bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of diuretics on plasma renin activity in primary hypertension: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: McNally Ryan J. , Faconti Luca , Cecelja Marina , Farukh Bushra , Floyd Christopher N. , Chowienczyk Philip J.
Published: October 2020

Aims

Plasma renin activity (PRA) is regarded as a marker of sodium and fluid homeostasis in patients with primary hypertension. Whether effects of diuretics on PRA differ according to class of diuretic, whether diuretics lead to a sustained increase in PRA, and whether changes in PRA relate to those in blood pressure (BP) is unknown. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of trials investigating the antihypertensive effects of diuretic therapy in which PRA and/or other biomarkers of fluid homeostasis were measured before and after treatment.

Methods

Three databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Titles were firstly screened by title and abstract for relevancy before full‐text articles were assessed for eligibility according to a predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Results

A total of 1684 articles were retrieved of which 61 met the prespecified inclusion/exclusion criteria. PRA was measured in 30/61 studies. Diuretics led to a sustained increase in PRA which was similar for different classes of diuretic (standardised mean difference [95% confidence interval] 0.481 [0.362, 0.601], 0.729 [0.181, 1.28], 0.541 [0.253, 0.830] and 0.548 [0.159, 0.937] for thiazide, loop, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists/potassium‐sparing and combination diuretics respectively, Q = 0.897, P = .826), and did not relate to the average decrease in blood pressure.

Conclusion

In antihypertensive drug trials, diuretics lead to a sustained increase in average PRA, which is similar across different classes of diuretic and unrelated to the average reduction in blood pressure.
Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus) supplements: Case series assessment of spontaneously reported cases to The Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Centre Lareb
Authors: Vrolijk Misha F. , van de Koppel Sonja , van Hunsel Florence
Published: October 2020

Serious concerns are expressed on the safe use of red yeast rice (RYR) supplements. The aim of the present study was to analyse cases received by Lareb on RYR‐related adverse health events. These cases were analysed for the number of reports, number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), causality, seriousness of the reaction, latency‐period, age and sex of the patients, concomitant medication and type of reporter. A total of 94 individual reports were collected by Lareb, corresponding with 187 ADRs. The analysis showed most reported ADRs were labelled musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders (n = 64), gastrointestinal disorders (n = 33) and general disorders and administration site conditions (n = 23). The use of RYR supplements should be considered as a significant safety concern. Exposure to monacolin K could lead to serious adverse effects. To fully assess the safety profile of RYR supplements, more research is necessary to compose a complete ADR profile of RYR supplements.
The Effects of Minimum Wage Policy on the Long‐Term Care Sector in England
Authors: Vadean Florin , Allan Stephen
Published: October 2020

The increase in the National Minimum Wage rate in October 2015 and the introduction of the National Living Wage in April 2016 led, in a short period of time, to an aggregated increase in the wage floor of over 10 per cent for workers in England aged 25 and over. The long‐term care (LTC) sector is a labour intensive, low pay sector, and as such, can be substantially affected by changes in minimum wage. We assessed the effects of this exogenous wage increase on independent LTC providers by looking at effects on wages, employment, weekly hours, and employment contracts. Using data from the Adult Social Care Workforce Data Set (ASC‐WDS) and applying a ‘before‐after’ analysis, we found that the substantial increase in minimum wage had a strong and positive effect on wages in the LTC sector, but with substantial compression of the wage distribution at the lower end. Although, as in other studies, the employment effect was rather elusive, we found that for care homes this can be partially explained by a negative effect on total weekly hours. We also found positive but short‐term effects on employment without guaranteed working hours (i.e. zero‐hour contracts) for both residential and domiciliary care.
Somapsyche
Authors: Carvalho Richard
Published: October 2020

‘Psyche’ has no independent existence as an entity. It is a portmanteau term in which one function (‘psyche’ = breath) among those specified by Aristotle as indicating life – respiration, is used metonymically (pars pro toto) to signify just that: life; animation. Most of these functions are present in life forms from bacteria up; in humans Aristotle included perception and imagination. The acquisition of ‘mind’ and the conversion of affect into what is familiar to a particular culture as ‘emotion’ is largely social and a function of parental mediation. Where this is absolutely absent as in Ceaușescu's orphanages both brain development and the acquisition of mind are severely compromised. Less catastrophic failures induce lesser failures, and the resulting expressions may take somatic form, as they may have affects in cultures which have no equivalent semantic concept. I suggest that this might be better expressed in terms of somatapsychic expression than psychosomatic.
Factor H‐related protein 1: a complement regulatory protein and guardian of necrotic‐type surfaces
Authors: Skerka Christine , Pradel Gabriele , Halder Luke D. , Zipfel Peter F. , Zipfel Svante L.H. , Strauß Olaf
Published: October 2020

Factor H‐related protein 1 (FHR‐1) is a member of the factor H protein family, which is involved in regulating innate immune complement reactions. Genetic modification of the encoding gene, CFHR1 on human chromosome 1, is involved in diseases such as age‐related macular degeneration, C3 glomerulopathy and atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome, indicating an important role for FHR‐1 in human health. Recent research data demonstrate that FHR‐1 levels increase in IgA nephropathy and anti‐neutrophilic cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) vasculitis and that FHR‐1 induces strong inflammation in monocytes on necrotic‐type surfaces, suggesting a complement‐independent role. These new results increase our knowledge about the role of this complement protein in pathology and provide a new therapeutic target, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases induced by necrosis. This review summarizes current knowledge about FHR‐1 and discusses its role in complement reactions and inflammation.

