bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cumulative outcome of pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis for sickle cell disease: a 5‐year review
Authors: Vali Saaliha , Mukhtar Sunbal , Nandi Anupa , Wilson Kieren , Oakley Laura , El‐Toukhy Tarek , Oteng‐Ntim Eugene
Published: July 2020

To review the cumulative outcome of pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) cycles performed for prevention of sickle cell disease (SCD). Couples referred for PGD for SCD between April 2012 and October 2017 were included. Ovarian stimulation was performed using a short gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol and follicle‐stimulating hormone injections. The GnRH agonist was used to trigger oocyte maturation. Oocytes were fertilised using intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Trophectoderm biopsy was performed on day 5 or 6 followed by vitrification. Genetic testing was done using pre‐implantation genetic haplotyping. A total of 60 couples started 70 fresh PGD cycles (mean 1·2 cycles/couple) and underwent a total of 74 frozen‐embryo‐transfer (FET) cycles (mean 1·3 FET/couple). The mean (SD) female age was 33 (4·4) years and the mean (SD) anti‐müllerian hormone level was 22·9 (2·8) pmol/l. The cumulative live‐birth rate was 54%/PGD cycle started and 63%/couple embarking on PGD. The rate of multiple births was 8%. The cumulative outcome of PGD treatment for prevention of SCD transmission is high and PGD treatment should be offered to all at‐risk couples.
Heterogeneity in reporting venous thromboembolic phenotypes in COVID‐19: methodological issues and clinical implications
Authors: Kollias Anastasios , Kyriakoulis Konstantinos G. , Stergiou George S. , Syrigos Konstantinos
Published: July 2020

COVID‐19 is associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE). However, there is significant heterogeneity in the thromboembolic phenotypes of COVID‐19 patients (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism/thrombosis). The latter might be partly attributed to the variation in VTE risk factors in COVID‐19 patients including: (i) patients’ characteristics; (ii) hospitalization conditions and interventions; and (iii) SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific factors (coagulopathy, endothelial injury/microthrombosis). Furthermore, there is methodological heterogeneity in relation to the assessment of VTE (indications for screening, diagnostic methodology, etc). Physicians should be aware of the increased VTE risk, strongly consider VTE screening, and use thromboprophylaxis in all hospitalized patients.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the metabolic effects of modified‐release hydrocortisone versus standard glucocorticoid replacement therapy in adults with adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Bannon Christopher A. , Gallacher Daniel , Hanson Petra , Randeva Harpal S. , Weickert Martin O. , Barber Thomas M.
Published: July 2020

Context

Published studies exploring the metabolic effects of Modified‐Release Hydrocortisone (MR‐HC) replacement in patients with adrenal insufficiency (AI).

Objective

To compare metabolic effects of MR‐HC with Standard Glucocorticoid (SG) replacement in adults with AI. Randomized control trials (RCTs) were meta‐analysed; non‐RCT studies described narratively with critical appraisal.

Data sources

PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL were searched to identify relevant articles, published before Aug 2019.

Study selection

All study types that reported metabolic profile (including anthropometric, glucose and lipid‐related parameters), on patients switched from SG to MR‐HC replacement. Following independent screening from two reviewers, 390 studies were identified, of which 9 studies were included for review (RCT, n = 2; non‐RCT, n = 7).

Data extraction

Two independent reviewers assessed each paper for bias and data extraction.

Results

Meta‐analysis from RCTs (n = 2), 104 patients were switched from SG to MR‐HC replacement. Combining treatment effects, at 3‐months post‐therapy switch there was significant reduction in body weight (−0.82 kg; 95% CI: −1.24 kg to −0.40 kg; P < .001) and HbA1c (−0.13%; 95% CI: −0.214% to −0.045%; P = .003). In the sub‐group with Diabetes Mellitus (DM), reduction in HbA1C was more pronounced (−0.52%; 95% CI: −0.82% to −0.23%; P < .001). Non‐RCT studies showed improved anthropometric measures and glucose metabolism up to 48‐months following switch from SG to MR‐HC replacement.

