bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advances in chilling injury of postharvest fruit and vegetable: Extracellular ATP aspects
Authors: Shan Youxia , Zhang Dandan , Luo Zisheng , Li Taotao , Qu Hongxia , Duan Xuewu , Jiang Yueming
Published: July 2022

Due to the global use of cold chain, the development of postharvest technology to reduce chilling injury (CI) in postharvest fruits and vegetables during storage and transport is needed urgently. Considerable evidence shows that maintaining intracellular adenosine triphosphate (iATP) in harvested fruits and vegetables is beneficial to inhibiting CI occurrence. Extracellular ATP (eATP) is a damage‐associated signal molecule and plays an important role in CI of postharvest fruits and vegetables through its receptor and subsequent signal transduction under low‐temperature stress. The development of new aptasensors for the simultaneous determination of eATP level allows for better understanding of the roles of eATP in a myriad of responses mediated by low‐temperature stress in relation to the chilling tolerance of postharvest fruits and vegetables. The multiple biological functions of eATP and its receptors in postharvest fruits and vegetables were attributed to interactions with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in coordination with phytohormones and other signaling molecules via downstream physiological activities. The complicated interconnection among eATP in relation to its receptors, eATP/iATP homeostasis, ROS, NO, and heat shock proteins triggered by eATP recognition has been emphasized. This paper reviews recent advances in the beneficial effects of energy handling, outlines the production and homeostasis of eATP, discusses the possible mechanism of eATP and its receptors in chilling tolerance, and provides future research directions for CI in postharvest fruits and vegetables during low‐temperature storage.
Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in extra virgin olive oil authentication
Authors: Maestrello Valentina , Solovyev Pavel , Bontempo Luana , Mannina Luisa , Camin Federica
Published: July 2022

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a high‐quality product that has become one of the stars in the food fraud context in recent years. EVOO can encounter different types of fraud, from adulteration with cheaper oils to mislabeling, and for this reason, the assessment of its authenticity and traceability can be challenging. There are several officially recognized analytical methods for its authentication, but they are not able to unambiguously trace the geographical and botanical origin of EVOOs. The application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to EVOO is reviewed here as a reliable and rapid tool to verify different aspects of its adulteration, such as undeclared blends with cheaper oils and cultivar and geographical origin mislabeling. This technique makes it possible to use both targeted and untargeted approaches and to determine the olive oil metabolomic profile and the quantification of its constituents.
If caring begins at home, who cares for the carers? Introducing the Global Care Policy Index
Authors: Paul Anju Mary , Haolie Jiang , Chen Cynthia
Published: July 2022

Despite attempts to bring the plight of domestic care providers to the attention of policymakers, there continues to be inadequate regulatory protections for unpaid family caregivers and paid domestic workers. This article introduces the Global Care Policy Index (GCPI), an original scoring system for care‐policy comparisons. The GCPI aims to achieve two objectives: first, to systematically assess how states' domestic‐care provider protections match up to International Labour Organization policy benchmarks, and second, to incentivise states to improve their policy protections for care providers in the domestic sphere by harnessing their competitive instincts to improve their GCPI score. This article outlines the design and methodology behind the index's construction and reports the findings from the pilot phase of the project where 29 countries' care‐provider policy protections were scored. The pilot highlighted key gaps in policy protections for both unpaid family caregivers and paid domestic workers and outlined areas where carework scholars and activists can focus their efforts. In this manner, the GCPI offers a quantitative assessment of a country's care‐provider protections, allowing for fast and direct care‐policy comparisons between countries in the same region or with the same developmental status.
Croatia: Political Developments and Data in 2021
Authors: NIKIĆ ČAKAR DARIO , RAOS VIŠESLAV
Published: July 2022

Croatian politics experienced relative calm in 2021. The minority Plenković II Cabinet saw no changes and survived motions against two of its ministers. Parliament experienced some turmoil, as intra‐party conflict among the Social Democrats resulted in a split of its parliamentary group and a sharp increase in the overall number of independent MPs. In May and June, elections at the county and local levels were held, with the biggest changes occurring in the two largest cities, Zagreb and Split. The mayoral office and the city council of Zagreb were won by Možemo!, a green‐left party, while Split received a mayor from the ranks of a centrist‐liberal party Pametno.
Sustained remission from perinatal depression after bright light therapy: A pilot randomised, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Garbazza Corrado , Cirignotta Fabio , D'Agostino Armando , Cicolin Alessandro , Hackethal Sandra , Wirz‐Justice Anna , Cajochen Christian , Manconi Mauro ,   the “Life‐ON” study group
Published: July 2022

Objective

Perinatal depression (PND) is a severe complication of pregnancy, affecting both mothers and newborns. Bright light therapy (BLT) has only been tested in a few studies for treating either antenatal or postnatal depression. We conducted a pilot trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of BLT for PND occurring at any time across the perinatal period.

Methods

A single‐blind RCT was carried out in women with an EPDS >12 from the 2nd gestational trimester until 9 months postpartum. Participants received either 30‐minutes morning BLT (10′000 lux) or dim red light (DRL, 19 lux) for 6 weeks.