Linked Articles

This article is part of a themed issue on Canonical and non‐canonical functions of the complement system in health and disease. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.14/issuetoc
CD24, not CD47, negatively impacts upon response to PD‐1/L1 inhibitors in non–small‐cell lung cancer with PD‐L1 tumor proportion score < 50
Authors: Ozawa Yuichi , Harutani Yuhei , Oyanagi Jun , Akamatsu Hiroaki , Murakami Eriko , Shibaki Ryota , Hayata Atsushi , Sugimoto Takeya , Tanaka Masanori , Takakura Toshiaki , Furuta Katsuyuki , Okuda Yuka , Sato Kouichi , Teraoka Shunsuke , Ueda Hiroki , Tokudome Nahomi , Kitamura Yuka , Fukuoka Junya , Nakanishi Masanori , Koh Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: October 2020

CD24, a heavily glycosylated glycosylphosphatidylinositol–anchored surface protein, inhibits phagocytosis as potently as CD47. The relationship between such anti‐phagocytic factors and the immune response with immune–checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) remains unexplored. We evaluated CD24 and CD47 tumor proportion scores (TPS) in 68 of the 106 patients with advanced non–small‐cell lung cancer who participated in a prospective observational study of ICI treatment. We also explored the impact of CD24 TPS and CD47 TPS on ICI efficacy and serum cytokine changes. CD24 positivity (TPS ≥ 1) was negatively associated with progression–free survival (PFS) of ICI when PD‐L1 TPS was < 50 (median PFS; 37 vs 127 d, P = .033), but there was no association when PD‐L1 TPS was ≥ 50 (median PFS; 494 vs 144 d, P = .168). CD24 positivity was also related to significantly higher increase of CCL2 from baseline to 4‐6 wk later, and such increase was notably observed only when PD‐L1 TPS < 50 (P = .0004). CCL2 increase after ICI initiation was negatively predictive for survival after initiation of ICI (median survival time; not reached vs 233 d; P = .028). CD47 TPS high (≥60) significantly suppressed the increase in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A, D and PDGF‐AB/BB after ICI initiation. There was no association, however, between CD47 tumor expression and the efficacy of ICI. In conclusion, CD24, not CD47, is a candidate negative predictive marker of ICI in advanced, non–small‐cell lung cancer with PD‐L1 TPS < 50. Tumor expression of both CD24 and CD47 was associated with changes in factors related to monocytes and angiogenesis after ICI initiation (UMIN000024414).
Alterations in intrinsic functional networks in Parkinson’s disease patients with depression: A resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Qiu Yi‐Hui , Huang Zhi‐Heng , Gao Yu‐Yuan , Feng Shu‐Jun , Huang Biao , Wang Wan‐Yi , Xu Qi‐Huan , Zhao Jie‐Hao , Zhang Yu‐Hu , Wang Li‐Min , Nie Kun , Wang Li‐Juan
Published: October 2020

Aims

The aim of this research was to investigate the alterations in functional brain networks and to assess the relationship between depressive impairment and topological network changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with depression (DPD).

Methods

Twenty‐two DPD patients, 23 PD patients without depression (NDPD), and 25 matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. All participants were examined by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. Graph theoretical analysis and network‐based statistic methods were used to analyze brain network topological properties and abnormal subnetworks, respectively.

Results

The DPD group showed significantly decreased local efficiency compared with the HC group (P = .008, FDR corrected). In nodal metrics analyses, the degree of the right inferior occipital gyrus (P = .0001, FDR corrected) was positively correlated with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores in the DPD group. Meanwhile, the temporal visual cortex, including the bilateral middle temporal gyri and right inferior temporal gyrus in the HC and NDPD groups and the left posterior cingulate gyrus in the NDPD group, was defined as hub region, but not in the DPD group. Compared with the HC group, the DPD group had extensive weakening of connections between the temporal‐occipital visual cortex and the prefrontal‐limbic network.

