bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From the leaf to the community: Distinct dimensions of phytochemical diversity shape insect–plant interactions within and among individual plants
Authors: Cosmo Leandro G. , Yamaguchi Lydia F. , Felix Gabriel M. F. , Kato Massuo J. , Cogni Rodrigo , Pareja Martín
Published: March 2021

Plant secondary chemistry is known to be an important driver of plant–insect community structure across ecological scales. Recently, the concept of phytochemical diversity (PD) has been introduced to help describe variation in plant secondary chemistry and explain how this variation affects community structure. Previous studies show that PD among individuals and species results in phytochemical mosaics, known as the phytochemical landscape. However, plant traits can vary at finer scales, such as within individuals, and even a single host plant may be perceived as an entire phytochemical landscape by an interacting insect.

Using the neotropical shrub Piper amalago, we tested and compared how herbivory, caterpillar biodiversity and plant–herbivore network structure are affected by the compositional (number and concentration of compounds) and structural (diversity of distinct chemical structures) dimensions of PD. We analysed variation among individual plants and among‐plant height strata within individual plants. This allowed us to decompose PD within and among plant individuals and analyse how variation at both scales affects the plant–herbivore network.

We found that both within and among plants greater structural diversity decreased herbivore feeding damage. Furthermore, each dimension of PD has different effects on herbivore biodiversity and network structure depending on the scale of biological organization.

Within plants, the compositional dimension, specifically low concentrations of compounds tentatively identified as Piper amides, increased herbivore biodiversity. This dimension also increased the capacity of strata within plants to mediate ecological cascades through direct and indirect effects on herbivore abundance in the plant–herbivore network. In contrast, a greater structural diversity among plants decreased herbivore biodiversity and the capacity of plants to affect all other herbivores and plants directly and indirectly in the network.

Synthesis. Based on our results we expand the concept of the phytochemical landscape to multiple scales of biological organization and provide evidence that PD may be maintained by how its multiple dimensions have distinct roles across scales of biological organization.
Do Majority‐of‐Minority Shareholder Voting Rights Reduce Expropriation? Evidence from Related Party Transactions
Authors: LI NAN
Published: March 2021

In the presence of business groups, the expropriation through related party transactions (RPTs) is common and costly to minority shareholders. Using the setting of India's RPT voting rule, I find that a majority‐of‐minority shareholder voting mechanism helps mitigate expropriation. Minority shareholders actively raise their voice against RPT resolutions. A difference‐in‐differences analysis reveals that shareholder voting has a significant deterrence effect on RPT volume. I also find that stock markets react positively to the voting rule's passage, and that the rule makes Indian firms more attractive to foreign institutional investors.
Effect of conflict‐outcomes: moderating role of psychosocial mentoring and emotional intelligence
Authors: Cheung Millissa F Y , Wong Chi‐Sum , Chiu Warren C K
Published: March 2021

Based on the perspective of emotions, this study examines the moderating role of psychosocial mentoring and emotional intelligence (EI) on the impact of task/relationship conflict on outcomes. We collect data of 206 employees from diverse industries in Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China. Results show that psychosocial mentoring reduces the negative influence of task/relationship conflict to OCB, but this moderating effect is not significant for turnover intentions. EI has no moderating effect on the task/relationship conflict‐OCB relationships. However, EI can reduce the negative influence of relationship conflict on employees’ turnover intentions. This EI moderating effect is not significant for the influence of task conflict on turnover intentions. Implications for mentoring and EI are discussed.
Structural Setting and Kinematic Analysis of the Halaban Region, Eastern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia
Authors: KASSEM Osama M. , ALAMRI Yousef A. , ZAIDI Faisal K. , AL BASSAM Abdel Aziz M. , AL‐HASHIM Mansour H.
Published: March 2021

The vorticity analysis technique was applied to measure the different lithological units, such as schist, metagranite and metavolcano‐sedimentary rocks, which are present in the Halaban region. This work aims to interpret the relationship between the different lithologies and the tectonic setting, in order to elucidate the nature of kinematic analysis in the Halaban region. The kinematic analyses were applied to feldspar porphyroclasts, quartz and hornblende for twenty‐six samples. The kinematic vorticity number (Wm) for deformed rocks in the study area ranged from ∼0.6 to 0.9. The direction of the long axes for finite strain data (X axes) revealed a WNW trend with shallow dipping. The direction of the short axes for finite strain data (Z axes) were represented by vertical with associated horizontal foliation. The results of the kinematic vorticity and strain analyses are characterized by simple shear with different degrees of deformation in the Halaban region. Furthermore, our finite strain data shows no significant volume change during deformation. The subhorizontal foliation was synchronized with thrusting and deformation. Furthermore, throughout the overlying nappes, the same attitudes of tectonic contacts are observable, the nappes in the orogens being formed from simple shear deformation.
Distribution Patterns of Calcite Cement in the Turbidite Sandstones of the Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Depression, Eastern China
Authors: ZHANG Yongwang , QU Zhengyang
Published: March 2021