Results

Twenty‐two women were randomised to BLT (n = 11) or DRL (n = 11). Among those receiving BLT, 73% achieved remission (improvement ≥50%, EPDS score ≤ 12), in contrast to 27% in the DRL group (p = 0.04). A significant influence of time on EPDS score and group‐time interaction emerged, with a greater reduction in the BLT‐group across the follow‐up period. No women in either group reported major side effects.

Conclusion

Morning BLT induced a significant remission from PND as compared to DRL and this effect was maintained across the perinatal period. BLT showed an excellent safety profile and was well‐tolerated, thus representing a valid therapeutic strategy in this vulnerable perinatal population.
Prevalence of pulp canal obliteration and periapical pathology in human anterior teeth: A three‐dimensional analysis based on CBCT scans
Authors: Vera Jorge , Thepris‐Charaf Jaime , Hernández‐Ramírez Alejandra , García Julián González , Romero Mónica , Vazquez‐Carcaño Marino , Arias Ana
Published: July 2022

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulp canal obliteration (PCO) and its association with periapical pathology (Hypodense areas) in cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of anterior teeth. A total of 2161 CBCT scans from patients 18 years or older taken between 2000 and 2020 were selected. Patient‐, tooth‐ and scan‐related data were registered. Two calibrated evaluators recorded the number of teeth with PCO ≥4 mm in the cervical third of the roots and the presence or absence of periapical hypodensities (PH). The length of the root canal that was calcified was also determined. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether any of the recorded factors influenced the presence of PCO and the presence of periapical pathology in teeth presenting with PCO. The only factor significantly related to the presence of PCO was patient age. The prevalence of PH in teeth exhibiting PCO was 10%.
Youth, politics, and youth‐led political violence in Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Ramesh , Subedi Dambaru
Published: July 2022

This article examines how participation and mobilization of youth in politics has led to an unintended consequence: youth‐led violence. We define youth‐led violence as a particular form of political violence that emerged from an interplay between political power, domination, and rent‐seeking behavior. To elaborate on youth‐led violence between 1990 and 2018 in Nepal, we identified and analyzed push and pull factors that explain the dynamics and dimensions of why youth participate in politics and how it creates a condition where political violence is accepted and normalized.
Use of medication data alone to identify diagnoses and related contraindications: Application of algorithms to close a common documentation gap
Authors: Andrikyan Wahram , Then Melanie I. , Gaßmann Karl‐Günter , Tümena Thomas , Dürr Pauline , Fromm Martin F. , Maas Renke
Published: July 2022

Aims

Automated checks for medication‐related problems have become a cornerstone of medication safety. In many clinical settings medication checks remain confined to drug–drug interactions because only medication data are available in an adequately coded form, leaving possible contraindicated drug–disease combinations unaccounted for. Therefore, we devised algorithms that identify frequently contraindicated diagnoses based on medication patterns related to these diagnoses.

Methods

We identified drugs that are associated with diseases constituting common contraindications based on their exclusive use for these conditions (such as allopurinol for gout or salbutamol for bronchial obstruction). Expert‐based and machine learning algorithms were developed to identify diagnoses based on highly specific medication patterns. The applicability, sensitivity and specificity of the approach were assessed by using an anonymized real‐life sample of medication and diagnosis data excerpts from 3506 discharge records of geriatric patients.

Results

Depending on the algorithm, the desired focus (i.e., sensitivity vs. specificity) and the disease, we were able to identify the diagnoses gout, epilepsy, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and bronchial obstruction with a specificity of 44.0–99.8% (95% CI 41.7–100.0%) and a sensitivity of 3.8–83.1% (95% CI 1.0–86.1%). Using only medication data, we were able to identify 123 (51.3%) of 240 contraindications identified by experts with access to medication data and diagnoses.

Conclusion

This study provides a proof of principle that some key diagnosis‐related contraindications can be identified based on a patient's medication data alone, while others cannot be identified. This approach offers new opportunities to analyse drug–disease contraindications in community pharmacy or clinical routine data.
Treatment experiences of male and female youths with eating disorders
Authors: Coelho Jennifer S. , Suen Janet , Marshall Sheila , Zaid‐Alkailani Haya , Geller Josie , Lam Pei‐Yoong
Published: July 2022

Objectives

The current study was conducted to further understand the experiences of youths with an eating disorder with accessing services and receiving treatment. Participants' perceptions of the role of gender in eating disorder treatment was also assessed.

Design

A prospective mixed methods design was used, with the current report focusing on qualitative interviews.

Methods

Youths who were receiving services in a specialized paediatric eating disorder program completed a semi‐structured interview in combination with a visual lifeline upon their discharge. A process of interpretative induction was employed to derive high‐level concepts from the interviews.

Results

A total of 28 youths (15 males and 13 females) completed an interview. Four high‐level concepts were identified: (1) unwanted/non‐collaborative support, (2) conflicting views, (3) dynamics in relationships (with sub‐concepts relating to peers and health professionals), and (4) changing mindset. Although many participants viewed treatment as universal, a subset of participants noted that treatment was tailored towards females.

