bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Post‐acute care transitions and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia: Associations with race/ethnicity and dual status
Authors: Temkin‐Greener Helena , Yan Di , Cai Shubing
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate how post‐acute care (PAC) transitions affect minority older adults with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (ADRD), and the extent to which dual Medicare‐Medicaid eligibility may attenuate or exacerbate disparities in PAC outcomes. We examined: (1) PAC referrals by race/ethnicity and dual status; (2) individual, hospital, and market‐level factors associated with PAC; (3) the association between PAC and outcomes.

Data Sources/Study Setting

We used the following secondary data: Master Beneficiary Summary File (MBSF), Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MedPAR), Minimum Data Set (MDS), Area Health Resource File (AHRF), hospital Provider of Services (POS) file, and the area deprivation index (ADI).

Study Design

This observational study consisted of 619,262 community‐residing Medicare fee‐for‐service (FFS) beneficiaries with ADRD who had a hospital stay in 2017.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

PAC discharge was to skilled nursing facilities (SNF), home health care (HHC) agencies or home without services. Outcomes were 30‐day readmission and death. Multinomial logistic regressions with hospital random effects (RE), stratified by dual eligibility, were fit.

Principal Findings

Dual‐related differences were significantly larger than race/ethnicity differences in PAC transitions. For example, the difference in the probability of SNF transitions between White and Black patients was 3.2% and 6.8%‐points for non‐duals and duals, respectively. The difference between non‐dual/dual White patients was 21.6% points, and among Black patients 18.0%‐points. The adjusted risk of 30‐day readmission was 5.6 percentage point higher among non‐duals discharged to SNF, compared to home, but such risk among duals was not statistically significantly different. The adjusted probabilities of 30‐day mortality were larger for duals and non‐duals who transitioned to SNF, compared to those discharged home.

Conclusions

PAC referrals and the resulting outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD are associated with multi‐level variables that need to be incorporated in discharge decision making.
A de novo assembled genome of the Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) and its high‐altitude adaptation
Authors: LI Xuejuan , WANG Xiaoyang , YANG Chao , LIN Liliang , YUAN Hao , LEI Fumin , HUANG Yuan
Published: September 2022

The Tibetan Partridge (Perdix hodgsoniae) is an endemic species distributed in high‐altitude areas of 3600–5600 m on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. To explore how the species is adapted to the high elevation environment, we assembled a draft genome based on both the Illumina and PacBio sequencing platforms with its population genetics and genomics analysis. In total, 134.74 Gb short reads and 30.81 Gb long reads raw data were generated. The 1.05‐Gb assembled genome had a contig N50 of 4.56 Mb, with 91.94% complete BUSCOs. The 17 457 genes were annotated, and 11.35% of the genome was composed of repeat sequences. The phylogenetic tree showed that P. hodgsoniae was located at the basal position of the clade, including Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and Mikado Pheasant (Syrmaticus mikado). We found that 1014, 2595, and 2732 of the 6641 one‐to‐one orthologous genes were under positive selection in P. hodgsoniae, detected using PAML, BUSTED, and aBSREL programs, respectively, of which 965 genes were common under positive selection with 3 different programs. Several positively selected genes and immunity pathways relevant to high‐altitude adaptation were detected. Gene family evolution showed that 99 gene families experienced significant expansion events, while 6 gene families were under contraction. The total number of olfactory receptor genes was relatively low in P. hodgsoniae. Genomic data provide an important resource for a further study on the evolutionary history of P. hodgsoniae, which provides a new insight into its high‐altitude adaptation mechanisms.
Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy: Italian prospective population‐based cohort study
Authors: Mazzocco Martina Ilaria , Donati Serena , Maraschini Alice , Corsi Edoardo , Colciago Elisabetta , Guelfi Fabiola , Cetin Irene
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is defined as a sudden non‐traumatic intraperitoneal bleeding in pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum. In the present study we aim to estimate the incidence and investigate the risk factors, the management and the outcomes of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy in order to improve its clinical identification and reduce avoidable maternal deaths.

Material and methods

This is a prospective population‐based cohort study, set in maternity units from nine Italian regions covering 75% of the national births. The study population comprises all women admitted for spontaneous intraperitoneal hemorrhage during pregnancy and up to 42 days postpartum between November 2017 and March 2020. Incident cases were reported by trained clinicians through electronic data collection forms. Descriptive statistics were performed. The main outcome measures included incidence rate of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy, association with potential risk factors, clinical management and maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Results

Twenty‐nine cases met the adopted definition of spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy with an estimated incidence rate of 0.04 per 1000 births. An increased risk ratio (RR) of this condition was observed in pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technology (RR = 6.60, 95% CI 2.52–17.29), in the case of multiple pregnancies (RR = 6.57, 95% CI 1.99–21.69) and maternal age ≥35 years (RR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01–4.35). In 17/29 cases the bleeding site was intra‐pelvic (23.5% in the posterior uterine wall and 35.2% in the left hemipelvis). Laparotomy represented the surgical treatment in 27 cases (93%), and most women underwent a cesarean delivery (92.6%). Median blood loss was 1900 mL, one hysterectomy was necessary, and two women died. Twenty‐two preterm births were recorded.