Calcite cements are volumetrically dominant among the most diagenetic constituents in turbidite sandstones of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in the Dongying Depression. The results show carbonate cements mainly occur in three phases: Calcite I (pre‐compaction), Calcite II (post‐compaction) and ankerite in the turbidite sandstone. The isotopic composition of Calcite I and Calcite II range from –4.3‰ to 4.4‰, –3.5‰ to 4.3‰ PDB, respectively, suggesting that the calcite cements are mainly derived from the interbedded shales. The early calcite cement precipitated from the mixing of lacustrine and meteoric waters at 38–69°C. The late‐phase calcite precipitated from pore waters modified by water‐rock interactions at 64–126°C. Two distribution patterns of calcite cements can be identified, depending on their position within the sandstone. The peripheral cementation of the sandstones is near the sand‐shale contact. The development of cement is controlled by sandstone thickness and the properties of the interbedded shale. For scattered cementation, the distribution of the calcite cement is not controlled by the sand‐shale contact. Calcite cement was preferentially distributed in coarsegrained sandstones, indicating that sandstones with high original permeability are the preferred pathway for the migration of early diagenetic fluids.
Intrusion‐related Gold Deposits in Egypt
Authors: BOTROS Nagy Shawky
Published: March 2021

Intrusion‐related gold deposits (IRGDs) occur in the Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt within magmatic districts that are exploited for tungsten and tin mineralization. IRGDs and intrusion‐related rare metal deposits (IRRMDs) are almost invariably linked with the late to post collisional Younger Granites (YGs) that have three successive phases (I, II and III). At ∼635–630 Ma, the ED underwent a transition in deformation style from compressional to extensional and a switch from subduction with crustal thickening to delamination with crustal thinning. This transition was concurrent with the emplacement of a short magmatic pulse (∼635–630 Ma) that represents a transition between orogenic gold deposits and IRGDs. K‐rich calc alkaline granites (phase I and II of the YGs) hosting IRGDs like the Hangalia deposit were emplaced during the time span 630–610 Ma. Alkaline magmatism began at 610 Ma, coexisting with the K‐rich calc‐alkaline magmatism over the 610–590 Ma time span, where the Fawakhir (598 ± 3 Ma) and Um Had (596 ± 2 Ma) granites that host the IRGDs were emplaced. In time, the alkaline magmatism became more alkaline giving rise to phase III of the YGs that hosts IRRMDs. A distinct metallogenic epoch comprising both IRGDs and IRRMDs, was undergoing extreme growth at ∼600 Ma.
New Discovery of Hipparion theobaldi Skull from the Late Miocene of Padhri, District Jhelum, Punjab, Pakistan and Associated Mammalian Fossil Assemblage
Authors: SAMIULLAH Khizar , DRAZ Omer , YASIN Riffat , RASOOL Bilal , MUHAMMAD ISHAQ Hafiz , HARIS AZIZ Muhammad , MEHROZ FAZAL Rana , NAZ Shakila , RAZA Tehreem , NIAZI Romesa
Published: March 2021

A fossil‐bearing locality near Padhri village, Dhok Pathan, 55 km away from the tehsil Dina, Jhelum District, in the Potwar Plateau, Middle Siwaliks, Punjab, northern Pakistan, is significantly rich in mammalian fossils. This site has provided an abundant mammalian fossil fauna of Late Miocene age from the Dhok Pathan Formation (Fm.). The recovered material belongs to four families: Equidae (horses), Rhinocerotidae (rhinos), Bovidae (cows), and Suidae (pigs). We discovered a new skull of hipparionine Hipparion theobaldi from this locality along with 22 specimens from the associated assemblage of fossil mammals. The recovered material includes seven other species: the aceratheriine Chilotherium intermedium, boselaphines Tragoportax punjabicus, Selenoportax vexillarius, Pachyportax latidens, the antelope Gazella lydekkeri and suinine Propotamochoerus hysudricus. The specimens are isolated teeth, fragments of maxilla, mandibles and horn cores. The Dhok Pathan Fm. is generally composed of claystone, siltstone and sandstone beds and, based on the mammalian fauna, the Padhri fossil locality is dated as Late Miocene. Thi99s formation was deposited in a subtropical paleoenvironment and the predominance of fossil bovids indicates extremely moist conditions with small but frequent standing water bodies.
Neoproterozoic U‐Th‐REE‐bearing Pegmatites in Wadi Ibib, South Eastern Desert, Egypt: Structural and Geochemical Measures for a Syn‐Tectonic Anatectic Model of Formation
Authors: IBRAHIM Waleed S.
Published: March 2021