Conclusions

Youths shared several challenges that they encountered in their journey to accessing specialized eating disorders treatment, including disagreement with their parents/caregivers and health professionals about treatment plans. Interactions with peers and health professionals represented both a facilitator (e.g., feeling supported and inspired by peers) and a challenge (e.g., negative interactions with professionals). Some youths shared concerns about the female‐centric nature of treatment. The results of this study highlight the importance of collaborative care for paediatric eating disorders, and consideration for gender inclusivity in eating disorders treatment.
Teaching presence predicts cyberloafing during online learning: From the perspective of the community of inquiry framework and social learning theory
Authors: Zhang Yamei , Tian Yuan , Yao Liangshuang , Duan Changying , Sun Xiaojun , Niu Gengfeng
Published: July 2022

Background

Cyberloafing exists extensively in online learning and impairs learning, yet little is known about how course‐related factors affect it. The community of inquiry framework maintains that learning is affected by teaching presence, according to which, we assume that teaching presence impacts cyberloafing, which is mediated by social presence, cognitive presence, and lack of attention, and moderated by normative influence.

Aims

This study examined the effect of teaching presence on cyberloafing and its underlying mechanisms – the mediating roles of social presence, cognitive presence and lack of attention, and the moderating roles of normative influence.

Sample

Participants were 814 university students who were taking video‐centric asynchronous online courses.

Methods

Self‐report instruments were adopted, and data were analysed using structural equation modelling.

Results

Teaching presence was negatively associated with cyberloafing. Social presence (positively), cognitive presence (negatively), and lack of attention (negatively) mediated the relation, respectively. Social presence, cognitive presence and lack of attention were also serial mediators of the association (i.e., teaching presence → social presence → cognitive presence → cyberloafing; teaching presence → cognitive presence → lack of attention → cyberloafing; teaching presence → social presence → cognitive presence → lack of attention → cyberloafing), and these sequential mediating effects were negative. Moreover, normative influence could aggravate the negative effect of cognitive presence on lack of attention, the positive effect of social presence on cyberloafing, and the positive effect of lack of attention on cyberloafing.

Conclusions

Theoretical and practical implications of the findings for learning and teaching are discussed.
Can different physical education programs produce specific developments in psychological responses and cognitive functions? An ecological intervention in school‐age children
Authors: Rodríguez‐Negro Josune , Pesola Johannes Arto , Yanci Javier
Published: July 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of physical education (PE) class contents on 6–8 years school‐age children's perceived exertion, psychological responses and cognitive functions.

Materials and Methods

These dimensions were measured in 135 children (6.61 ± 0.58 years) before and after an 8‐week different PE intervention programs [i.e. balance intervention program (BIP), game based program (GBP) or drama learning program (DLP)].

Results

With regard to the physical exertion, higher perceived exertion was found in BIP than in GBP and DLP (p < .01, ES = −0.5 to −1.0, small to moderate). Regarding cognitive functions, children of the GBP and the DLP significantly improved some of the cognitive functions test scores (p < .01 or 0.05, ES = 0.5 to 1.5, small to large).

Conclusion

These results lead us to think that physical activity could be an effective tool for improving children's cognitive functions.
Recurrence after stopping anticoagulants in women with combined oral contraceptive‐associated venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Abdulrehman Jameel , Elbaz Carolyne , Aziz David , Parpia Sameer , Fazelzad Rouhi , Eischer Lisbeth , Rodger Marc A. , Cannegieter Suzanne C. , ten Cate‐Hoek Arina , Nagler Michael , Schulman Sam , Rezende Suely M. , Olié Valérie , Palareti Gualtiero , Marcucci Maura , Douketis James , Poli Daniela , Zabczyk Michal , de Sousa Diana Aguiar , Miranda Bruno , Cushman Mary , Tosetto Alberto , Le Gal Gregoire , Kearon Clive , Skeith Leslie
Published: July 2022

The risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation for a combined oral contraceptive (COC)‐associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to estimate the incidence of recurrent VTE among women with COC‐associated VTE, unprovoked VTE and to compare the incidence of recurrent VTE between the two groups. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase Classic +Embase and Medline ALL to July 2020 and citations from included studies were searched. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies and meta‐analyses of these study types were selected. The analysis was conducted by random‐effects model. Nineteen studies were identified including 1537 women [5828 person‐years (PY)] with COC‐associated VTE and 1974 women (7798 PY) with unprovoked VTE. Studies were at low risk of bias. The incidence rate of VTE recurrence was 1.22/100 PY [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92–1.62, I2 = 6%] in women with COC‐associated VTE, 3.89/100 PY (95% CI 2.93–5.17, I2 = 74%) in women with unprovoked VTE and the unadjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.34 (95% CI 0.26–0.46, I2 = 3%). The recurrence risk in women after COC‐associated VTE is low and lower than after an unprovoked VTE.
Impact of worsening surgically induced chronic kidney disease (CKD‐S) in preoperative CKD‐naïve patients on survival in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Nguyen Mimi V. , Walia Arman , Saidian Ava , Puri Dhruv , Meagher Margaret F. , Hakimi Kevin , Tanaka Hajime , Patil Dattatraya , Yasuda Yosuke , Saito Kazutaka , Dhanji Sohail , Cerrato Clara , Narasimhan Rekha , Perry John , Master Viraj , Fujii Yasuhisa , Derweesh Ithaar H.
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To evaluate effects of worsening surgically induced chronic kidney disease (CKD‐S) on oncological and non‐oncological survival outcomes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Patients and Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent partial (PN) or radical nephrectomy (RN) and were free of preoperative CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2). Patients were stratified by CKD stage at last follow‐up: no CKD‐S (eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m2), de novo CKD‐S 3a (eGFR 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m2), CKD‐S 3b (eGFR <45 and ≥30 mL/min/1.73 m2) and CKD‐S 4 (eGFR <30 and ≥15 mL/min/1.73 m2). The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality (ACM). Secondary outcomes included non‐cancer mortality (NCM), cancer‐specific mortality (CSM) and de novo CKD‐S Stage 3/4. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was utilised to identify risk factors for outcomes. Kaplan–Meier analysis (KMA) was utilised to evaluate overall (OS), non‐cancer (NCS), and cancer‐specific survival with respect to CKD‐S categories.

Results

We analysed 3239 patients. The mean preoperative and last‐follow‐up eGFRs were 87.4 and 69.5 mL/min/1.73 m2, respectively. On last follow‐up, 57.9% (n = 1876) had no CKD‐S, 18.7% (n = 606) had CKD‐S 3a, 15.1% (n = 489) had CKD‐S 3b and 8.3% (n = 268) had CKD‐S 4. On MVA, de novo CKD‐S 3b and 4 were independently associated with ACM (hazard ratios [HRs] 1.3–2.1, P = 0.003–0.001) and NCM (HRs 1.5–2.8, P = 0.021–0.001), but not CSM (P = 0.219–0.909); de novo CKD‐S 3a was not predictive for any mortality outcomes (P = 0.102–0.81). RN was independently associated with CKD‐S 3–4 (HRs 1.78–1.99, P < 0.001–0.035). Comparing no CKD‐S, CKD‐S 3a, CKD‐S 3b and CKD‐S 4, KMA demonstrated worsening outcomes with progressive CKD‐S stage: 5‐year OS 84% vs 78% vs 71% vs 60% (P < 0.001) and 5‐year NCS 93% vs 87% vs 83% vs 72% (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Development of CKD‐S Stage 3b and 4, but not 3a, was associated with worsened ACM and NCM. The decision to proceed with nephron preservation via PN should be individualised based on oncological risk and risk of functional decline to CKD‐S 3b or 4, and not CKD‐S 3a.
Expert panel consensus recommendations on the use of circulating tumor DNA assays for patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Imai Mitsuho , Nakamura Yoshiaki , Sunami Kuniko , Kage Hidenori , Komine Keigo , Koyama Takafumi , Amano Toraji , Ennishi Daisuke , Kanai Masashi , Kenmotsu Hirotsugu , Maeda Takahiro , Morita Sachi , Sakai Daisuke , Bando Hideaki , Makiyama Akitaka , Suzuki Tatsuya , Hirata Makoto , Kohsaka Shinji , Tsuchihara Katsuya , Naito Yoichi , Yoshino Takayuki
Published: July 2022

Comprehensive genomic profiling is increasingly used to facilitate precision oncology based on molecular stratification. In addition to conventional tissue comprehensive genomic profiling, comprehensive genomic profiling of circulating tumor DNA has become widely utilized in cancer care owing on its advantages, including less invasiveness, rapid turnaround time, and capturing heterogeneity. However, circulating tumor DNA comprehensive genomic profiling has some limitations, mainly false negatives due to low levels of plasma circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid and false positives caused by clonal hematopoiesis. Nevertheless, no guidelines and recommendations fully address these issues. Here, an expert panel committee involving representatives from 12 Designated Core Hospitals for Cancer Genomic Medicine in Japan was organized to develop expert consensus recommendations for the use of circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid‐based comprehensive genomic profiling. The aim was to generate guidelines for clinicians and allied healthcare professionals on the optimal use of the circulating tumor DNA assays in advanced solid tumors and to aid the design of future clinical trials that utilize and develop circulating tumor DNA assays to refine precision oncology. Fourteen clinical questions regarding circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid comprehensive genomic profiling including the timing of testing and considerations for interpreting results were established by searching and curating associated literatures, and corresponding recommendations were prepared based on the literature for each clinical question. Final consensus recommendations were developed by voting to determine the level of each recommendation by the Committee members.
Managerial risk aversion and the structure of executive compensation
Authors: Hrazdil Karel , Kim Jeong Bon , Novak Jiri , Zatzick Christopher
Published: July 2022

Research question/issue

We examine how chief executive officers' (CEOs) innate risk aversion influences the size and structure of their compensation contracts. In so doing, we estimate managerial risk aversion based on the Big Five personality traits—openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism—inferred using IBM's Personality Insights service.