Conclusions

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum in pregnancy is a rare, life‐threatening condition associated with high perinatal morbidity and mortality. Maternal age ≥35 years, multiple pregnancies and assisted reproductive technology were associated to a higher risk of the condition. Two women of 29 died and 70% of births occurred preterm.
Corruption and corporate leverage in an emerging economy: The role of economic freedom
Authors: Doan Anh‐Tuan , Truong Bich‐Thanh , Nguyen Chi‐Cuong , Nguyen Phan‐Tam‐Nhu , Truong Hai‐Yen , Le Anh‐Tuan
Published: September 2022

This study investigated the effects of corruption and economic freedom on corporate leverage. We also evaluated how economic freedom shapes the effect of corruption on corporate leverage. Using a sample of Vietnamese firms covering a nine‐year period from 2010 to 2018, we find evidence that increased control of corruption has a significant positive impact on firm leverage, whereas the opposite is true for economic freedom. This effect is robust to alternative measures of control of corruption as well as advanced estimation methods, such as firm‐fixed effects and quantile regressions. Our results also reveal that the positive impact of corruption controls on corporate leverage is more pronounced for firms with high economic freedom. Econometrically, our findings indicate that firms with better control over corruption prefer debt financing, as demonstrated by their higher leverage ratio.
Prurigo nodularis: the epidemiology of an under-recognized disease
Authors: Froelunde Anne Sofie , Vestergaard Christian
Published: September 2022

Linked Article:  Morgan et al. Br J Dermatol 2022; 187:188–195.
The Acre Basin basement (NW Brazil) and the transition from the intracratonic to retroarc foreland basin system
Authors: de Oliveira Rick Souza , Vidotti Roberta Mary
Published: September 2022

The understanding of the crustal transition between orogenic zones and cratonic portions in distal regions of foreland basins has received increasing attention, but the analysis is often hampered by the sedimentary cover. Despite the peculiar location of the Acre Basin, specifically between the Amazonian Craton and the sub‐Andean zone, local basement studies are still scarce due to lacking seismic data and exploratory wells. Therefore, this work aims to map basement depths, estimate crustal compositions and identify the main depocenters, structures and limits of Acre Basin using an integrated analysis to understand better the region lithospheric evolution, its relationship with the Amazonian Craton and its positioning within the Andean orogeny. For that, we used well, 2D seismic reflection, airborne and ground gravity and magnetic data as well as the EMG2008. Tilt Depth estimates indicate basement depths between 500 and 7800 m and larger sedimentary thicknesses in the northern portion. Additionally, we modelled groups of potential sources between 0.1 and 22 km and Moho depths between 26 and 37 km. Compositionally, the upper crust consists dominantly of meta‐sedimentary and low‐grade metamorphic rocks and granites, indicating that the sub‐Andean and Acre Basins share a similar basement. Thus, there are indications that the basement of the Acre Basin is essentially formed by the Sunsás province in the Amazonian Craton. However, local differences in basement depth, magnetic susceptibility and exploratory potential led to the subdivision into Divisor and Xapuri sub‐basins, north and south of the Fitzcarrald Arch, respectively. Finally, it was possible to establish the limits of the Andean orogeny influence in the Acre Basin and delimit the area of the Western Amazon Foredeep installed during the Neogene.
Abnormality of apico–basal polarity in adenocarcinoma
Authors: Onuma Kunishige , Inoue Masahiro
Published: September 2022

Apico–basal polarity is a fundamental property of the epithelium that functions as a barrier, holds cells together, and determines the directions of absorption and secretion. Apico–basal polarity is regulated by extracellular matrix‐integrin binding and downstream signaling pathways, including focal adhesion kinase, rouse‐sarcoma oncogene (SRC), and RHO/RHO‐associated kinase (ROCK). Loss of epithelial cell polarity plays a critical role in the progression of cancer cells. However, in differentiated carcinomas, polarity is not completely lost but dysregulated. Recent progress with a three‐dimensional culture of primary cancer cells allowed for studies of the mechanism underlying the abnormality of polarity in differentiated cancers, including flexible switching of polarity status in response to the microenvironment. Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (MPC) is one of the histopathological phenotypes of adenocarcinoma, which is characterized by inverted polarity. Aberrant activation of RHO–ROCK signaling plays a critical role in the MPC phenotype. Establishing in vitro models will contribute to future drug targeting of the abnormal polarity status in cancer.
Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of novel NO‐releasing 4‐chromanone derivatives as potential vasodilator agents
Authors: Shi Hao , Xiong Liyan , Zhu Chenchen , Wang Jing , Li Yi , Luo Yunchun , Wang Tingfang , Zhang Chuan
Published: September 2022

The nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signaling pathway is an effective mechanism involved in the treatment of hypertension. In our search for potential antihypertensive agents, a series of novel NO‐donor derivatives of the 4‐chromanone skeleton were designed and synthesized by coupling furoxans or nitrooxy NO‐donor moieties. All derivatives showed enhanced nitric oxide releasing capacity and vasodilator activity with EC50 values ranging from 0.0215 μM to 1.46 μM, obviously superior to those of precursor 3. These biological evaluations indicated that all compounds displayed an important vasorelaxant effect, and several compounds (9c, 14b, 14c, 14d) presented good vasodilator activity, with 14c being the best. Furthermore, molecular modeling studies revealed that compound 14c occupied the pocket well with the phosphodiesterase 5 domain in a favorable conformation. In conclusion, we observed that these novel compounds can act as structural templates for the design and subsequent development of new vasodilators and antihypertensive drugs.
What do I want to feel? Emotion goals in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
Authors: López‐Pérez Belén , Gummerum Michaela , Jiménez Marcos , Tamir Maya
Published: September 2022

Beliefs about emotion utility can influence context‐sensitive emotion goals (i.e., desired emotional responses). Although key for emotion regulation, emotion goals have been overlooked in children and adolescents. In 2018–2019 results of Studies 1 and 2 showed that children (N = 192, Mage = 8.65, 47% girls, 96% White) were less motivated by and found anger less useful in confrontation than adolescents (N = 192, Mage = 12.96, 50% girls, 93% White) and adults (N = 195, Mage = 29.82, 51% women, 96% White). The link between emotion goals and beliefs about emotion utility was weaker in children. In 2021, Study 3 (N = 60, 8‐year‐olds, 47% girls, 90% White) ruled out expectations as a possible explanation for the previous findings. Context‐sensitive utility of emotions may be acquired during development.
Evocube: A Genetic Labelling Framework for Polycube‐Maps
Authors: Dumery C. , Protais F. , Mestrallet S. , Bourcier C. , Ledoux F.
Published: September 2022

Polycube‐maps are used as base‐complexes in various fields of computational geometry, including the generation of regular all‐hexahedral meshes free of internal singularities. However, the strict alignment constraints behind polycube‐based methods make their computation challenging for CAD models used in numerical simulation via finite element method (FEM). We propose a novel approach based on an evolutionary algorithm to robustly compute polycube‐maps in this context.

We address the labelling problem, which aims to precompute polycube alignment by assigning one of the base axes to each boundary face on the input. Previous research has described ways to initialize and improve a labelling via greedy local fixes. However, such algorithms lack robustness and often converge to inaccurate solutions for complex geometries. Our proposed framework alleviates this issue by embedding labelling operations in an evolutionary heuristic, defining fitness, crossover, and mutations in the context of labelling optimization. We evaluate our method on a thousand smooth and CAD meshes, showing Evocube converges to accurate labellings on a wide range of shapes. The limitations of our method are also discussed thoroughly.
Effect of neurofilament analysis on the diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: De Schaepdryver Maxim , Masrori Pegah , Van Damme Philip , Poesen Koen
Published: September 2022

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate whether neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), sampled prior to referral to a neuromuscular reference center (NMRC), shorten the diagnostic delay in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Methods

In this retrospective study, patients with ALS were included with (i) determination of neurofilaments (Nfs) before referral to the NMRC (preC‐Nfs ALS, n = 58), (ii) determination of Nfs at the NMRC (C‐Nfs, n = 54) or (iii) with no determination of Nfs (C‐No Nfs, n = 180). Fifty‐six disease controls were included.

Results

The preC‐Nfs cohort had CSF sampled 2.2 months (range: 0.6–12.0 months) before referral to the NMRC. In this cohort, the diagnostic delay was significantly shorter [median (range): 8.24 (2.37–49.7) months] than in the C‐Nfs cases [median (range): 11.4 (2.93–86.5) months; p < 0.05], but not in the C‐No Nfs cases. When including the disease progression rate and the presence of a genetic mutation as covariates, the difference ceased to exist (p = 0.14). pNfH and NfL levels in the preC‐Nfs cohort were significantly higher than in disease controls (p < 0.0001). Both Nfs showed a similar discriminating performance.

Conclusions

CSF Nfs assessed before the diagnosis of ALS at a NMRC decreased the diagnostic delay in specific cases by 3 months and only when other covariates were not taken into account.
Evidence‐based guidelines for automated conservation assessments of plant species
Authors: Walker Barnaby E. , Leão Tarciso C. C. , Bachman Steven P. , Lucas Eve , Nic Lughadha Eimear
Published: September 2022