Conclusions

In adults with AI, replacement with MR‐HC associates with significant improvements in anthropometric measurements and HbA1c compared with SG replacement, particularly those with DM.
Fetal megacystis‐microcolon: Genetic mutational spectrum and identification of PDCL3 as a novel candidate gene
Authors: Billon Clarisse , Molin Arnaud , Poirsier Céline , Clemenson Alix , Dauge Coralie , Grelet Maude , Sigaudy Sabine , Patrier Sophie , Goldenberg Alice , Layet Valérie , Tantau Julia , Fleury Clémence , Liard Agnès , Diguet Alain , Fritih Radia , Verspyck Eric , Rendu John , Boutaud Lucile , Tessier Aude , Thomas Sophie , Razavi Ferechté , Achaiaa Amale , Elkhartoufi Nadia , Hakkakian Leila , Magnin Eglantine , Bôle‐Feysot Christine , Masson Cécile , Ville Yves , Roth Philippe , Prieur Fabienne , Bessieres Bettina , Bonniere Maryse , Attie‐Bitach Tania
Published: July 2020

Megacystis‐microcolon‐intestinal‐hypoperistalsis syndrome (MMIHS) is a severe congenital visceral myopathy characterized by an abdominal distension due to a large non‐obstructed urinary bladder, a microcolon and intestinal hypo‐ or aperistalsis. Most of the patients described to date carry a sporadic heterozygous variant in ACTG2. More recently, recessive forms have been reported and mutations in MYH11, LMOD1, MYLK and MYL9 have been described at the molecular level. In the present report, we describe five patients carrying a recurrent heterozygous variant in ACTG2. Exome sequencing performed in four families allowed us to identify the genetic cause in three. In two families, we identified variants in MMIHS causal genes, respectively a nonsense homozygous variant in MYH11 and a previously described homozygous deletion in MYL9. Finally, we identified compound heterozygous variants in a novel candidate gene, PDCL3, c.[143_144del];[380G>A], p.[(Tyr48Ter)];[(Cys127Tyr)]. After cDNA analysis, a complete absence of PDLC3 expression was observed in affected individuals, indicating that both mutated transcripts were unstable and prone to mediated mRNA decay. PDCL3 encodes a protein involved in the folding of actin, a key step in thin filament formation. Presumably, loss‐of‐function of this protein affects the contractility of smooth muscle tissues, making PDCL3 an excellent candidate gene for autosomal recessive forms of MMIHS.
Introduction: Asian Cities and Urban Settlers
Authors: Sand Jordan
Published: July 2020

This essay introduces six studies based on oral history and ethnography in spontaneous urban settlements in East and Southeast Asia. It proposes that asking residents to tell the history of their settlements provides an important tool for understanding them in the context of their cities. Rather than focusing on the theoretical issues around “informality,” we seek to understand the settlement process itself, in both material and discursive terms.
Ontogenetic Emergence of Cognitive Reference Comprehension
Authors: Rüther Johanna , Liszkowski Ulf
Published: July 2020

Prelinguistic cognitive reference comprehension is foundational to language acquisition and higher cognitive functions. However, its ontogenetic origins in the first year of life are currently not well understood. The current study pitted cognitivist against social interactionist views. We worked with infants monthly from 10 to 13 months of age and observed their behavioral search during a reference comprehension task. Our goal was to first establish the age at which infants begin to cognitively expect an occluded object in one of two locations following a communicative pointing cue. We then tested whether infants' cognitive referential expectations would prospectively predict social interaction skills and experiences (as assessed by spontaneous infant and parent pointing) or, conversely, be predicted by social interaction skills and experiences. Results revealed a linear increase in cognitive reference comprehension, with clear above chance performance, individual stability in month‐to‐month correlations, and a synchronous correlation to referential pointing all emerging at 12 months but not earlier. Regarding developmental predictions, infants' cognitive referential expectations were not predictive of social interaction skills and experiences; on the contrary, they were predicted by social interaction skills and experiences. Findings suggest that a nonverbal cognitive understanding of reference to occluded entities is neither early emerging, hard wired, nor causal to infants' or caregivers' referential pointing. Instead, this foundational skill is predicted by earlier social interaction. Findings are consistent with the view that cognitive reference comprehension develops via a social construction process in the first year of life.
Is Complex Visual Information Implicated During Language Comprehension? The Case of Cast Shadows
Authors: Horchak Oleksandr V. , Garrido Margarida Vaz
Published: July 2020