The Wadi Ibib area is situated in the northern part of the Neoproterozoic Hamisana Shear Zone (HSZ), which is a high strain zone evolved during the late stages of the Pan‐African orogeny, likely as a tectonic escape structure. Amphibolite facies pelitic metasedimentary windows crop out in the axial parts of the HSZ and are noticeably associated with numerous N‐trending pegmatite dikes. Whole‐rock geochemistry of the pegmatites reveals a peraluminous (S‐type) affinity, with low K/Rb ratios and elevated concentrations of U, Th, REE, Rb, Li, Cs, Y, Nb and Ta. Structurally, the pegmatite sets intrude along the shear plane of the HSZ, corresponding to the regional N‐trending tectonic fabrics, such as axial planar foliation and dextral‐shearing in the metasedimentary host rock. Field relationships, including structural context, coupled with geochemical characteristics of the Wadi Ibib pegmatites, do not support their formation as a complementary part of evolved granitic magmas. Space‐localized decompression‐induced partial melting of peraluminous garnet‐bearing metapelites was alternatively the underlying process for formation of these pegmatites. Such decompression was associated with regional escape tectonics and stress axes permutations during the late deformation stage (D3) in the evolution of the south Eastern Desert terrane, due to end‐orogeny system pressure‐release.
MD&A readability, auditor characteristics, and audit fees
Authors: Wang Le , Chen Xiaoyan , Li Xing , Tian Gaoliang
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the relationship between audit fees and MD&A readability in China. We find that audit fees generally are higher when MD&A readability is lower. However, we find Big4 auditors and industry specialist auditors do not increase audit fees when MD&As are less readable while the other auditors do. We also find that it is the content unique to the reporting firm, rather than standard industry and market content in a MD&A that affects auditor fees. Our results also support that audit risk and audit efforts are two channels through which MD&A readability affects audit fees.
Clinical experience of trainees of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in insertion of long‐acting reversible contraceptives
Authors: Abdalla Orit , Black Kirsten , Bateson Deborah , Woods Cindy , de Costa Caroline
Published: March 2021

Background

Long‐acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) include both progestogen‐containing implants and intrauterine devices releasing either a progestogen or copper, providing highly effective contraception. Increasing uptake of LARCs is advocated by governments and professional organisations as an important strategy to reduce unintended pregnancy; such uptake requires, among other measures, adequate training of doctors in the areas of obstetrics and gynaecology and women’s health.

Aims

To assess The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) trainees’ (Fellowship, Diploma or Certificate of Women’s Health) experience and training in insertion and removal of LARCs.

Materials and methods

An invitation email to participate in an anonymous survey approved by the Continuing Professional Development Committee of RANZCOG was sent to all current RANZCOG trainees in the three categories. The responses were categorised and analysed.

Results

Of 1686 invited trainees, 294 (17.4%) responded: 250 in Australia and 44 in New Zealand; 127 were undertaking Fellowship training (8.3% of those invited) and 166 (100% of those invited) were undertaking training for the Diploma (either DRANZCOG and DRANZCOG Advanced) or the Certificate of Women’s Health. Significant numbers of all categories of trainees had no or limited experience of insertion or removal of LARCs of all types and/or lacked self‐confidence in LARC provision.

Conclusion

RANZCOG needs to address this training deficiency to continue as the leader in Australia in the provision of women’s reproductive healthcare.
Immune changes beyond Th2 pathways during rapid multifood immunotherapy enabled with omalizumab
Authors: Manohar Monali , Dunham Diane , Gupta Sheena , Yan Zheng , Zhang Wenming , Minnicozzi Samantha , Kirkey Matthew , Bunning Bryan , Roy Chowdhury Roshni , Galli Stephen J. , Boyd Scott D. , Kost Laurie Elizabeth , Chinthrajah R. Sharon , Desai Manisha , Oettgen Hans C. , Maecker Holden T. , Yu Wong , DeKruyff Rosemarie H. , Andorf Sandra , Nadeau Kari C.
Published: March 2021

Background

Multifood oral immunotherapy (mOIT) with adjunctive anti‐IgE (omalizumab, XOLAIR®) treatment affords safe, effective, and rapid desensitization to multiple foods, although the specific immune mechanisms mediating this desensitization remain to be fully elucidated.

Methods

Participants in our phase 2 mOIT trial (NCT02643862) received omalizumab from baseline to week 16 and mOIT from week 8 to week 36. We compared the immune profile of PBMCs and plasma taken at baseline, week 8, and week 36 using high‐dimensional mass cytometry, component‐resolved diagnostics, the indirect basophil activation test, and Luminex.

Results

We found (i) decreased frequency of IL‐4+ peanut‐reactive CD4+ T cells and a marked downregulation of GPR15 expression and CXCR3 frequency among γδ and CD8+ T‐cell subsets at week 8 during the initial, omalizumab‐alone induction phase; (ii) significant upregulation of the skin‐homing receptor CCR4 in peanut‐reactive CD4+ T and Th2 effector memory (EM) cells and of cutaneous lymphocyte‐associated antigen (CLA) in peanut‐reactive CD8+ T and CD8+ EM cells; (iii) downregulation of CD86 expression among antigen‐presenting cell subsets; and (iv) reduction in pro‐inflammatory cytokines, notably IL‐17, at week 36 post‐OIT. We also observed significant attenuation of the Th2 phenotype post‐OIT, defined by downregulation of IL‐4 peanut‐reactive T cells and OX40 in Th2EM cells, increased allergen component‐specific IgG4/IgE ratio, and decreased allergen‐driven activation of indirectly sensitized basophils.