Conclusions

These results suggest that PD depression is associated with disruptions in the topological organization of functional brain networks, mainly involved the temporal‐occipital visual cortex and the posterior cingulate gyrus and may advance our current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying DPD.
Dyeing properties on polyurethane fibres of novel azo disperse dyes prepared from a four‐component Ugi reaction
Authors: Li Huanhuan , Feng Gaofeng , Fang Shuaijun , Qian HongFei
Published: October 2020

A new group of azo disperse dyes prepared by the Ugi four‐component reaction were used to dye polyurethane fibres. It was found that all the new dyes showed excellent fastness properties. One of the new dyes was selected to investigate the adsorption properties on polyurethane fibres, including the dyeing rate, adsorption isotherm, surface adsorption state, colour characteristics and colour fastness. The results were compared with those of CI Disperse Orange 3, which has the same parent structure as the new dye. The results indicated that the new dye has a lower dyeing rate and solubility but a higher affinity and adsorption capacity than the conventional dye due to its larger molecular weight and size. In addition, the aggregation of the new dye on the surface of polyurethane fibres occurred at higher concentrations whereas the conventional dyes aggregated at a lower concentration, resulting in lower colour fastness. This demonstrates that these new dyes derived from the Ugi four‐component reaction are worth developing further and are of great application value for polyurethane fibres.
Regulating Over‐indebtedness: Local State Power in Cambodia's Microfinance Market
Authors: Green W. Nathan
Published: October 2020

Cambodian microfinance borrowers are suffering from an over‐indebtedness crisis. In the past 20 years, the Cambodian government has implemented financial reforms that have commercialized the microfinance sector and promoted industry self‐regulation. Echoing long‐standing concerns about neoliberal microfinance, critics maintain that these reforms have hollowed out the Cambodian state's ability to regulate a highly competitive market, thereby exacerbating the problem of over‐indebtedness. In contrast, based upon 20 months of ethnographic research in southern Cambodia by the author, this article argues that the microfinance market would not function without local authorities performing key regulatory roles of the state. These local authorities include commune councillors — elected representatives of multiple villages — who work closely with village leaders and local police. They are the primary state actors who enforce the property rights and loan contracts upon which Cambodia's microfinance market depends. The author analyses how this local state regulation contributes to household indebtedness by encouraging multiple borrowing, rural out‐migration and land repossession. The article advances development studies scholarship on over‐indebtedness by demonstrating that the inequitable outcomes of neoliberal microfinance can be better understood, and contested, by interrogating the multi‐scalar spaces of state regulatory power.
Prenatal cytomegalovirus, rubella, and Zika virus infections associated with developmental disabilities: past, present, and future
Authors: Gordon‐Lipkin Eliza , Hoon Alexander , Pardo Carlos A
Published: October 2020

Prenatal infections have long been recognized as important, preventable causes of developmental disabilities. The list of pathogens that are recognized to have deleterious effects on fetal brain development continues to grow, most recently with the association between Zika virus (ZIKV) and microcephaly. To answer clinical questions in real time about the impact of a novel infection on developmental disabilities, an historical framework is key. The lessons learned from three historically important pathogens: rubella, cytomegalovirus, and ZIKV, and how these lessons are useful to approach emerging congenital infections are discussed in this review. Congenital infections are preventable causes of developmental disabilities and several public health approaches may be used to prevent prenatal infection. When they cannot be prevented, the sequelae of prenatal infection may be treatable.

What this paper adds

The list of prenatal infections associated with developmental disabilities continues to increase.

Lessons learned from rubella, cytomegalovirus, and Zika virus have implications for new pathogens.

Severity of illness in the mother does not correlate with severity of sequelae in the infant.
Assessment of right ventricular function following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation—The role of speckle‐tracking echocardiography: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Barssoum Kirolos , Altibi Ahmed M. , Rai Devesh , Kharsa Adnan , Kumar Ashish , Chowdhury Medhat , Elkaryoni Ahmed , Abuzaid Ahmed Sami , Baibhav Bipul , Parikh Vishal , Masri Ahmad , Amsallem Myriam , Nanda Navin C.
Published: October 2020

Background

Right ventricular failure (RVF) following left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is associated with worse outcomes. Prediction of RVF is difficult with routine transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), while speckle‐tracking echocardiography (STE) showed promising results. We performed systematic review and meta‐analysis of published literature.

Methods

We queried multiple databases to compile articles reporting preoperative or intraoperative right ventricle global longitudinal strain (RVGLS) or right ventricle free wall strain (RVFWS) in LVAD recipients. The standard mean difference (SMD) in RVGLS and RVFWS in patients with and without RVF postoperatively was pooled using random‐effects model.

Results

Seventeen studies were included. Patients with RVF had significantly lower RVGLS and RVFWS as compared to non‐RVF patients; SMD: 2.79 (95% CI: −4.07 to −1.50; P: <.001) and −3.05 (95% CI: −4.11 to −1.99; P: <.001), respectively. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for RVF per percentage increase of RVGLS and RVFWS were 1.10 (95 CI: 0.98–1.25) and 1.63 (95% CI 1.07–2.47), respectively. In a subgroup analysis, TTE‐derived GLS and FWS were significantly lower in RVF patients as compared to non‐RVF patients; SMD of −3.97 (95% CI: −5.40 to −2.54; P: <.001) and −3.05 (95% CI: −4.11 to −1.99; P: <.001), respectively. There was no significant difference between RVF and non‐RVF groups in TEE‐derived RVGLS and RVFWS.