Previous research showed that sensorimotor information affects the perception of properties associated with implied perceptual context during language comprehension. Three experiments addressed a novel question of whether perceptual context may contribute to a simulation of information about such out‐of‐sight objects as cast shadows. In Experiment 1, participants read a sentence that implied a particular shadow cast on a target (blinds vs. an open window) and then verified the picture of the object onto which a shadow was cast. Responses were faster when the shadow of blinds cast on the object matched that implied by the sentence. However, the data did not show the same matching effect for pictures with cast shadows from an open window. In Experiments 2 and 3, we found that verification times for pictures with no cast shadows were faster when preceded by an “open window” sentence, thus suggesting that reading the sentence does not elicit a visual simulation of any specific shadow. Experiment 3 showed that the objects superimposed with a cast shadow of the blinds and blinds themselves were verified faster after reading a “blinds” sentence. However, the results of an order analysis showed the temporal stability of the “blinds shadows” effect, but the disappearance of the “blinds” effect in the second half of the data. We conclude that the results are compatible, to a lesser or greater extent, with multiple accounts, and discuss our findings in the context of a mental imagery view, a mental simulation view, and an amodal representation view.
A proposed strategy for management of immunosuppression in heart transplant patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Ahluwalia Monica , Givertz Michael M. , Mehra Mandeep R.
Published: July 2020

There is limited experience in management of orthotopic heart transplant (OHT) patients with COVID‐19. In this study, we present our initial experience using a standardized management algorithm. Data collection was performed on OHT patients with COVID‐19 after March 10, 2020 (declaration of state of emergency in Massachusetts). Among the 358 OHT patients currently followed at our program, 5 patients (1.4%) tested positive for COVID‐19 (median age 50 years [IQR, 49‐58], duration post‐OHT 21 years [IQR, 6‐25], and 4 of 5 [80%] were men). Among the 5 OHT patients, 2 of 5 (20%) had mild disease and had no change in baseline immunosuppression therapy. Two of 5 (20%) had moderate disease and received remdesivir as part of a clinical trial and reduced immunosuppression therapy. One patient (20%) died prior to presenting to the hospital, consistent with 20% case fatality rate. Four patients (80%) are doing well 4 weeks post‐discharge. In this small cohort of OHT patients with COVID‐19, we report a 1.4% COVID‐19 infection rate and 20% case fatality rate. All OHT patients managed under our clinical management algorithm had good short‐term outcomes. Further study to estimate the true risk profile of OHT patients and validate the proposed management strategy is warranted.
Intraspecific interference between native parasitoids modified by a non‐native parasitoid and its consequence on population dynamics
Authors: Nakamichi Yasufumi , Tuda Midori , Wajnberg Eric
Published: July 2020

1. The number of natural enemies that should be introduced to control a pest is a controversial subject in biocontrol. A previous semi‐mechanistic model parameterised using a laboratory system consisting of two parasitoid wasps, Anisopteromalus calandrae and Heterospilus prosopidis, parasitising a pest beetle, Callosobruchus chinensis, indicated that the introduction of the non‐native parasitoid H. prosopidis decreases the level of intraspecific interference between native A. calandrae females. The model also suggested that this decrease was the main factor destabilising the population dynamics of the host–parasitoid system, resulting in chaos.

2. To test this population‐level decrease and host density independence in the interference of A. calandrae, we observed individual behaviours to quantify the level of intraspecific interference between two A. calandrae females in the presence or absence of H. prosopidis at two different host densities.

3. When H. prosopidis was present, the number of direct antagonistic interference events between A. calandrae females, sting duration, host feeding events (but not stinging events), and patch residence time were reduced. However, the presence of H. prosopidis decreased the patch residence time and the proportion of hosts parasitised by A. calandrae only when the host density was low.