Assessing species’ extinction risk is vital to setting conservation priorities. However, assessment endeavors, such as those used to produce the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, have significant gaps in taxonomic coverage. Automated assessment (AA) methods are gaining popularity to fill these gaps. Choices made in developing, using, and reporting results of AA methods could hinder their successful adoption or lead to poor allocation of conservation resources. We explored how choice of data cleaning type and level, taxonomic group, training sample, and automation method affect performance of threat status predictions for plant species. We used occurrences from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to generate assessments for species in 3 taxonomic groups based on 6 different occurrence‐based AA methods. We measured each method's performance and coverage following increasingly stringent occurrence cleaning. Automatically cleaned data from GBIF performed comparably to occurrence records cleaned manually by experts. However, all types of data cleaning limited the coverage of AAs. Overall, machine‐learning‐based methods performed well across taxa, even with minimal data cleaning. Results suggest a machine‐learning‐based method applied to minimally cleaned data offers the best compromise between performance and species coverage. However, optimal data cleaning, training sample, and automation methods depend on the study group, intended applications, and expertise.
A roadmap for the conservation of freshwater mussels in Europe
Authors: Sousa Ronaldo , Zając Tadeusz , Halabowski Dariusz , Aksenova Olga V. , Bespalaya Yulia V. , Carvalho Francisco , Castro Paulo , Douda Karel , da Silva Janine P. , Ferreira‐Rodríguez Noé , Geist Juergen , Gumpinger Clemens , Labecka Anna M. , Lajtner Jasna , Lewin Iga , Lopes‐Lima Manuel , Meira Alexandra , Nakamura Keiko , Nogueira Joana Garrido , Ondina Paz , Ożgo Małgorzata , Reis Joaquim , Riccardi Nicoletta , Shumka Spase , Son Mikhail O. , Teixeira Amílcar , Thielen Frankie , Urbańska Maria , Varandas Simone , Wengström Niklas , Zając Katarzyna , Zieritz Alexandra , Aldridge David C.
Published: September 2022

Europe has a long history of human pressure on freshwater ecosystems. As pressure continues to grow and new threats emerge, there is an urgent need for conservation of freshwater biodiversity and its ecosystem services. However, whilst some taxonomic groups, mainly vertebrates, have received a disproportionate amount of attention and funds, other groups remain largely off the public and scientific radar. Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) are an alarming example of this conservation bias and here we point out six conceptual areas that need immediate and long‐term attention: knowledge, threats, socioeconomics, conservation, governance and education. The proposed roadmap aims to advance research, policy and education by identifying the most pressing priorities for the short‐ and long‐term conservation of freshwater mussels across Europe.
Alternative corporate governance: Does tax enforcement improve the performance of mergers and acquisitions in China?
Authors: Zhang Liguang , Peng Liao , Fu Xinhong , Zhang Zhe , Wang Yunchen
Published: September 2022

Research Question/Issue

We study whether tax enforcement can function as a corporate governance mechanism in emerging countries with weak tax enforcement. In the case of China, we examine whether and how external monitoring by tax authorities constrains insiders' opportunistic behavior in corporate mergers and acquisitions (M&As).

Research Findings/Insights

We employ the implementation of the third stage of the China Tax Administration Information System (CTAIS‐3) as a quasi‐natural experiment and adopt a difference‐in‐differences (DID) approach. We find that strengthening tax enforcement by CTAIS‐3 can improve the efficiency of M&As by reducing agency problems in the decision‐making process. Our conclusions remain unchanged under a series of robustness checks. Moreover, the results show that the impact is mainly observed in regions with stronger local government taxation motivation and in firms with poorer internal or external governance and poorer accounting information.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We find that strengthening tax enforcement can improve M&A decisions even in emerging markets, which provides direct evidence for the predictions from theory that tax authorities play a governance role in supervising corporate insiders. Our paper also extends the literature on the determinants of M&A performance from the perspective of tax authorities.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study has policy implications for governments around the world to improve corporate governance by strengthening tax enforcement. The Chinese government applying advanced information technology to tax enforcement can provide a reference for other countries.
Regulatory variants in a novel distal enhancer regulate the expression of CYP3A4 and CYP3A5
Authors: Collins Joseph M. , Nworu Adaeze C. , Mohammad Somayya J. , Li Liang , Li Chengcheng , Li Chuanjiang , Schwendeman Ethan , Cefalu Mattew , Abdel‐Rasoul Mahmoud , Sun Jessie W. , Smith Sakima A. , Wang Danxin
Published: September 2022