Conclusion

RVGLS and RVFWS were lower in patients who developed RVF as compared to non‐RVF patients. In a subgroup analysis, TTE‐derived RVGLS and RVFWS were reduced in RVF patients as compared to non‐RVF patients. This difference was not reported with TEE.
Starting stiripentol in adults with Dravet syndrome? Watch for ammonia and carnitine
Authors: Zulfiqar Ali Quratulain , Marques Paula , Selvarajah Arunan , Tabarestani Sepideh , Sadoway Tara , Andrade Danielle M.
Published: October 2020

Objective

Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare cause of severe and pharmacoresistant epileptic encephalopathy. Stiripentol (STP) has a significant therapeutic benefit in the pediatric DS population. However, STP effects on adult patients have not been well studied. In our adult STP‐naive DS patient population, STP initiation was associated with encephalopathy, despite decreases in valproate and clobazam dosage. Here we explored the cause and treatment of encephalopathic manifestations associated with STP in adults.

Methods

Twenty‐eight patients with a confirmed clinical and genetic diagnosis of DS who attended the Adult Epilepsy Genetics Clinic were identified retrospectively. Patients who declined or discontinued STP after fewer than 3 months of use, patients who were deceased before starting STP or seizure‐free when the genetic diagnosis was confirmed, and those who started STP before leaving the pediatric system (<18 years) were excluded. Levels of ammonia, carnitine, and other anti‐epileptic drugs (AEDs) were observed for patients receiving STP. Patients with high ammonia levels who received carnitine supplementation were reevaluated. They were also offered an increased dosage of stiripentol if treatment with carnitine improved the encephalopathy.

Results

We observed hyperammonemic encephalopathy in 77% of patients treated with STP. In seven of nine patients, we observed a rate of improvement in ammonia levels of 35% (95% confidence interval [CI] 21%–49%) at a mean carnitine dose of 991 ± 286 mg/d (range 660‐1320 mg/d). Five patients whose ammonia levels normalized were also offered an increase in STP dose and they were able to tolerate higher doses with improvement in side effects. Despite such adjustments, the mean maximum stiripentol dose reached was 14.89 ± 8.72 mg/kg/d, which is lower than what is typically recommended in children (50 mg/kg/d).

Significance

We report hyperammonemia in adult STP‐naive patients who were on valproate and clobazam, despite dose reduction of the latter drugs. We also report that treatment with carnitine improved hyperammonemia, allowing the continuation of STP.
European small pelagic fish distribution under global change scenarios
Authors: Schickele Alexandre , Goberville Eric , Leroy Boris , Beaugrand Gregory , Hattab Tarek , Francour Patrice , Raybaud Virginie
Published: October 2020

The spectre of increasing impacts on exploited fish stocks in consequence of warmer climate conditions has become a major concern over the last decades. It is now imperative to improve the way we project the effects of future climate warming on fisheries. While estimating future climate‐induced changes in fish distribution is an important contribution to sustainable resource management, the impacts on European small pelagic fish—representing over 50% of the landings in the Mediterranean and Black Sea between 2000 and 2013—are yet largely understudied. Here, we investigated potential changes in the spatial distribution of seven of the most harvested small pelagic fish species in Europe under several climate change scenarios over the 21st century. For each species, we considered eight Species Distribution Models (SDMs), five General Circulation Models (GCMs) and three emission scenarios (the IPCC Representative Concentration Pathways; RCPs). Under all scenarios, our results revealed that the environmental suitability for most of the seven species may strongly decrease in the Mediterranean and western North Sea while increasing in the Black and Baltic Seas. This potential northward range expansion of species is supported by a strong convergence among projections and a low variability between RCPs. Under the most pessimistic scenario (RCP8.5), climate‐related local extinctions were expected in the south‐eastern Mediterranean basin. Our results highlight that a multi‐SDM, multi‐GCM, multi‐RCP approach is needed to produce more robust ecological scenarios of changes in exploited fish stocks in order to better anticipate the economic and social consequences of global climate change.
Post‐Soviet shifts in grazing and fire regimes changed the functional plant community composition on the Eurasian steppe
Authors: Freitag Martin , Kamp Johannes , Dara Andrey , Kuemmerle Tobias , Sidorova Tatyana V. , Stirnemann Ingrid A. , Velbert Frederike , Hölzel Norbert
Published: October 2020