Conclusions

This exploratory study provides novel comprehensive insight into the immune underpinnings of desensitization through omalizumab‐facilitated mOIT. Moreover, this study provides encouraging results to support the complex immune changes that can be induced by OIT.
Effect of intranasal corticosteroid treatment on allergen‐induced changes in group 2 innate lymphoid cells in allergic rhinitis with mild asthma
Authors: Xie Yanqing , Ju Xiaotian , Beaudin Suzanne , Wiltshire Lesley , Oliveria John Paul , MacLean Jonathan , Sommer Doron D. , Cusack Ruth , Li Olga , Banerjee Prajna , Keith Paul K. , O'Byrne Paul M. , Bauer Rebecca N. , Staton Tracy , Gauvreau Gail M. , Sehmi Roma
Published: March 2021

Background

Allergic rhinitis is characterized by rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing and nasal pruritus. Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), CD4+ T cells and eosinophils in nasal mucosa are increased significantly after nasal allergen challenge (NAC). Effects of intranasal corticosteroids (INCS) on ILC2s remain to be investigated.

Methods

Subjects (n = 10) with allergic rhinitis and mild asthma were enrolled in a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled, sequential treatment study and treated twice daily with intranasal triamcinolone acetonide (220 µg) or placebo for 14 days, separated by a 7‐day washout period. Following treatment, subjects underwent NAC and upper airway function was assessed. Cells from the nasal mucosa and blood, sampled 24 h post‐NAC, underwent flow cytometric enumeration for ILC2s, CD4+ T and eosinophil progenitor (EoPs) levels. Cell differentials and cytokine levels were assessed in nasal lavage.

Results

Treatment with INCS significantly attenuated ILC2s, IL‐5+/IL‐13+ILC2s, HLA‐DR+ILC2s and CD4+ T cells in the nasal mucosa, 24 h post‐NAC. EoP in nasal mucosa was significantly increased, while mature eosinophils were significantly decreased, 24 h post‐NAC in INCS versus placebo treatment arm. Following INCS treatment, IL‐2, IL‐4, IL‐5 and IL‐13 were significantly attenuated 24 h post‐NAC accompanied by significant improvement in upper airway function.

Conclusion

Pre‐treatment with INCS attenuates allergen‐induced increases in ILC2s, CD4+ T cells and terminal differentiation of EoPs in the nasal mucosa of allergic rhinitis patients with mild asthma, with little systemic effect. Attenuation of HLA‐DR expression by ILC2s may be an additional mechanism by which steroids modulate adaptive immune responses in the upper airways.
Clinical applications of microperimetry in RPGR‐related retinitis pigmentosa: a review
Authors: Buckley Thomas M.W. , Jolly Jasleen K. , Josan Amandeep Singh , Wood Laura J. , Cehajic‐Kapetanovic Jasmina , MacLaren Robert E.
Published: March 2021

Microperimetry, or fundus‐tracked perimetry, is a precise static‐automated perimetric technique to assess central retinal function. As visual acuity only deteriorates at a late disease stage in RPGR‐related retinitis pigmentosa (RP), alternative markers for disease progression are of great utility. Microperimetry assessment has been of critical value as an outcome measure in a recently reported phase I/II gene therapy trial for RPGR‐related RP, both in terms of detecting safety and efficacy signals. Here, we performed a review of the literature. We describe the principles of microperimetry before outlining specific parameters that may be useful as outcome measures in clinical trial settings. The current state of structure–function correlations between short‐wavelength autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography and adaptive optics in RPGR‐related retinitis pigmentosa are also summarized.
Health needs of accompanied refugee and asylum‐seeking children in a UK specialist clinic
Authors: Harkensee Christian , Andrew Rachel
Published: March 2021

Aim

To identify health needs and healthcare access barriers of accompanied refugee and asylum‐seeking (RAS) children in the North East of England, and pilot a new service model to address these.

Methods

Mixed‐methods study (retrospective analysis of routinely collected service data, qualitative data from focus groups) of children who attended a hospital‐based specialist clinic.

Results

Over two years, 80 children were referred to this service. Most frequent diagnoses (total n = 104) were anaemia (n = 17), neurodevelopmental (n = 12), respiratory (n = 12) and mental health (n = 9) conditions. Mild–moderate stunting (23%), overweight and obesity (41%), stunting with obesity (9%) and micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin D (66%), vitamin A (40%) and manifest (14%) or latent (25%) iron deficiency anaemia) were highly prevalent. 62% of children had experienced psychological trauma, and 39% had abnormal results in psychosocial wellbeing screening. 21% of children required secondary or tertiary care, 8% mental health referrals, and 47% were followed up in this specialist clinic. Focus groups with families and the community report unaddressed health needs and substantial barriers of access to health care.

Conclusion

Refugee and asylum‐seeking children have substantial health needs and healthcare access barriers that are not routinely addressed. The authors propose a service model for healthcare provision.
Inferring UK COVID‐19 fatal infection trajectories from daily mortality data: Were infections already in decline before the UK lockdowns?
Authors: Wood Simon N.
Published: March 2021