Research findings/insights

We provide evidence that executives' inherent risk aversion is related to their compensation structure. Contrary to agency theory predictions, we find that more risk‐averse CEOs receive more cash‐based and less equity‐based compensation but receive lower total compensation. This relationship is moderated by differences in firms' resource advantages.

Theoretical/academic implications

Despite the theoretical prediction that managerial risk aversion is a key factor determining the structure of executives' compensation contracts, there is limited empirical evidence on whether firms adjust the components of compensation based on CEOs' risk preferences. Our results help us better understand the interplay between CEO personality and executive compensation.

Practitioner/policy implications

This study offers important implications for organizations in that knowledge about executives' inherent risk aversion is important and relevant for designing effective compensation contracts.
Association of admission blood glucose level and clinical outcomes in elderly community‐acquired pneumonia patients with or without diabetes
Authors: Zeng Weijian , Huang Xiaoxing , Luo Weijie , Chen Mingqian
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the major cause of infection‐related mortality worldwide. Patients with CAP frequently present with admission hyperglycemia.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between admission blood glucose (ABG) level and clinical outcomes in elderly CAP patients (≥80 years of age) with or without diabetes.

Methods

In this single center retrospective study, 290 elderly patients diagnosed with CAP were included. Demographic and clinical information were collected and compared. The associations between admission blood glucose level and the 30‐day mortality as well as intensive care unit (ICU) admission and invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in elderly CAP patients with or without diabetes were assessed.

Results

Of the 290 eligible patients with CAP, 159 (66.5%) patients were male, and 64 (22.1%) had a known history of diabetes at hospital admission. After adjusting for age and sex, the logistic regression analysis had identified several risk factors that might be associated with clinical outcomes in elderly patients with CAP. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that admission glucose level > 11.1 mmol/L was significant associated with ICU admission, IMV, and 30‐day mortality both in non‐diabetic and diabetic patients. Furthermore, Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that patients with higher admission glucose level were correlated statistically significantly with 30‐day mortality in patients with CAP (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Admission blood glucose is correlated with 30‐day hospital mortality, ICU admission, and IMV of CAP in elderly patients with and without diabetes. Specially, admission glucose > 11.1 mmol/L was a significant risk factor for 30‐day hospital mortality.
Evaluation of continuous glucose monitoring‐derived person‐specific HbA1c in the presence and absence of complications in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Xu Yongjin , Oriot Philippe , Dunn Timothy C. , Hermans Michel P. , Ram Yashesvini , Cheng Alan , Ajjan Ramzi A.
Published: July 2022

Aim

To evaluate the accuracy of a novel kinetic model at predicting HbA1c in a real‐world setting and to understand and explore the role of diabetes complications in altering the glucose–HbA1c relationship and the mechanisms involved.

Materials and Methods

Deidentified HbA1c and continuous glucose monitoring values were collected from 93 individuals with type 1 diabetes. Person‐specific kinetic variables were used, including red blood cell (RBC) glucose uptake and lifespan, to characterize the relationship between glucose levels and HbA1c. The resulting calculated HbA1c (cHbA1c) was compared with glucose management indicator (GMI) for prospective agreement with laboratory HbA1c.

Results

The cohort (42 men and 51 women) had a median age (IQR) of 61 (43, 72) years and a diabetes duration of 21 (10, 33) years. A total of 24 459 days of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data were available and 357 laboratory HbA1c were used to assess the average glucose–HbA1c relationship. cHbA1c had a superior correlation with laboratory HbA1c compared with GMI with a mean absolute deviation of 1.7 and 6.7 mmol/mol, r2 = 0.85 and 0.44, respectively. The fraction within 10% of absolute relative deviation from laboratory HbA1c was 93% for cHbA1c and 63% for GMI. Macrovascular disease had no effect on the model's accuracy, whereas microvascular complications resulted in a trend towards higher HbA1c, secondary to increased RBC glucose uptake.

Conclusions

cHbA1c, which takes into account RBC glucose uptake and lifespan, accurately reflects laboratory HbA1c in a real‐world setting and can aid in the management of individuals with diabetes.
Diagnostic accuracy of cardiac computed tomographic angiography and transesophageal echocardiography in evaluation of patients with prosthetic paravalvular leakage
Authors: Hassan Amr Youssef , Kandil Hossam Ibrahim , Salem Mohamed Ali , Mohamed Ahmed Shehata , Kassem Hussien Heshmat
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Computed Tomography (CT) scan has been well addressed to provide diagnostic information for patients with prosthetic heart valve (PHV) dysfunction. However, its role in the assessment of patients with prosthetic paravalvular leakage (PVL) has not been studied thoroughly. So, this study was conducted to assess the feasibility, reproducibility, and accuracy of CT for diagnosis of prosthetic PVL using surgical findings as the reference standard.