Globally, grasslands are shaped by grazing and fire, and grassland plants are adapted to these disturbances. However, temperate grasslands have been hotspots of land‐use change, and how such changes affect interrelations between herbivory, fire and vegetation are poorly understood. Such land‐use changes are widespread on the Eurasian steppe, where the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 triggered the abandonment of cropland and pasture on globally relevant scales. Thus, to determine how relationships between plant functional composition, grazing and fire patterns changed after the Soviet Union dissolved, we studied a 358,000 km2 region in the dry steppe of Kazakhstan, combining a large field dataset on plant functional traits with multi‐scale satellite data. We found that increases in burned area corresponded to decreases in livestock grazing across large areas. Furthermore, fires occurred more often with high cover of grasses with high leaf dry matter content and thus higher flammability, whereas higher grazing pressure favoured grazing‐tolerant woody forbs and ruderal plants with high specific leaf area. The current situation of low grazing pressure represents a historically exceptional, potentially non‐analogue state. We suggest that the dissolution of the Soviet Union caused the disturbance regime to shift from grazer to fire control. As grazing and fire each result in different plant functional compositions, we propose that this led to widespread increases in grasses and associated changes in steppe plant community structure. These changes have potentially occurred across an area of more than 2 million km2, representing much of the world's largest temperate grassland area, with globally relevant, yet poorly understood implications for biodiversity and ecosystem functions such as carbon cycling. Additionally, future steppe management must also consider positive implications of abandonment (‘rewilding’) because reverting the regime shift in disturbance and associated changes in vegetation would require grazing animals to be reintroduced across vast areas.
Impact of the interaction between mild and mild‐to‐moderate cognitive impairment with chronic health problems on hospital admission among community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Amini Reza , Kawser Bushra
Published: October 2020

Aim

This study aims to examine the effect of concurrent mild and mild‐to‐moderate cognitive impairment with chronic diseases on hospital admission (HA) among community‐dwelling older adults.

Method

The National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011–2018), with 1225 respondents (each wave), were used. The number of HAs within 1 year was the outcome. Clock drawing test, delayed word recall test, self‐reported chronic diseases and their interactions were the independent variables.

Results

The effect of cognitive impairment on the frequency of HAs varies for executive function and memory impairment. Executive function impairment concurrent with the history of heart attack or diabetes mellitus (DM) can increase the risk of HAs. Memory impairment concurrent with hypertension, DM or stroke can increase the chance of HAs.

Conclusion

Screening to identify mild and mild‐to‐moderate cognitive impairment at the time of admission can help to reduce the risk of rehospitalization, particularly for patients with DM, hypertension, stroke and heart attack. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 1213–1220.
“The long arm of the household”: Gendered struggles in combining paid work with social and civil participation over the lifecourse
Authors: Parry Jane , Brookfield Katherine , Bolton Vicki
Published: October 2020

Successfully combining paid work and various forms of social and civil participation is commonly assumed to be beneficial to both individuals and society. However, integrating these aspects can be difficult, partly because they can be connected through relationships that operate in opposing directions. Combining paid work and participation over the long term can be especially challenging, as the factors informing each continuously evolve. This balancing act may be particularly difficult for women who, relative to men, often manage greater caring responsibilities alongside work. To build understanding of these matters, we weave together the participation and work‐related content of the UK's National Child Development Study and the associated Social Participation and Identity Study (2008). Using TSOL (total social organization of labor), we unpack a bidirectional relationship between these items and highlight the importance of household dynamics and gender. Paid work's flexibility, autonomy, predictability, and intensity also emerge as important elements in achieving a sustainable work–participation balance.
Constraining a Flow Model with Field Measurements to Assess Water Transit Time Through a Vadose Zone
Authors: Boumaiza Lamine , Chesnaux Romain , Walter Julien , Stumpp Christine
Published: October 2020

The modeling of thick vadose zones is particularly challenging because of difficulties in collecting a variety of measured sediment properties, which are required for parameterizing the model. Some models rely on synthetic data, whereas others are simplified by running as homogeneous sediment domains and relying on a single set of sediment properties. Few studies have simulated flow processes through a thick vadose zone using real and comprehensive data sets comprising multiple measurements. Here, we develop a flow model for a 7‐m‐thick vadose zone. This model, combining the numerical codes CTRAN/W with SEEP/W, includes the measured sediment hydraulic properties of the investigated vadose zone and incorporates the actual climate and subsurface conditions of the study site (precipitations, water‐table elevations, and stable isotope data). The model is calibrated by fitting the simulated and measured vertical profiles of water content. Our flow model calculates a transit time of 1 year for the travel of water through the 7‐m vadose zone; this estimate matches stable isotope‐based results obtained previously for this site. A homogeneous sediment domain flow model, which considers only a single set of sediment properties, produces a transit time that is approximately half the duration of that of the heterogeneous flow model. This difference highlights the importance of assuming heterogeneous material within models of thick vadose zones and testifies to the advantage gained when using real sediment hydraulic properties to parametrize a flow model.
Gender Differences in the Effect of Job Characteristics on Work‐to‐Family Conflict in Japan: Application of the Job Demands‐Resources Model into Japanese Population1
Authors: Tsukada Yusuke
Published: October 2020

