, n = 26), periodontally healthy RA patients (RA, n = 23), systemically healthy periodontitis patients (P, n = 24), and controls (C, n = 24) were included. aMMP‐8 levels were determined by a time‐resolved immunofluorescence assay (IFMA), TIMP‐1, tMMP‐9, MPO, and HNE levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assays.

Results

Higher salivary aMMP‐8 (p < 0.001), aMMP‐8/TIMP‐1 ratio (p = 0.043), tMMP‐9 (p = 0.011), tMMP‐9/TIMP‐1 ratio (p = 0.022), MPO (p = 0.026) and HNE (p < 0.001) levels were detected in P relative to the controls. Salivary TIMP‐1 was increased in RA patients regardless of periodontal status (RA + P vs. P: p = 0.038; RA vs. C: p = 0.020). Serum neutrophil proteases were increased in RA groups (RA + P, RA) compared to systemically healthy groups (P, C) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Serum levels of neutrophil proteases were increased in RA study groups; however rheumatologic status seemingly does not affect salivary levels of these proteins.
DEVELOPMENTS IN EQUID HARNESSING AND DRAUGHT IN THE ROMAN EMPIRE AND HAN CHINA: INDEPENDENT OR INTERCONNECTED?
Authors: Brownrigg Gail , Crouwel Joost , Linduff Katheryn
Published: March 2023

The interconnectedness of the ancient European, Eurasian and Chinese worlds is not doubted, but just what was exchanged and how the transmission of ideas took place is a question very much under investigation. This paper examines peculiarities of equid harnessing and draught across this vast area as a case in point to consider such issues as diffusion and independent invention, especially in relation to the emergence of single draught vehicles.
Noninvasive respiratory support following extubation in preterm infants
Authors: Uchiyama Atsushi , Ochiai Shigeki , Murayama Yoshifumi
Published: March 2023

The use of noninvasive respiratory support is widespread in newborn infants with respiratory distress. As the use of noninvasive respiratory support has increased, so too have the number of modes available. Among these modes, low‐flow nasal cannula and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) have been used for a long time and have known efficacy and safety in newborn infants needing respiratory support. High‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been newly introduced, and its efficacy and safety are currently being investigated. Bilevel nasal continuous positive airway pressure and nasal intermittent positive‐pressure ventilation are often used when NCPAP or HFNC therapy fails. More recently, noninvasive neurally adjusted ventilatory assist and noninvasive high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation have been introduced, and their efficacy and safety are currently under evaluation. Comparison of the efficacy and safety among various modes of noninvasive respiratory support after extubation in preterm infants is helping to clarify the position of each mode. The clarification of the strength and characteristics of each device within the same mode will become important as a future direction of noninvasive respiratory support after extubation in such subjects. However, no research has yet reported on long‐term outcomes in preterm infants receiving noninvasive respiratory support after extubation. Therefore, further research is needed to evaluate the long‐term outcomes.
A semantic segmentation method for vehicle‐borne laser scanning point clouds in motorway scenes
Authors: Chen Min , Zhou Chengyu , Lv Qi , Zhu Qing , Xu Bo , Hu Han , Ding Yulin , Ge Xuming , Chen Jie , Guo Xiaocui
Published: March 2023

Vehicle‐borne laser scanning (VLS) point cloud semantic segmentation is one of the fundamental issues in motorway target extraction. In this study, a uniform sampling‐based neural network (NN) is constructed based on the popular RandLA‐Net. The uniform sampling can ensure high efficiency and stable spatial coverage. In the proposed NN, a local extra feature encoding structure is designed, and it is combined with local geometric spatial encoding and attention mechanisms to enhance the distinctiveness of depth features and improve the geometric detail preservation ability of the network. The VLS point cloud dataset of motorway scenes collected in this study is labelled for network training and evaluation. Experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed network over the state‐of‐the‐art networks, attaining the highest intersection‐over‐union (IoU) on the majority of categories and a 4.39% improvement in mean IoU on all categories. For the pole‐shaped targets, the improvement in IoU is 9.08% relative to those of the compared methods. The labelled VLS point cloud dataset generated in this work will be made publicly available.
The role of top management meetings in enhancing product innovation and performance
Authors: Prokop Viktor , Hajek Petr
Published: March 2023

Top management meetings enable the positive flow of knowledge and building of key relationships within the company and its suppliers. This study draws on open innovation and upper echelons theories to analyze the effects of top management meetings on open innovation instruments, product innovation and sales performance. We use partial least squares structural equation modeling and fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis to perform the path analysis of the hypothesized effects of top management meetings using data of 1,523 firms across 11 European countries. The results support the hypotheses that declare that top management meetings with suppliers positively influence product innovation while the effects of top management team meetings on product innovation remain negative. Surprisingly, the hypothesis that top management meetings with suppliers positively affect firm sales performance was not confirmed. Additionally, our efforts support the critical role of buyer–supplier relationships for innovation activities, primarily for services rather than manufacturing industries.
Relationship between semen quality and level of heterozygosity on the model of endangered population of Western capercaillie
Authors: Strzała Tomasz , Kowalczyk Artur , Rosenberger Joanna , Frąszczak Magdalena , Łukaszewicz Ewa
Published: March 2023

Sperm quality is a very important population survival factor, which can be influenced by the level of male's genetic diversity and can influence reproduction effectiveness, what may be crucial in terms of decision about local, endangered population protection plans. Thus, we analysed if heterozygosity and age influence sperm quality in the engendered European capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) population in Polish breeding stations. Obtained results showed no relationship between normal sperm morphology and heterozygosity, as well as age and sperm morphology, but it was shown that both high and low level of heterozygosity significantly influenced the percentage of abnormal sperm. Thus, heterozygosity level can be a useful tool for population reproduction potential prediction, however, further research on how those abnormalities influence fertilization process are needed.
Effect of body condition loss in early lactation Holstein cows on plasma IGF‐I, prolactin and NEFA during breeding period and its association with some reproductive indices
Authors: Mirzaei Abdolah , Mohebbi‐Fani Mehdi , Omidi Arash , Nazifi Saeed , Ghiasi Reza
Published: March 2023

The associations between early lactation changes in the body condition score (BCS) and mid‐lactation levels of blood insulin‐like Growth Factor‐I (IGF‐1), prolactin, insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), milk production and some reproductive indices were investigated. Monthly milk yield and BCS were recorded. Blood samples were collected on days 60, 90, and 120 (±5 days) of lactation. Twelve and 17 cows showed BCS losses ≤0.75 and >0.75 on day 60, respectively. BCS losses ≤0.75 till day 60 after calving enhanced the IGF‐I concentration on day 90 (57.8 ± 10.7 vs. 35.6 ± 17.8 ng/mL; p = .001). The differences in blood metabolites were prominent on day 90. Trends of insulin changes between day 60 BCS (p = .04) groups were different. Inverse correlations were detected between IGF‐I and NEFA (−0.6, p = .001), IGF‐I and milk production (−0.4, p = .05), NEFA and prolactin (−0.8, p < .001) on day 90. Higher percentages of cows with BCS loss >0.75 (day 60) showed their first heat after day 40 postpartum. In conclusion, irrespective of BCS at the time of breeding, the level of BCS loss during the first 60 days of lactation may affect further reproductive performance due to prolonged alterations of IGF‐I, NEFA, prolactin and insulin levels. The extent of postpartum BCS loss may be a predictor of the metabolic status of cows during mid‐lactation.