Materials and methods

This was a prospective cohort study that was conducted on 26 consecutive patients with suspected prosthetic PVL who underwent both transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and 64‐slice ECG‐gated CT. The gold standard was the intraoperative findings. Surgery was performed on 26 patients.

Results

There was an excellent degree of agreement between CT and intraoperative findings for diagnosis, localization of prosthetic PVL. The perimeter of prosthetic PVL measured by CT was strongly correlated with echocardiographic severity of PVL by TEE (Spearman's Correlation Coefficient, r = .83, p = .0014).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that cardiac CT showed comparable diagnostic accuracy to TEE and intraoperative findings for the detection, localization, and assessment of severity of prosthetic PVL. Moreover, CT was shown to be useful in detection of other findings related to prosthetic cardiac valves.
Exploring variation in susceptibility to Phytophthora ramorum in Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi)
Authors: Dun Heather F. , Clarke Toni‐Kim , Mackay John J. , Green Sarah
Published: July 2022

Phytophthora ramorum is an invasive pathogen responsible for extensive mortality in larches in the United Kingdom. There is great interest from the forestry industry in the possibility of selection for resistance to P. ramorum in Japanese larch in order to retain it as a commercially viable species. This study is the first to investigate variation in resistance to P. ramorum among planted populations of Japanese larch in the UK. Our study uses inoculation of excised material from putatively resistant survivor trees and known susceptible trees. We found variation in susceptibility to P. ramorum within Japanese larch stands planted in the Galloway forest of Scotland with some trees showing significantly shorter lesion development than others, from a mean lesion length of 34.7 mm in the least susceptible clone to 135 mm in the most susceptible. Although clones from the putatively resistant and known susceptible groups were not significantly different (p = .055), we propose that survivor trees include a higher proportion of resistant or low susceptibility trees and would be a useful starting point for further work investigating natural resistance in larch.
Mefloquine causes selective mast cell apoptosis in cutaneous mastocytosis lesions by a secretory granule‐mediated pathway
Authors: Lampinen Maria , Hagforsen Eva , Weström Simone , Bergström Anna , Levedahl Kerstin Hamberg , Paivandy Aida , Lara‐Valencia Paola , Pejler Gunnar , Rollman Ola
Published: July 2022

Mastocytosis is a KIT‐related myeloproliferative disease characterised by abnormal expansion of neoplastic mast cells (MC) in the skin or virtually any other organ system. The cutaneous form of adult‐onset mastocytosis is almost invariably combined with indolent systemic involvement for which curative therapy is yet not available. Here we evaluated a concept of depleting cutaneous MCs in mastocytosis lesions ex vivo by targeting their secretory granules. Skin biopsies from mastocytosis patients were incubated with or without mefloquine, an antimalarial drug known to penetrate into acidic organelles such as MC secretory granules. Mefloquine reduced the number of dermal MCs without affecting keratinocyte proliferation or epidermal gross morphology at drug concentrations up to 40 μM. Flow cytometric analysis of purified dermal MCs showed that mefloquine‐induced cell death was mainly due to apoptosis and accompanied by caspase‐3 activation. However, caspase inhibition provided only partial protection against mefloquine‐induced cell death, indicating predominantly caspase‐independent apoptosis. Further assessments revealed that mefloquine caused an elevation of granule pH and a corresponding decrease in cytosolic pH, suggesting drug‐induced granule permeabilisation. Extensive damage to the MC secretory granules was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy analysis. Further, blockade of granule acidification or serine protease activity prior to mefloquine treatment protected MCs from apoptosis, indicating that granule acidity and granule‐localised serine proteases play major roles in the execution of mefloquine‐induced cell death. Altogether, these findings reveal that mefloquine induces selective apoptosis of MCs by targeting their secretory granules and suggest that the drug may potentially extend its range of medical applications.
Etiologic mechanisms in an adapted family‐based preventive intervention for underage alcohol use in Mexico: Results of an exploratory pilot study
Authors: Montero‐Zamora Pablo , Brown Eric C. , Ringwalt Christopher L. , Schwartz Seth J. , Prado Guillermo , Ortiz‐García Jorge
Published: July 2022

Alcohol use represents a global health problem, especially for Latin American youth. As part of the Global Smart Drinking Goals campaign, a family‐based preventive intervention was adapted and piloted in Mexico based on an existing evidence‐based program, Guiding Good Choices. In this study, we explored the malleability and session‐specific mean‐level changes in protective and risk factors targeted by the adapted family intervention as related to the prevention of underage alcohol use and abuse. The sample consisted of 177 parents working at four private local companies who had children between the ages of 8 and 16. Data were collected before and after each program session. Linear mixed‐effects models were used to examine growth trajectories and session‐specific mean differences for selected etiologic factors. Significant effects on protective and risk factors were found. Among protective factors, positive family involvement showed the most considerable linear growth over time, while clear standards for youth showed the largest within‐session increase. The greatest linear decrease in risk was observed for family conflict, which also showed the greatest pre‐, and post‐session reduction. Our findings suggest that the adapted program helped families develop protection against, and reduce risk of, alcohol use in their adolescent children. Results from this exploratory pilot study provide support for further rigorous evaluation and dissemination of the adapted intervention for Hispanic families.
Mice lacking proSAAS display alterations in emotion, consummatory behavior and circadian entrainment
Authors: Aryal Dipendra K. , Rodriguiz Ramona M. , Nguyen Ngoc Lien , Pease Matthew W. , Morgan Daniel J. , Pintar John , Fricker Lloyd D. , Wetsel William C.
Published: July 2022