The number of new infections per day is a key quantity for effective epidemic management. It can be estimated relatively directly by testing of random population samples. Without such direct epidemiological measurement, other approaches are required to infer whether the number of new cases is likely to be increasing or decreasing: for example, estimating the pathogen‐effective reproduction number, R, using data gathered from the clinical response to the disease. For coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19/SARS‐Cov‐2), such R estimation is heavily dependent on modelling assumptions, because the available clinical case data are opportunistic observational data subject to severe temporal confounding. Given this difficulty, it is useful to retrospectively reconstruct the time course of infections from the least compromised available data, using minimal prior assumptions. A Bayesian inverse problem approach applied to UK data on first‐wave Covid‐19 deaths and the disease duration distribution suggests that fatal infections were in decline before full UK lockdown (24 March 2020), and that fatal infections in Sweden started to decline only a day or two later. An analysis of UK data using the model of Flaxman et al. gives the same result under relaxation of its prior assumptions on R, suggesting an enhanced role for non‐pharmaceutical interventions short of full lockdown in the UK context. Similar patterns appear to have occurred in the subsequent two lockdowns.
On the empirical indistinguishability of knowledge structures
Authors: Stefanutti Luca , Spoto Andrea
Published: March 2021

In recent years a number of articles have focused on the identifiability of the basic local independence model. The identifiability issue usually concerns two model parameter sets predicting an identical probability distribution on the response patterns. Both parameter sets are applied to the same knowledge structure. However, nothing is known about cases where different knowledge structures predict the same probability distribution. This situation is referred to as ʻempirical indistinguishabilityʼ between two structures and is the main subject of the present paper. Empirical indistinguishability is a stronger form of unidentifiability, which involves not only the parameters, but also the structural and combinatorial properties of the model. In particular, as far as knowledge structures are concerned, a consequence of empirical indistinguishability is that the existence of certain knowledge states cannot be empirically established. Most importantly, it is shown that model identifiability cannot guarantee that a certain knowledge structure is empirically distinguishable from others. The theoretical findings are exemplified in a number of different empirical scenarios.
Migration in butterflies: a global overview
Authors: Chowdhury Shawan , Fuller Richard A. , Dingle Hugh , Chapman Jason W. , Zalucki Myron P.
Published: March 2021

Insect populations including butterflies are declining worldwide, and they are becoming an urgent conservation priority in many regions. Understanding which butterfly species migrate is critical to planning for their conservation, because management actions for migrants need to be coordinated across time and space. Yet, while migration appears to be widespread among butterflies, its prevalence, as well as its taxonomic and geographic distribution are poorly understood. The study of insect migration is hampered by their small size and the difficulty of tracking individuals over long distances. Here we review the literature on migration in butterflies, one of the best‐known insect groups. We find that nearly 600 butterfly species show evidence of migratory movements. Indeed, the rate of ‘discovery’ of migratory movements in butterflies suggests that many more species might in fact be migratory. Butterfly migration occurs across all families, in tropical as well as temperate taxa; Nymphalidae has more migratory species than any other family (275 species), and Pieridae has the highest proportion of migrants (13%; 133 species). Some 13 lines of evidence have been used to ascribe migration status in the literature, but only a single line of evidence is available for 92% of the migratory species identified, with four or more lines of evidence available for only 10 species – all from the Pieridae and Nymphalidae. Migratory butterflies occur worldwide, although the geographic distribution of migration in butterflies is poorly resolved, with most data so far coming from Europe, USA, and Australia. Migration is much more widespread in butterflies than previously realised – extending far beyond the well‐known examples of the monarchDanaus plexippusand the painted ladyVanessa cardui– and actions to conserve butterflies and insects in general must account for the spatial dependencies introduced by migratory movements.
Editorial: A Vision of a Fair and Efficient, Diverse and Inclusive, Cumulative Science of Child Development in the Best and Worst of Times
Authors: Roisman Glenn I.
Published: March 2021

If you have come here in search of the submission requirements at Child Development, this is perhaps not the editorial you are looking for. Consider visiting instead our revised instructions to authors. Nor does this essay simply detail the priorities of the incoming board and the initiatives we will be implementing over the next 6 years, though these are summarized in Table 1. Rather, this editorial was written to articulate clearly the scientific values underlying current plans and policies at the journal in support of publishing the highest quality and highest impact research on child development. I emphasize two interrelated themes: (a) our plans for continuing to emphasize and enhance diversity and inclusion in research on child development and (b) our policies that remove impediments to cumulative developmental science. Discussion focuses primarily on how we are incentivizing efforts to achieve these widely held yet too often neglected goals, taking as its point of departure emerging challenges to a fair and efficient editorial process at the journal. In so doing, I mean to highlight the essential work of continuously cultivating editorial structures that firmly embed in developmental science fundamental scientific values, principles that make it possible for research on child development to flourish in both the best and worst of times.
Fatigue: A forgotten symptom of asthma
Authors: Günaydın Fatma Esra , Ediger Dane , Erbay Müge
Published: March 2021

Objective

Fatigue is a common symptom frequently reported in many disorders but little is known about the prevalence of fatigue in asthma. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of fatigue in asthmatic patients, the effect of fatigue on asthma quality of life and the relationship between fatigue and anxiety/depression

Materials and methods

This prospective cross‐sectional study was conducted in Uludağ University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Immunology and Allergic Diseases outpatient clinic from June 2019 to December 2019. Fatigue was assessed using the Checklist Individual Strength‐Fatigue (CIS‐Fatigue), psychological distress was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and quality of life were assessed using the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ).