This article uses the job demand‐resources (JD‐R) model to analyze the Japanese population and gender differences in work‐to‐family conflict in Japan. Using data from the International Social Survey Programme in 2015, the study addresses four main questions: (i) does the JD‐R model apply to the Japanese population? (ii) which gender is more likely to experience work‐to‐family conflict? (iii) does gender moderate the relationship between work‐related factors and work‐to‐family conflict? and (iv) do different factors predict work‐to‐family conflict between men and women? The findings show that the JD‐R model applies in part to the Japanese population, and women are more likely to experience a higher level of work‐to‐family conflict than men. There are also different factors predicting work‐to‐family conflict by gender, even though gender does not moderate the relationship between work‐related factors and work‐to‐family conflict. This article points out the peculiar Japanese social and cultural contexts that lead to gender differences in work‐to‐family conflict. It offers two solutions: (i) legal regulations to reduce working hours and the frequency of working on weekends to prevent work from intruding on family life; and (ii) changes to the work environment to make women workers more comfortable at work because of the male‐dominated workplace and Japanese culture on family gender roles in Japan.
The testing environment as an explanation for unproctored internet‐based testing device‐type effects
Authors: Traylor Zach , Hagen Ellen , Williams Ashleigh , Arthur Winfred
Published: October 2020

Device‐type effects on cognitive tests appear to covary with whether unproctored internet‐based test (UIT) scores were obtained operationally or nonoperationally. The present study examined whether the testing environment and distractions therein—one of three contextual factors identified as plausible explanations—accounts for this covariation. Four‐hundred and twenty‐five college students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions which differed by the testing environment and device used to complete a cognitive test. Test scores did not differ between conditions despite greater distractions reported by those who tested in the distracting environment. Results were replicated within‐study, and suggest that the self‐selection and testing‐stakes hypotheses warrant subsequent empirical examination as explanations for the differences in device‐type effects observed in operational and nonoperational settings.
Wildfire and spruce beetle outbreak have mixed effects on below‐canopy temperatures in a Rocky Mountain subalpine forest
Authors: Carlson Amanda R. , Sibold Jason S. , Negrón José F.
Published: October 2020

Aim

Fine‐scale topography and canopy cover can play an important role in mediating effects of regional‐scale climate change on the below‐canopy environment in mountain forests. The aim of this study was to determine how below‐canopy temperatures in a high‐elevation Rocky Mountain forest have been affected by canopy change resulting from severe wildfire and spruce beetle outbreak within the last 10–15 years.

Location

Eastern San Juan Mountains, Colorado, USA.

Taxon

Picea engelmannii,Abies lasiocarpa,Dendroctonus rufipennis.

Methods

We used a network of sensors to record temperatures for a full year in burned and beetle‐impacted areas. Using a Bayesian model that accounted for spatial structure in temperatures, we derived covariate parameters to determine the relative influence of topographic variables (elevation, aspect, slope, topographic position and solar radiation), live tree basal area and burned/unburned status on average daily maximum and minimum temperatures (Tmax, Tmin) in summer and winter.

Results

Model parameters indicated that burned areas were warmer than unburned forest, with three of four average temperature variables (summer Tmax, winter Tmax, and winter Tmin) having >95% likelihood of a positive temperature difference in burned versus unburned locations. Mean temperature changes for these variables ranged from 0.41 to 0.74°C. Conversely, canopy loss in unburned, beetle‐killed forests did not meaningfully affect Tmax but resulted in slight cooling of Tmin. Modelled temperature changes resulting from 100% overstorey mortality were −1.29°C for summer Tmin (95% credible interval: −0.027 to −2.56°C) and −1.31°C for winter Tmin (95% credible interval: 0.17 to −2.79°C).

Main Conclusions

Our results indicate that severe wildfire may exacerbate effects of climate change and increase the probability of ecosystem transitions. However, the effects of bark beetle outbreaks are more complex. Cooling of overnight minimum temperatures may counteract warming trends, but an increase in diurnal temperature ranges may have uncertain ecological consequences.
The feasibility of polypill for cardiovascular disease prevention in Asian Population
Authors: Sukonthasarn Apichard , Chia Yook‐Chin , Wang Ji‐Guang , Nailes Jennifer , Buranakitjaroen Peera , Van Minh Huynh , Verma Narsingh , Hoshide Satoshi , Shin Jinho , Turana Yuda , Tay Jam Chin , Teo Boon Wee , Siddique Saulat , Sison Jorge , Zhang Yu‐Qing , Wang Tzung‐Dau , Chen Chen‐Huan , Kario Kazuomi
Published: October 2020