ProSAAS is a neuroendocrine protein that is cleaved by neuropeptide‐processing enzymes into more than a dozen products including the bigLEN and PEN peptides, which bind and activate the receptors GPR171 and GPR83, respectively. Previous studies have suggested that proSAAS‐derived peptides are involved in physiological functions that include body weight regulation, circadian rhythms and anxiety‐like behavior. In the present study, we find that proSAAS knockout mice display robust anxiety‐like behaviors in the open field, light–dark emergence and elevated zero maze tests. These mutant mice also show a reduction in cued fear and an impairment in fear‐potentiated startle, indicating an important role for proSAAS‐derived peptides in emotional behaviors. ProSAAS knockout mice exhibit reduced water consumption and urine production relative to wild‐type controls. No differences in food consumption and overall energy expenditure were observed between the genotypes. However, the respiratory exchange ratio was elevated in the mutants during the light portion of the light–dark cycle, indicating decreased fat metabolism during this period. While proSAAS knockout mice show normal circadian patterns of activity, even upon long‐term exposure to constant darkness, they were unable to shift their circadian clock upon exposure to a light pulse. Taken together, these results show that proSAAS‐derived peptides modulate a wide range of behaviors including emotion, metabolism and the regulation of the circadian clock.
Body mass and cell size shape the tolerance of fishes to low oxygen in a temperature‐dependent manner
Authors: Verberk Wilco C. E. P. , Sandker Jeroen F. , van de Pol Iris L. E. , Urbina Mauricio A. , Wilson Rod W. , McKenzie David J. , Leiva Félix P.
Published: July 2022

Aerobic metabolism generates 15–20 times more energy (ATP) than anaerobic metabolism, which is crucial in maintaining energy budgets in animals, fueling metabolism, activity, growth and reproduction. For ectothermic water‐breathers such as fishes, low dissolved oxygen may limit oxygen uptake and hence aerobic metabolism. Here, we assess, within a phylogenetic context, how abiotic and biotic drivers explain the variation in hypoxia tolerance observed in fishes. To do so, we assembled a database of hypoxia tolerance, measured as critical oxygen tensions (Pcrit) for 195 fish species. Overall, we found that hypoxia tolerance has a clear phylogenetic signal and is further modulated by temperature, body mass, cell size, salinity and metabolic rate. Marine fishes were more susceptible to hypoxia than freshwater fishes. This pattern is consistent with greater fluctuations in oxygen and temperature in freshwater habitats. Fishes with higher oxygen requirements (e.g. a high metabolic rate relative to body mass) also were more susceptible to hypoxia. We also found evidence that hypoxia and warming can act synergistically, as hypoxia tolerance was generally lower in warmer waters. However, we found significant interactions between temperature and the body and cell size of a fish. Constraints in oxygen uptake related to cellular surface area to volume ratios and effects of viscosity on the thickness of the boundary layers enveloping the gills could explain these thermal dependencies. The lower hypoxia tolerance in warmer waters was particularly pronounced for fishes with larger bodies and larger cell sizes. Previous studies have found a wide diversity in the direction and strength of relationships betweenPcritand body mass. By including interactions with temperature, our study may help resolve these divergent findings, explaining the size dependency of hypoxia tolerance in fish.
The teaching of geriatric dentistry in South Korean dental schools
Authors: Kang Kyung Lhi , Kang Myoung Sheen , So Jong Seob , Ko Sok‐Min , Ha Seung‐Ryong , Hwang Ji‐young , Lee Sang‐Goo , Lee Seong‐Geun , Kho Hong‐Seop
Published: July 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the curriculum of geriatric dentistry for undergraduates in Korean dental schools.

Background

For development purposes, it was necessary to compare geriatric dentistry education programmes in South Korea to programmes in the United States and Europe.

Methods

The most recent curriculum and related information on geriatric dentistry at the undergraduate level in all 11 dental schools in South Korea were collected by both official letter and e‐mail. A symposium for gathering expert opinions to improve geriatric dentistry education in South Korea was also held. The collected data were analysed, and the expert opinions at the symposium were summarised.

Results

Six of 11 schools had a didactic course as compulsory and three schools as elective. The course was usually conducted as a form of integrated lectures, and the level of standardisation of lecture content was very low. There were no topics for older people who cannot access dental clinics due to functional frailty or disability. No dental school‐affiliated hospitals had an independent department for geriatric dentistry. No schools provided clinical teaching for geriatric dentistry. There were no outreach programmes for geriatric dentistry.