The cytochrome P450 3As (CYP3As) are abundantly expressed in the liver and metabolize many commonly prescribed medications. Their expression is highly variable between individuals with little known genetic cause. Despite extensive investigation, cis‐acting genetic elements that control the expression of the CYP3As remain uncharacterized. Using chromatin conformation capture (4C assays), we detected reciprocal interaction between a distal regulatory region (DRR) and the CYP3A4 promoter. The DRR colocalizes with a variety of enhancer marks and was found to promote transcription in reporter assays. CRISPR‐mediated deletion of the DRR decreased expression of CYP3A4, CYP3A5, and CYP3A7, supporting its role as a shared enhancer regulating the expression of three CYP3A genes. Using reporter gene assays, we identified two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (rs115025140 and rs776744/rs776742) that increased DRR‐driven luciferase reporter expression. In a liver cohort (n = 246), rs115025140 was associated with increased expression of CYP3A4 mRNA (1.8‐fold) and protein (1.6‐fold) and rs776744/rs776742 was associated with 1.39‐fold increased expression of CYP3A5 mRNA. The rs115025140 is unique to the African population and in a clinical cohort of African Americans taking statins for lipid control rs115025140 carriers showed a trend toward reduced statin‐mediated lipid reduction. In addition, using a published cohort of Chinese patients who underwent renal transplantation taking tacrolimus, rs776744/rs776742 carriers were associated with reduced tacrolimus concentration after adjusting for CYP3A5*3. Our results elucidate a complex regulatory network controlling expression of three CYP3A genes and identify two novel regulatory variants with potential clinical relevance for predicting CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 expression.
Teleintervention for users of augmentative and alternative communication devices: A systematic review
Authors: Bekteshi Saranda , Konings Marco , Karlsson Petra , Criekinge Tamaya Van , Dan Bernard , Monbaliu Elegast
Published: September 2022

Aim

To synthesize existing evidence on the effectiveness of speech‐language teleinterventions delivered via videoconferencing to users of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices.

Method

A systematic literature search was conducted in 10 electronic databases, from inception until August 2021. Included were speech‐language teleinterventions delivered by researchers and/or clinicians via videoconferencing to users of AAC devices, without restrictions on chronological age and clinical diagnosis. The quality of the studies included in the review was appraised using the Downs and Black checklist and the Single‐Case Experimental Design Scale; risk of bias was assessed using the Risk Of Bias In Non‐Randomized Studies ‐ of Interventions and the single‐case design risk of bias tools.

Results

Six teleinterventions including 25 participants with a variety of conditions, such as Down syndrome, autism, Rett syndrome, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis met the inclusion criteria. Five studies used a single‐case experimental design and one was a cohort study. Teleinterventions included active consultation (n = 2), functional communication training (n = 2), brain–computer interface (n = 1), and both teleintervention and in‐person intervention (n = 1). All teleinterventions reported an increase in participants’ independent use of AAC devices during the training sessions compared to baseline, as well as an overall high satisfaction and treatment acceptability.

Interpretation

Speech‐language teleinterventions for users of AAC devices show great potential for a successful method of service delivery. Future telehealth studies with larger sample sizes and more robust methodology are strongly encouraged to allow the generalization of results across different populations.

What this paper adds

Individuals can learn to use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices independently during tele‐AAC interventions.

Service providers and recipients reported an overall high satisfaction and acceptability for AAC services delivered via teleinterventions.

Speech‐language teleinterventions may be an effective method of providing AAC intervention services.
Missed antenatal diabetes care appointments and neonatal outcomes for pregnancies with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
Authors: Stafl Lenka , Benham Jamie L. , Frehlich Levi , Donovan Lois E. , Yamamoto Jennifer M.
Published: September 2022

Background

There is limited information regarding the association between missed appointments and neonatal outcomes for diabetes in pregnancy.

Study Methods

This retrospective live birth cohort included pregnant women with Type 1 or 2 diabetes who attended specialized clinics from 2008 to 2020. The association between at least one missed antenatal diabetes appointments and outcomes were assessed using logistic regression and reported as adjusted odds ratios (aOR) (95% confidence interval). Mediation analyses were conducted to examine if above target HbA1c mediated these relationships.

Results

The cohort included 407 and 902 women with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, respectively, of whom 25.1% and 34.5% missed at least one appointment. Women with Type 1 diabetes who missed an appointment were more likely to have a caesarean section (aOR 1.95 [1.15, 3.31]) and their babies more likely to be admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (aOR 2.25 [1.35, 3.75]). Women with Type 2 diabetes who missed an appointment were more likely to have a large‐for‐gestational‐age infant (aOR 1.61 [1.13, 2.28]), and an extreme large‐for‐gestational‐age infant (aOR 1.69 [1.02, 2.81]) compared with women who did not miss appointments. Above target HbA1c mediated the relationship between missed appointments and caesarean delivery in Type 1 diabetes and large‐for‐gestational age and extreme large‐for‐gestational age in Type 2 diabetes.

Conclusion

In individuals with Type 1 and 2 diabetes, there are differences in neonatal outcomes between those who missed an appointment compared to those who did not. It remains unclear if missed diabetes appointments are causative or a marker of other health behaviours or risk factors leading to neonatal morbidity.
Different patterns of exosomal α‐synuclein between Parkinson's disease and probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder
Authors: Yan Yi‐Qun , Pu Jia‐Li , Zheng Ran , Fang Yi , Gu Lu‐Yan , Guo Tao , Si Xiao‐Li , Zhou Cheng , Chen Ying , Liu Yi , Guan Xiao‐Jun , Xu Xiao‐Jun , Yan Ya‐Ping , Yin Xin‐Zhen , Zhang Min‐Ming , Tao Zhi‐Hua , Zhang Bao‐Rong
Published: September 2022