Results

In the present study, a total of 168 patients are included with an average age of 43.8 ± 4.3 years. Nearly 64.8% of patients had controlled asthma and (35.2%) patients had uncontrolled asthma. Fatigue (CIS‐Fatigue ≥ 27 points) was detected in 62.6% of patients and associated with asthma‐related quality of life, asthma control, dyspnea, depression and anxiety (P < 0.05). However, the degree of lung function impairment and asthma severity were not associated with fatigue.

Conclusions

Fatigue as a symptom is common in asthmatic patients and correlates with asthma‐related quality of life, asthma control, dyspnea, depression and anxiety. Future studies are needed to better understand the physical, psychological, behavioural and systemic factors that precipitate or perpetuate fatigue in asthma.
American Lutheran arguments about slavery
Authors: Erling Maria
Published: March 2021

19th century Lutherans in the United States confronted the presence of slavery not only as a social condition but as a theological challenge. Immigrants who formed Lutheran churches and gathered into synods also had to choose alliances among the Lutheran groups already present. Most traditional histories of this process of denominational formation focus on the confessional standpoints of the various groups, but underneath and hovering over these discussions of theology and doctrine were positions on antislavery movements and the coming of the Civil War. These social realities affected the theological formation of Lutheranism in the United States.
MicroRNA‐122 contributes to lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute kidney injury via down‐regulating the vitamin D receptor in the kidney
Authors: He Jinrong , Du Jie , Yi Bin , Wang Jianwen , Zhang Hao , Li Yan Chun , Sun Jian
Published: March 2021

Background

Our previous studies showed that vitamin D receptor (VDR) depletion promotes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice, and renal VDR is down‐regulated in AKI, but the mechanism of VDR down‐regulation is unclear.

Methods

Nutritional vitamin D deficiency was induced by feeding mice a vitamin D‐deficient (VD‐D) diet. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with LPS (20 mg/kg) to establish LPS‐induced AKI. Levels of VDR and miR‐122 were measured both in vivo and in vitro. The associations between VDR and miR‐122 were analysed by dual‐luciferase reporter assays.

Results

Compared with vitamin D‐sufficient (VD‐S) mice, VD‐D mice developed more severe renal injury following LPS challenge. LPS induced a dramatic decrease in VDR expression and marked induction of miR‐122 both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, miR‐122 hairpin inhibitor alleviated LPS‐induced VDR down‐regulation whereas miR‐122 mimic directly suppressed VDR expression in HK‐2 cells. In luciferase reporter assays, miR‐122 mimic was able to suppress luciferase activity in 293T cells co‐transfected with a luciferase reporter that contains a putative miR‐122 target site from 3′UTR of the VDR transcript, but not when this site was mutated. Moreover, miR‐122 mimic significantly blocked paricalcitol‐induced luciferase activity in 293T cells co‐transfected with a VDRE‐driven luciferase reporter, whereas miR‐122 hairpin inhibitor enhanced paricalcitol's activity to suppress PUMA and caspase 3 activation induced by LPS in HK‐2 cells.

Conclusions

Collectively, these studies provide evidence that miR‐122 directly targets VDR in renal tubular cells, which strongly suggest that miR‐122 up‐regulation in the kidney under LPS challenge contributes to kidney injury by down‐regulating VDR expression.
Increased motor variability facilitates motor learning in weight shift toward the paretic side during walking in individuals post‐stroke
Authors: Park Seoung Hoon , Hsu Chao‐Jung , Lin Jui‐Te , Dee Weena , Roth Elliot J. , Rymer William Z. , Wu Ming
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to determine whether applying “varied” versus constant pelvis assistance force mediolaterally toward the paretic side of stroke survivors during walking would result in short‐term improvement in weight shift toward the paretic side. Twelve individuals post‐stroke (60.4 ± 6.2 years; gait speed: 0.53 ± 0.19 m/s) were tested under two conditions (varied vs. constant). Each condition was conducted in a single separate session, which consisted of (a) treadmill walking with no assistance force for 1 min (baseline), pelvis assistance toward the paretic side for 9 min (adaptation), and then no force for additional 1 min (post‐adaptation), and (b) overground walking. In the “varied” condition, the magnitude of force was randomly changed across steps between 30% and 100% of the predetermined amount. In the abrupt condition, the magnitude of force was kept constant at 100% of the predetermined amount. Participants exhibited greater improvements in weight shift toward the paretic side (p < 0.01) and in muscle activity of plantar flexors and hip adductors of the paretic leg (p = 0.02) from baseline to late post‐adaptation period for the varied condition than for the constant condition. Motor variability of the peak pelvis displacement at baseline was correlated with improvement in weight shift toward the paretic side after training for the varied (R2 = 0.64, p = 0.01) and the constant condition (R2 = 0.39, p = 0.03). These findings suggest that increased motor variability, induced by applying the varied pelvis assistance, may facilitate motor learning in weight shift and gait symmetry during walking in individuals post‐stroke.
Warming induces divergent stomatal dynamics in co‐occurring boreal trees
Authors: Dusenge Mirindi E. , Ward Eric J. , Warren Jeffrey M. , Stinziano Joseph R. , Wullschleger Stan D. , Hanson Paul J. , Way Danielle A.
Published: March 2021