Polypill is a fixed‐dose combination of medications with proven benefits for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Its role in CVD prevention has been extensively debated since the inception of this concept in 2003. There are two major kinds of polypills in clinical studies. The first is polypill that combines multiple low‐dose medications for controlling only one CVD risk factor (such as high blood pressure or high serum cholesterol). These “single‐purpose” polypills were mostly developed from original producers and have higher cost. The polypill that combines 3‐4 pharmaceutical components, each with potential to reduce one major cardiovascular risk factors is “multi‐purpose” or “cardiovascular” polypill. Using data from various clinical trials and from meta‐analysis, Wald and Law claimed that this “cardiovascular” polypill when administered to every individual older than 55 years could reduce the incidence of CVD by more than 80%. Several short and intermediate to long‐term studies with different cardiovascular polypills in phase II and III trials showed that they could provide better adherence, equivalent, or better risk factor control and quality of life among users as compared to usual care. One recently published randomized controlled clinical trial demonstrated the effectiveness and safety of a four‐component polypill for both primary and secondary CVD prevention with acceptable number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one major cardiovascular event. Considering the slow achievement of CVD prevention in many poor‐ and middle‐income Asian countries and also the need to further improve compliance of antihypertensive and lipid lowering medications in many high‐income Asian countries, the concept of “cardiovascular polypill” could be very useful. With further support from ongoing polypill cardiovascular outcome trials, polypill could be the foundation of the population‐based strategies for CVD prevention.
Effects of cytomegalovirus infection on extravillous trophoblast cells invasion and immune function of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface
Authors: Lin Xiaoqian , Chen Yusha , Fang Zhuanji , Chen Qingshan , Chen Lichun , Han Qing , Yan Jianying
Published: October 2020

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common intrauterine infection virus, which can cause intrauterine transmission through the placenta, resulting in abortion, stillbirth and congenital malformations. In this study, the co‐culture extravillous trophoblast (EVT) HTR8/SVneo cell model of CMV infection was established in vitro. The toxicity of CMV infected EVT was determined, and then, the cell invasion experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect on the invasion ability of EVT cell lines. Western blot and real‐time PCR were used to detect the related cytokines in the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway in cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the immune function related factors of the supernatant of CMV culture on decidual NK cells. The TCID50 of CMV virus was 10−5.4. The results of immunofluorescence showed that a large number of fluorescent green of CMV pp65 antigen signals appeared in the cytoplasm of CMV infection group. CMV could infect and replicate EVT cells and inhibited cell proliferation. The expression of proteins PDK1, AKT‐S473 and AKT‐S308 was significantly increased in CMV infection group. The levels of IL‐17, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ were 8.7 ± 0.48%, 12.17 ± 0.61% and 6.66 ± 0.25%, respectively, in CMV infection group. The above results indicated that CMV infection inhibited EVT cells proliferation, weakened the invasion ability and inhibited the immune function of NK cells at the maternal‐fetal interface, resulting in the abnormal maternal‐fetal crosstalk.
Mapping the EU tomato supply chain from farm to fork for greenhouse gas emission mitigation strategies
Authors: Xue Li , Cao Zhi , Scherhaufer Silvia , Östergren Karin , Cheng Shengkui , Liu Gang
Published: October 2020

Tomato and tomato products are the most consumed vegetables worldwide. However, reduction of their relatively high emission intensity can be a key to mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the agrifood sector. Using the European Union (EU) and its 28 member states as example, we mapped the mass flow and analyzed the efficiency of the entire tomato supply chain from farm to fork for the year 2016. We then explored potentials of a full spectrum of GHG emission mitigation strategies ranging from production‐efficiency improvement to process optimization, food‐waste reduction, trade‐pattern change, and diet‐structure change, both individually and in an integrated framework. The results showed that 63% of tomato loss and waste occurred at the processing and consumption stages (over half in Italy and Spain), and 54% of GHG emissions were from production (notably greenhouse based). Although the reduction of tomato products consumption (considered as the substitution by other vegetables) presented the highest potential of emissions reduction, reducing retailing and consumption waste were found to have great effect on GHG emissions reduction as well for all EU member states, especially for United Kingdom and Germany. The combined effects of different mitigation strategies with high levels of change could reduce GHG emissions by 39% compared to the current level.
Three‐dimensional reconstruction and comparison of vacuolar membranes in response to viral infection
Authors: Wang Xueting , Ma Juncai , Jin Xuejiao , Yue Ning , Gao Peng , Mai Keith Ka Ki , Wang Xian‐Bing , Li Dawei , Kang Byung‐Ho , Zhang Yongliang
Published: October 2020

The vacuole is a unique plant organelle that plays an important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis under various environmental stress conditions. However, the effects of biotic stress on vacuole structure has not been examined using three‐dimensional (3D) visualization. Here, we performed 3D electron tomography to compare the ultrastructural changes in the vacuole during infection with different viruses. The 3D models revealed that vacuoles are remodeled in cells infected with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) or tobacco necrosis virus A Chinese isolate (TNV‐AC), resulting in the formation of spherules at the periphery of the vacuole. These spherules contain neck‐like channels that connect their interior with the cytosol. Confocal microscopy of CMV replication proteins 1a and 2a and TNV‐AC auxiliary replication protein p23 showed that all of these proteins localize to the tonoplast. Electron microscopy revealed that the expression of these replication proteins alone is sufficient to induce spherule formation on the tonoplast, suggesting that these proteins play prominent roles in inducing vacuolar membrane remodeling. This is the first report of the 3D structures of viral replication factories built on the tonoplasts. These findings contribute to our understanding of vacuole biogenesis under normal conditions and during assembly of plant (+) RNA virus replication complexes.
Association Between Witnessing and Justifying Workplace Violence Towards Nurses in Israel
Authors: Amit‐Aharon Anat , Warshawski Sigalit , Itzhaki Michal
Published: October 2020

Background

Workplace violence perpetrated by patients and their families towards nurses has become a global problem.