Background and purpose

The insidious onset of Parkinson's disease (PD) makes early diagnosis difficult. Notably, idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) was reported as a prodrome of PD, which may represent a breakthrough for the early diagnosis of PD. However, currently there is no reliable biomarker for PD diagnosis. Considering that α‐synuclein (α‐Syn) and neuroinflammation are known to develop prior to the onset of clinical symptoms in PD, it was hypothesized that plasma total exosomal α‐Syn (t‐exo α‐Syn), neural‐derived exosomal α‐Syn (n‐exo α‐Syn) and exosomal apoptosis‐associated speck‐like protein containing a caspase activation and recruitment domain (ASC) may be potential biomarkers of PD.

Methods

In this study, 78 PD patients, 153 probable iRBD patients (pRBD) and 63 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. α‐Syn concentrations were measured using a one‐step paramagnetic particle‐based chemiluminescence immunoassay, and ASC levels were measured using the Ella system.

Results

It was found that t‐exo α‐Syn was significantly increased in the PD group compared to the pRBD and HC groups (p < 0.0001), whilst n‐exo α‐Syn levels were significantly increased in both the PD and pRBD groups compared to HCs (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, although no difference was found in ASC levels between the PD and pRBD groups, there was a positive correlation between ASC and α‐Syn in exosomes.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that both t‐exo α‐Syn and n‐exo α‐Syn were elevated in the PD group, whilst only n‐exo α‐Syn was elevated in the pRBD group. Additionally, the adaptor protein of inflammasome ASC is correlated with α‐Syn and may facilitate synucleinopathy.
Molecular basis for the recognition of CIZ1 by ERH
Authors: Wang Xiaoyang , Xie Huabin , Zhu Zhongliang , Zhang Jiahai , Xu Chao
Published: September 2022

Enhancer of rudimentary homologue (ERH), a small protein conserved in eukaryotes, is involved in a wide spectrum of cellular events, including cell cycle progression, piRNA biogenesis, miRNA maturation and gene expression. Human ERH is recruited to replication foci by CDKN1A‐interacting zinc finger protein 1 (CIZ1), and plays an important role in cell growth control. However, the molecular basis for CIZ1 recognition by ERH remains unknown. By using GST pull‐down experiment, we found that a fragment within CIZ1, upstream of its first zinc finger, is sufficient for binding to ERH. We solved the structure of CIZ1‐bound ERH, in which the ERH dimer binds to two CIZ1 fragments to form a 2 : 2 heterotetramer. CIZ1 forms intermolecular antiparallel β‐strands with ERH, and its binding surface on ERH is distinct from those of other known ERH‐binding ligands. The ERH–CIZ1 interface was further validated by mutagenesis and binding experiments. Our structural study complemented by biochemistry experiments not only provides insights into a previously unidentified ligand‐binding mode for ERH but also sheds light on the understanding of evolutionarily conserved roles for ERH orthologs.
A stated preference survey to explore patient preferences for novel preventive migraine treatments
Authors: Hubig Lena T. , Smith Timothy , Chua Gin Nie , Lloyd Andrew J. , Powell Lauren , Johnston Karissa , Harris Linda , L'Italien Gilbert , Coric Vladimir , Lo Siu Hing
Published: September 2022

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore patient preference for attributes of calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors for the preventive treatment of migraine and to describe differences in treatment preferences between patients.

Background

CGRP inhibitors are a novel class of migraine drugs specifically developed for the preventive treatment of migraine. Clinicians should understand patient preferences for CGRP inhibitors to inform and support prescribing choices.

Methods

Patients with migraine in the US and Germany were recruited to participate in an online discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey, which presented hypothetical treatment choices using five attributes: mode of administration, side effects, migraine frequency, migraine severity, and consistency of treatment effectiveness. Attribute selection was informed by a literature review and semi‐structured patient interviews (n = 35), and evaluated using patient cognitive debriefing interviews (n = 5).

Results

Of 680 who consented to participate, 506 participants completed the survey and were included in the study (US = 257; Germany = 249). Overall, participants placed highest importance (preference weight, beta = 1.65, p < 0.001) on the treatment's ability to reduce the severity of migraine (mild vs. unchanged severity), followed by consistent treatment effectiveness (beta = 1.13, p < 0.001), and higher chance of reduced migraine frequency (beta = 1.00, p < 0.001). Participants preferred an oral tablet every other day (beta = 1.00, p < 0.001) over quarterly infusion, quarterly injections (p = 0.019), or monthly injection (p < 0.001). Preference for all treatment attributes were heterogeneous, and the subgroup analyses found that participants naïve to CGRP monoclonal antibody treatments had a stronger preference for oral therapy compared to those with such experience (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

In this DCE assessing CGRP inhibitors attributes, the main driver of patient choice was treatment effectiveness, specifically reduced migraine severity, and consistent treatment effectiveness. Further, patients exhibited an overall preference for an oral tablet every other day over injectables. Patients' experience with previous treatments informs the value they place on treatment characteristics.
Helicobacter pylori and cardiovascular risk: Only a dead Helicobacter is a good Helicobacter?
Authors: Wernly Sarah , Semmler Georg , Völkerer Andreas , Flamm Maria , Aigner Elmar , Niederseer David , Wernly Bernhard , Datz Christian
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and cardiovascular (CV) disease share common symptoms and underlie many general medical complaints. Preliminary studies suggest an association between H. pylori positivity and CV risk, and gastroenterological guidelines recommend eradication of H. pylori in patients with manifest atherosclerosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the reciprocal association of H. pylori positivity and CV risk for their independence of shared risk factors.