Climate warming will alter photosynthesis and respiration not only via direct temperature effects on leaf biochemistry but also by increasing atmospheric dryness, thereby reducing stomatal conductance and suppressing photosynthesis. Our knowledge on how climate warming affects these processes is mainly derived from seedlings grown under highly controlled conditions. However, little is known regarding temperature responses of trees growing under field settings. We exposed mature tamarack and black spruce trees growing in a peatland ecosystem to whole‐ecosystem warming of up to +9°C above ambient air temperatures in an ongoing long‐term experiment (SPRUCE: Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments). Here, we report the responses of leaf gas exchange after the first two years of warming. We show that the two species exhibit divergent stomatal responses to warming and vapor pressure deficit. Warming of up to 9°C increased leaf N in both spruce and tamarack. However, higher leaf N in the warmer plots translate into higher photosynthesis in tamarack but not in spruce, with photosynthesis being more constrained by stomatal limitations in spruce than in tamarack under warm conditions. Surprisingly, dark respiration did not acclimate to warming in spruce, and thermal acclimation of respiration was only seen in tamarack once changes in leaf N were considered. Our results highlight how warming can lead to differing stomatal responses to warming in co‐occurring species, with consequent effects on both vegetation carbon and water dynamics.
Difficulty in activities of daily living and falls in patients undergoing hemodialysis: A cross‐sectional study with nondialysis controls
Authors: Matsufuji Shota , Shoji Tetsuo , Yano Yoshiaki , Tamaru Asako , Tsuchikura Shoko , Miyabe Mizuki , Kishimoto Hiroshi , Tsujimoto Yoshihiro , Emoto Masanori
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Impaired activities of daily living (ADL) and falls are important issues in hemodialysis patients. So far, information is limited regarding self‐reported difficulty with ADL (ADL difficulty) in hemodialysis patients. Then, we compared the degree of ADL difficulty and the prevalence of fallers between hemodialysis patients and a nondialyzed control group. Also, the possible association between ADL difficulty and falls was examined.

Methods

This was a single center, cross‐sectional study including two groups of outpatients aged 50 years or older; 209 prevalent hemodialysis patients, and 139 nonrenal patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and/or dyslipidemia (control group). ADL difficulty score was evaluated by a 48‐item questionnaire including six subscales of ADLs namely locomotion, eating, toileting, dressing, bathing, and grooming. Experience of falls in the previous year period was examined by a questionnaire.

Findings

The two groups did not differ significantly in age or sex. The hemodialysis group had a higher median (interquartile range) total score of ADL difficulty than the control group [10 (2–39) vs. 2 (0–10); p < 0.001] and a higher prevalence of fallers (73/209, 34.9% vs. 16/139, 11.5%; p < 0.001). In multivariable‐adjusted linear regression analyses, history of falls was independently associated with a higher score of ADL difficulty for total or each of the six subscales.

Discussion

The hemodialysis patients had a significantly higher ADL difficulty and a higher prevalence of fallers than the control group. Self‐reported ADL difficulty and falls were closely linked regardless of the patient group.
On the Death of God in Lacan – A Nuanced Atheism
Authors: Dalzell Tom
Published: March 2021

This article examines the death of God theme in the work of Jacques Lacan and indicates some convergences with Christian theology. It distinguishes the ‘atheism’ of Lacan from the atheism of Freud. And it demonstrates that if Lacan does not believe in the God equated with Being, the God of the philosophers, the later Lacan’s argument for what he calls the ‘eksistence’ of God beyond language, the God of the mystics, makes for a highly nuanced atheism.
Legal liability, audit manpower allocation and audit quality: Evidence from Japan
Authors: Chi Wuchun , Pan Chien‐min Kevin
Published: March 2021

This study investigates the consequences of an audit firm switching its organizational structure from an unlimited liability general partnership (GP) to a limited liability partnership (LLP). We do this by taking advantage of a unique characteristic of audit practice in Japan, whereby audit firms conventionally assign two or more signing partners for each audit engagement, and the data for audit fees and the composition of the engagement team are also available. The empirical results show that the number of signing partners decreases whereas audit fees increase after audit firms switch from a GP to an LLP. In addition, the number of experienced staff with CPA licenses assigned to an audit engagement increases after the organizational structure change. Finally, we identify no consequences for measures used in prior studies to proxy for audit quality after audit firms switch to an LLP.
Surgical treatment for prostatic utricle cyst in children: A single‐center report of 15 patients
Authors: Dai Li‐Na , He Rong , Wu Shao‐Feng , Zhao Hai‐Teng , Sun Jie
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To report our single‐center experience of the management of children with prostatic utricle cysts.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 15 children who were incidentally found to have a prostatic utricle cyst and were admitted to our department between October 2013 and August 2020. Clinical characteristics and management were collected and catalogued.

Results

Recurrent genitourinary tract infections were the most frequent complaint, and two‐thirds of patients also had hypospadias. A connection between the posterior urethra and the prostatic utricle cyst was found in all cases. Two patients directly had their progressively enlarging prostatic utricle cyst resected laparoscopically. Endoscopic techniques were used in 13 patients, two of whom underwent laparoscopic excision for repeated symptoms. The mean (range) follow‐up period was 34.9 (2–82) months. No recurrences were observed in four patients who underwent prostatic utricle cyst excision and eight patients who received endoscopic treatment. Three patients had recurrent symptoms after endoscopic treatment and were managed by nonsurgical treatment.