Conclusions

The educational curriculum for geriatric dentistry in South Korea was insufficient to cope with social and demographic changes. Curriculum content should include clinical practice education and needs to be focused on frail and dependent older adult patients. An essential educational curriculum and core competency for geriatric dentistry should be prepared.
Digitized diaspora governance during the COVID‐19 pandemic: China's diaspora mobilization and Chinese migrant responses in Italy
Authors: Ceccagno Antonella , Thunø Mette
Published: July 2022

We explore how the Chinese diaspora state during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 managed to transform a severe health crisis into a geo‐political opportunity for transnational nation‐building through diaspora governance based on extensive use of social media technologies. By adopting a multi‐scalar perspective, we analyse the intertwined nature of top‐down and bottom‐up processes of the Chinese Party‐state's diaspora mobilization. Based on discourse and ethnographic analysis, we argue that China's diaspora governance exposed a new and strong capacity for extra‐territorial governance. We explore how discursive hegemony, social control and diaspora mobilization were achieved by widely employing the Chinese social media application, WeChat. We also contend that this was facilitated by the Italian government's and media's pro‐China attitudes to emphasize the importance of considering transnational embeddedness when studying the implementation and impact of interactive online technology for diaspora governance in an illiberal political context.
Eradication rate and safety of a “simplified rescue therapy”: 14‐day vonoprazan and amoxicillin dual regimen as rescue therapy on treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection previously failed in eradication: A real‐world, retrospective clinical study in China
Authors: Gao Wen , Teng Guigen , Wang Chi , Xu Ying , Li Yixuan , Cheng Hong
Published: July 2022

Background

The currently recommended quadruple regimens as rescue therapy on Helicobacter pylori infection were not as effective as being supposed, especially in those who had failed two or more times. Dual regimen composed of vonoprazan (a potassium‐competitive acid blocker) and amoxicillin might be an option since it's effective in eradication therapy as first‐line treatment.

Objective

As a real‐world retrospective study, data were collected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of vonoprazan and amoxicillin dual regimen as rescue therapy in Helicobacter pylori positive patients who had failed one or more times in their previous treatment.

Methods

From May 2020 to June 2021, the clinical data of patients who had failed in Helicobacter pylori infection treatment were collected in GI department of Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China. Patients were given vonoprazan 20 mg or 40 mg per day and amoxicillin 3000 mg per day (VA dual therapy) for 14 days as rescue treatment. Helicobacter pylori status was evaluated by 13C‐urease breath test 6 weeks after treatment. All adverse effects during treatment were recorded.

Results

A total of 186 patients were enrolled, including 67 males and 119 females. All of them had failed for 1 ~ 7 times in their previous treatment. Successful eradication was achieved in 172 patients (92.5%, 172/186). The adverse effects (referring to skin rash, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and headache), mainly mild and did not cause quit of treatment, occurred in 14 patients (7.5%, 14/186) and all symptoms relieved spontaneously.

Conclusions

Dual regimen composed of vonoprazan and amoxicillin for 14 days was effective and safe as rescue therapy in Helicobacter pylori infection treatment. It could be chosen as a “simplified rescue therapy” with relatively high eradication rate no matter how many times the patients had failed and what regimens they had used previously.
Different protein intake in the first year and its effects on adiposity rebound and obesity throughout childhood: 11 years follow‐up of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Totzauer Martina , Escribano Joaquin , Closa‐Monasterolo Ricardo , Luque Veronica , Verduci Elvira , ReDionigi Alice , Langhendries Jean‐Paul , Martin Françoise , Xhonneux Annick , Gruszfeld Dariusz , Socha Piotr , Grote Veit , Koletzko Berthold ,   The European Childhood Obesity Trial Study Group
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives

Infant feeding affects child growth and later obesity risk. We examined whether protein supply in infancy affects the adiposity rebound, body mass index (BMI) and overweight and obesity up to 11 years of age.

Methods

We enrolled healthy term infants from five European countries in a double blind randomized trial, with anticipated 16 examinations within 11 years follow‐up. Formula‐fed infants (n = 1090) were randomized to isoenergetic formula with higher or lower protein content within the range stipulated by EU legislation in 2001. A breastfed reference group (n = 588) was included. Adiposity rebound and BMI trajectories were estimated by generalized additive mixed models in 917 children, with 712 participating in the 11 year follow‐up.

Results

BMI trajectories were elevated in the higher compared to the lower protein group, with significantly different BMI at adiposity rebound (0.24 kg/m2, 0.01–0.47, p = 0.040), and an increased risk for overweight at 11 years (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.70; 1.06–2.73; p = 0.027) but no significant difference for obesity (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.47; 0.66–3.27). The two formula groups did not differ in the timing of adiposity rebound, but all children with obesity at 11 years had an early adiposity rebound before four years.

Conclusions

Compared to conventional high protein formula, feeding lower protein formula in infancy lowers BMI trajectories up to 11 years and achieves similar BMI values at adiposity rebound as observed in breastfed infants.