Methods

We included 3284 asymptomatic participants of a colorectal cancer screening cohort who were offered and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. We calculated the 10‐year risk for a CV event using the novel SCORE2 for each patient. We evaluated the association between H. pylori positivity and CV risk assessed by SCORE2 using both multilevel logistic and linear regression. We adjusted for age, sex and the concomitant diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Lastly, we assessed the association between H. pylori status and mortality using proportional hazard Cox regression.

Results

In total, 2659 patients were H. pylori negative and 625 H. pylori positive. Helicobacter pylori positivity was associated with SCORE2 and remained so (r = .33; 95% CI 0.09–0.57; p = .006) after adjustment for age, sex, and the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome. Also, SCORE2 was associated with higher odds for H. pylori positivity (aOR 1.03 95% CI 1.01–1.05; p = .02) even after multivariable adjustment. Helicobacter pylori positivity was associated with neither CV (HR 0.60 95% CI 0.14–2.63; p = .50) nor all‐cause (HR 1.20 95% CI 0.77–1.87; p = .43) mortality during a median follow‐up of 9 years.

Conclusions

In our study, H. pylori positivity and CV risk were independently associated. This did not translate into a dissimilar CV mortality between H. pylori positive and H. pylori negative patients. However, the overwhelming majority of our patients underwent H. pylori eradication. We, therefore, think that H. pylori eradication is at least safe from a cardiovascular perspective and warranted from gastrointestinal standpoint.
The perceived fair duration of unemployment benefits for older workers. The role of lifetime achievements in the labour market
Authors: Senghaas Monika , Osiander Christopher , Stephan Gesine , Struck Olaf , Wolff Richard
Published: September 2022

The welfare state regulates social policies and reallocates scarce resources. For the social legitimacy of the welfare state, it is important that the public supports the principles underlying this reallocation. This article examines the impact of different activities during the life course on public deservingness perceptions of older unemployed people. In a factorial survey experiment conducted among a random sample of individuals drawn from German administrative employment records, we examine the maximum duration of benefit receipt which is perceived as fair for older unemployed persons with different biographies. The results indicate strong public support for a nexus between previous contributions and benefit entitlements. Besides financial contributions to unemployment insurance, parenting and further training are considered to be ‘lifetime achievements’ which justify longer unemployment benefit receipt. We interpret these findings as an expression of a generalised form of reciprocity which guides perceptions of deservingness regarding older unemployed persons.
Integrating instructional designs of personalized learning through the lens of universal design for learning
Authors: Zhang Ling , Carter Richard Allen , Basham James D. , Yang Sohyun
Published: September 2022

Background

Personalized learning (PL), conceptualized as an education innovation that tailors learning to meet diverse student needs, has drawn increased attention from different fields of study, such as education, learning sciences, and computer science. Regardless, there is a lack of a comprehensive understanding of PL instructional designs supported by technology.

Objectives

This systematic literature review aimed to provide an empirical integration of PL designs and implementation across disciplines through the lens of the universal design for learning (UDL) framework. As an instructional framework that guides the design to embrace learner variability, UDL holds the potential to provide foundational considerations for instructional design components of PL.

Methods

We used four databases including ERIC, OmniFile Full Text Select, Academic Search Complete, and Web of Science to search empirical studies investigating technology‐supported PL in PK‐12 school‐based settings. In total, 61 studies published between 2006 and 2020 were included in the review. We analysed PL design and implementation features and aligned these features to the UDL framework.

Results and Conclusions

Our results indicated that current empirical PL design features were widely mapped onto the UDL framework. Most current PL studies investigated segmented aspects such as student attributes (e.g., interest, motivation, self‐regulation) and instructional practices (e.g., facilitating goal setting) that could contribute to PL design. Rarely did studies investigate how PL was operationalized in a system integrating various design components that consider learner characteristics, instructional support, and contextual implementation factors.

Implications

The analysis of alignment between PL designs within the UDL framework can serve as a starting point for stakeholders to take a more holistic approach to designing PL experiences for all learners.
Analytics of learning tactics and strategies in an online learnersourcing environment
Authors: Lahza Hatim , Khosravi Hassan , Demartini Gianluca
Published: September 2022

Background

The use of crowdsourcing in a pedagogically supported form to partner with learners in developing novel content is emerging as a viable approach for engaging students in higher‐order learning at scale. However, how students behave in this form of crowdsourcing, referred to as learnersourcing, is still insufficiently explored.