Conclusions

Prostatic utricle cyst is a rare disease which can cause recurrent genitourinary tract infections. Extra attention should be paid to evaluation for prostatic utricle cyst in children with external genital anomalies. Retrograde urethrogram and magnetic resonance imaging are useful tools with which to distinguish prostatic utricle cyst from other cystic lesions that are located in the midline pelvis in male patients. Individualized treatment is appropriate when considering fertility preservation, recurrences and malignancy. Laparoscopic excision is feasible for symptomatic and large prostatic utricle cyst. Regular long‐term monitoring is recommended for all patients with prostatic utricle cyst.
Experience with negative‐pressure wound therapy with instillation in complex infected orthopaedic wounds
Authors: Elhessy Ahmed H. , Chaudhry Arif R. , Hammouda Ahmed I. , Giacobbe Shawn D. , Gesheff Martin G. , Conway Janet D.
Published: March 2021

Chronic exudative wounds are frequently seen in hospitalised patients, consuming hospital resources and leading to increased morbidity. Negative‐pressure therapy (NPWT) with topical instillation “NPWTi” may be used to improve the wound healing process, with the unique features (removal of wound exudate, edema reduction, promotion of tissue perfusion and granulation tissue formation, as well as drawing the edges of the wound to facilitate, in addition to the cyclic cleansing mechanism). This report is a descriptive study of our experience with NPWTi on complex infected orthopaedic wounds as a potential method to decrease the need for multiple surgical debridements required for the closure of such wounds. A prospective observational study was conducted. Twenty patients with complex infected orthopaedic wounds were enrolled in our study. These patients were consulted by the Bone and Joint Infection Service and enrolled to receive NPWTi intraoperatively and to be used during their inpatient stay. Twenty patients with 20 complex infected lower limb wounds were included in our study. Of all the 20 wounds, the etiology was post‐surgical in 80% (n = 16) and post‐traumatic in 20% (n = 4). None of the patients received previous treatment with conventional NPWT before participation in the study. There were 11 males (55%) and 9 females (45%) with an average age of 57 years (22‐83). All wounds were located in the lower limbs, with 25% leg (n = 5), 20% thigh (n = 4), 20% knee (n = 4), 20% foot (n = 4), 10% heel (n = 2), and 5% ankle (n = 1). The average length of treatment with NPWTi was 5.2 days (2‐10). Successful wound closure within 6 weeks was achieved in 65% of the cases (n = 13). Of the closed wounds (n = 13), 54% (n = 7) were closed primarily and 46% (n = 6) were closed by secondary procedures (skin graft or skin flap). NPWTi is still considered a novel technique that can be used in the management of complex wounds, and the goal of this prospective study is to report our experience with NPWTi in the management of complex infected orthopaedic lower limb wounds. Randomised control studies with optimally matched wounds comparing NPWTi to the conventional methods of treatment are warranted.
Efficacy of a combination of hypnosis and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for chronic non‐cancer pain: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tonye‐Geoffroy Louise , Mauboussin Carlos Stéphanie , Tuffet Sophie , Fromentin Hélène , Berard Laurence , Leblanc Judith , Laroche Françoise
Published: March 2021

Background

Chronic non‐cancer pain, which persists for at least three months, seriously affects quality of life. Chronic non‐cancer pain patients are usually managed by a multidisciplinary team using pharmacological and non‐pharmacological strategies. Nurses perform transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and hypnosis, which are widely used in France for the treatment of chronic pain in pain departments.

Objective

To assess pain relief at three months, comparing a simultaneous combination of hypnosis and TENS (intervention) with TENS alone (control).

Design

Randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Patients aged 18–80 years, suffering from chronic peripheral neuropathic and/or nociceptive non‐cancer pain were included (September 2013 to May 2017) and followed for six months. The primary outcome was the pain intensity difference (by visual analog scale score) between month 3 and baseline. The secondary outcomes, assessed at months 3 and 6, were SF36 score, analgesics consumption and number of TENS sessions performed at home (last seven days).

Results

Seventy‐two patients were included, suffering from a combination of chronic non‐cancer nociceptive and neuropathic pain, with a mean pain intensity of about sixty out of a hundred. The results show an important pain reduction (forty percent) in both groups at 3 months. No significant difference was observed between the control and intervention groups. Similarly, SF36 score, change in analgesic intake and patient compliance did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusions

This is the first randomized controlled study showing a decrease of pain intensity and a high level of compliance with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone or associated to hypnosis. The combination does not seem to be more efficient than transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation alone. Chronic non‐cancer pain remains a major issue and a substantial proportion of patients do not appear to benefit from interventions.

Impact

This study increases our understanding of the combination of two non‐pharmacological methods in chronic non‐cancer pain patients. The combination of the two non‐pharmacological strategies did not appear to be more efficient than one alone. Further research on non‐pharmacological treatments targeting to patient's characteristics are needed to find appropriate strategies in patients with complex multidimensional pain conditions.

Clinical Trial Number: NCT01944150 (Sept. 17, 2013).