Purpose

The present study explores associations between individuals’ having witnessed violent incidents in the past and holding attitudes justifying violence in the present, and their intention to behave violently in a nurse‐patient interaction at a healthcare facility.

Design

A cross‐sectional study sampled 1,350 participants from among the general public in Israel.

Methods

A self‐administered questionnaire measured attitudes regarding violence towards nurses and confronted the participants with two vignettes eliciting verbal and physical violence towards nurses. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to explore the association between attitudes and intention to act violently. A mediation analysis (using the PROCESS macro) was conducted to explore the mediation factors.

Results

Over half of the participants witnessed an incident of verbal violence in health care and substantially fewer witnessed a physically violent event (51.5% and 16.1%, respectively). An attitude of highly justifying violence was found to be directly associated with the intention to act verbally and physically violent. Past witnessing of verbal or physical violence in healthcare settings had an indirect association through an attitude that justifies violence, which served as a mediating factor for the intention to act verbally and physically violent in a situation presented via the vignettes.

Conclusions

Witnessing a violent event in healthcare systems has social consequences that may cause normalization of violence and lead to the intention to use verbal or even physical violence towards nurses.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses should be encouraged to report incidents of violence, while healthcare and judicial systems must address this issue seriously. It is recommended that systems alerting for risk indicators be applied, to identify patients with a potential for violence in healthcare facilities. Healthcare policymakers and workers must act to promote an environment of zero tolerance for violence in order to minimize such events. In order to prevent violence towards healthcare staff, a holistic multisystem approach should be implemented, involving a focus by sociocultural elements on social values and structures, as violence in healthcare reflects violence in society at large.
Current and emerging concepts in biological and analytical variation applied in clinical practice
Authors: Flatland Bente , Baral Randolph M. , Freeman Kathleen P.
Published: October 2020

A single laboratory result actually represents a range of possible values, and a given laboratory result is impacted not just by the presence or absence of disease, but also by biological variation of the measurand in question and analytical variation of the equipment used to make the measurement. Biological variation refers to variability in measurand concentration or activity around a homeostatic set point. Knowledge of biological and analytical variation can be used to facilitate interpretation of patient clinicopathologic data and is particularly useful for interpreting serial patient data and data at or near reference limits or clinical decision thresholds. Understanding how biological and analytical variation impact laboratory results is of increasing importance, because veterinarians evaluate serial data from individual patients, interpret data from multiple testing sites, and use expert consensus guidelines that include decision thresholds for clinicopathologic data interpretation. The purpose of our report is to review current and emerging concepts in biological and analytical variation and discuss how biological and analytical variation data can be used to facilitate clinicopathologic data interpretation. Inclusion of veterinary clinical pathologists having expertise in laboratory quality management and biological variation on research teams and veterinary practice guideline development teams is recommended, to ensure that various considerations for clinicopathologic data interpretation are addressed.
Diversity of gut microbiomes in marine fishes is shaped by host‐related factors
Authors: Huang Qi , Sham Ronia C. , Deng Yu , Mao Yanping , Wang Chunxiao , Zhang Tong , Leung Kenneth M. Y.
Published: October 2020

Microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of animals play vital roles in food digestion, homeostasis and immune response regulation. Globally, there are 33,700 fish species, representing almost half of all vertebrate diversity and a wide range of physiologies, ecologies and life histories. To investigate gut microbiomes with high coverage, we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing with 115 samples of 20 common marine fish species. The fish gut microbiome is a remarkably simple community with low microbial diversity (a maximum of 300 amplicon sequence variants only) and has up to 70% of unknown species in some fish species. The gut microbial community structure was significantly shaped by the combined influence of host‐associated factors, including the fish taxon (p < .001, R2 = 0.16, ω2 = 0.04), feeding habit (p < .001, R2 = 0.06, ω2 = 0.02) and trophic level (p < .01, R2 = 0.04, ω2 = 0.01), although the influence was subtle with a small effect size. The core gut microbiomes of different feeding habits were also previously discovered in animal‐associated and corresponding habitat samples. Certain energy metabolism pathways were enriched in herbivore/omnivore and zooplanktivore/zoobenthivore fishes, whereas lipid metabolism and glycan metabolism were enriched in zoobenthivore/piscivore fishes. Moreover, substantial taxonomic variability was found between the gut microbiomes of fish and animals, indicated by their low degree of shared microbiota. The data and observations reported herein pave the way for further investigations on the co‐evolution of fish gut microbiomes and their hosts, the physiological functions of gut microorganisms and the development of probiotics for improving the nutrition and health of aquaculture fish species.