Objectives

To contribute to filling this gap, this study explores how students engage with learnersourcing tasks across a range of course and assessment designs.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory study on trace data of 1279 students across three courses, originating from the use of a learnersourcing environment under different assessment designs. We employed a new methodology from the learning analytics (LA) field that aims to represent students' behaviour through two theoretically‐derived latent constructs: learning tactics and the learning strategies built upon them.

Results

The study's results demonstrate students use different tactics and strategies, highlight the association of learnersourcing contexts with the identified learning tactics and strategies, indicate a significant association between the strategies and performance and contribute to the employed method's generalisability by applying it to a new context.

Implications

This study provides an example of how learning analytics methods can be employed towards the development of effective learnersourcing systems and, more broadly, technological educational solutions that support learner‐centred and data‐driven learning at scale. Findings should inform best practices for integrating learnersourcing activities into course design and shed light on the relevance of tactics and strategies to support teachers in making informed pedagogical decisions.
Effects of supplementary pollen on the life history traits of predatory mite Euseius nicholsi across generations
Authors: He Yu‐Min , Li Guang‐Yun , Liu Ming‐Xiu , Liu Huai , Wang Zi‐Ying
Published: September 2022

Pollen as one of the most important supplementary food benefits the generalist predators in many aspects. However, little is known about the performance of generalist predators with type IV lifestyle when they are reared continuously on prey supplemented with pollen for many generations. In this study, the life history traits of the predatory mites Euseius nicholsi (Ehara et Lee) (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were compared when two prey species, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Eotetranychus kanktus Ehara (Acari: Tetranychidae) were offered with the presence/absence of camellia pollen. The results showed that the mixed diet of prey and pollen significantly improved the fitness of predatory mites. Predatory mites with pollen as supplementary food developed 1 day faster than their counterparts fed only with prey. They survived much longer and produced almost twice as many eggs as their counterparts. Nevertheless, these benefits were only evident in the first few generations and faded away from Generation 5. This study advanced our understanding by indicating that the beneficial effects of supplementary pollen decreased along with generations and clarifying that T. urticae was a more nutritious prey to E. nicholsi.
Podomonas kaiyoae n. sp., a novel apusomonad growing axenically
Authors: Yabuki Akinori , Tame Akihiro , Mizuno Keiko
Published: September 2022

Apusomonadida (apusomonads) is a group of heterotrophic biflagellates that feed on bacteria and small protists. Their diversity is not fully understood, and several major lineages remain to be identified in natural environments. Here, we report Podomonas kaiyoae n. sp., which was isolated from deep‐sea sediment and can be maintained as an axenic culture. While P. kaiyoae branched within one of the major unidentified lineages, the combination of the morphological characteristics is generally similar to that of Podomonas species, but can be distinguished from that of other Podomonas species based on the cell sizes.
Demographics, Monetary Policy, and the Zero Lower Bound
Authors: BIELECKI MARCIN , BRZOZA‐BRZEZINA MICHAŁ , KOLASA MARCIN
Published: September 2022

We develop a New Keynesian life‐cycle model to assess the importance of population aging for monetary policy. The model successfully matches the age profiles of consumption‐savings decisions made by European households. It implies that demographic trends contribute significantly to the decline of the natural rate of interest (NRI) and potential output growth, and exacerbate the risk of hitting the zero lower bound (ZLB), given the current inflation targets. Under a realistic assumption that the central bank updates its estimates of the NRI only with some lag, aging may additionally lead to a sizable and persistent deflationary bias, elevating the ZLB risk even further.
A comparison of different antibiotic regimens for the treatment of naturally acquired shigellosis in rhesus and pigtailed macaques (Macaca mulatta and nemestrina)
Authors: Maxwell Amanda Rae , Herrod Jessica Ann , Hutchinson Eric Kenneth
Published: September 2022

Background

Shigella spp. are common enteric pathogens in captive non‐human primates. Treatment of symptomatic infections involves supportive care and antibiotic therapy, typically with an empirical choice of antibiotic.

Methods

Twenty‐four clinically ill, Shigella PCR‐positive animals were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: single‐dose ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA), single‐dose azithromycin gavage, a 5‐day tapering azithromycin dose, or 7‐day course of enrofloxacin. We hypothesized that all antimicrobial therapies would have similar efficacy.

Results

Animals in all groups cleared Shigella, based on fecal PCR, and had resolution of clinical signs 2 weeks after treatment. Eight out of nine clinically ill and PCR‐positive animals tested negative by fecal culture.

Conclusions

Single‐dose CCFA, single‐dose azithromycin, and a 5‐day tapering course of azithromycin all performed as well as a 7‐day course of enrofloxacin in eliminating Shigella infection. Fecal PCR may be a better diagnostic than culture for Shigella.