4. The reduction in intraspecific interference between A. calandrae females by H. prosopidis and its host density independence support the population‐level prediction, whereas the observed reduction in host‐feeding behaviours in A. calandrae by H. prosopidis was not predicted. Overall pest control by the native parasitoid was unaffected by the non‐native parasitoid as host density increased.
Notes on the larval morphology of Trichoferus campestris (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), a wood borer frequently intercepted in wood packaging material
Authors: Connell J. , Hinterstoisser W. , Hoch G.
Published: July 2020

Trichoferus campestris (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) is one of the most frequently intercepted woodborers in imported wood packaging material. Typically, inspectors encounter the insect in the larval stage. Based on analysis of larvae from a total of seven interceptions during import inspections in Austria and comparison with literature, the authors provide an illustrated description of the larval morphology of T. campestris to assist determination of this species.
Transcriptomic divergence between upland and lowland ecotypes contributes to rice adaptation to a drought‐prone agroecosystem
Authors: Luo Zhi , Xiong Jie , Xia Hui , Ma Xiaosong , Gao Min , Wang Lei , Liu Guolan , Yu Xinqiao , Luo Lijun
Published: July 2020

Introduction

Transcriptomic divergence drives plant ecological adaptation. Upland rice is differentiated in drought tolerance from lowland rice during its adaptation to the drought‐prone environment. They provide a good system to learn the evolution of drought tolerance in rice.

Methods and Results

We estimate morphological differences between the two rice ecotypes under well‐watered and drought conditions, as well as their genetic and transcriptomic divergences by the high‐throughput sequencing. Upland rice possesses higher expression diversity than lowland rice does. Thousands of genes exhibit expression divergences between the two rice ecotypes, which contributes to their morphological differences in drought tolerance. These transcriptomic divergences contribute to drought adaptation of upland rice during its domestication. Mutations in transcriptional regulatory regions, which cause presence and absence of cis‐elements, are the cause of expression divergence. About 15.3% transcriptionally selected genes also receive sequence‐based selection in upland or lowland ecotype. Some highly differentiated genes promote the transcriptomic divergence between rice ecotypes via gene co‐expression network. In addition, we also detected transcriptomic trade‐offs between drought tolerance and productivity.

Discussion

Many key genes, which promote transcriptomic adaptation to drought in upland rice, have great prospective in breeding water‐saving and drought‐resistant rice. Meanwhile, appropriate strategies are required in breeding to overcome the potential transcriptomic trade‐off.
Skin colour and vitamin D: An update
Authors: Hanel Andrea , Carlberg Carsten
Published: July 2020

Homo sapiens evolved in East Africa and had dark skin, hair, and eyes, in order to protect against deleterious consequences of intensive UV radiation at equatorial latitudes. Intensive skin pigmentation was thought to bear the risk of inefficient vitamin D3 synthesis in the skin. This initiated the hypothesis that within the past 75 000 years, in which humans migrated to higher latitudes in Asia and Europe, the need for vitamin D3 synthesis served as an evolutionary driver for skin lightening. In this review, we summarize the recent archeogenomic reconstruction of population admixture in Europe and demonstrate that skin lightening happened as late as 5000 years ago through immigration of lighter pigmented populations from western Anatolia and the Russian steppe but not primarily via evolutionary pressure for vitamin D3 synthesis. We show that variations in genes encoding for proteins being responsible for the transport, metabolism and signalling of vitamin D provide alternative mechanisms of adaptation to a life in northern latitudes without suffering from consequences of vitamin D deficiency. This includes hypotheses explaining differences in the vitamin D status and response index of European populations.
Infidelity in the Time of COVID‐19
Authors: Coop Gordon Kristina , Mitchell Erica A.
Published: July 2020

Infidelity occurs in approximately 25% of marriages and is associated with various negative consequences for individuals (e.g., depression, anxiety, and post‐traumatic stress), the couple relationship (e.g., financial loss, increased conflict, and aggression), and the couple's children (e.g., internalizing and externalizing behaviors). Infidelity is also one of the most frequently cited reasons for divorce. The increased stress brought on by the pandemic may be putting couples at an increased risk for experiencing infidelity, and data collected during the pandemic have shown that people across the United States are engaging in behaviors that are associated with a high likelihood of experiencing infidelity. The negative consequences of infidelity are also likely to be exacerbated for couples during the pandemic due to the intersection with the social, emotional, and financial consequences of COVID‐19. Furthermore, couples are likely to experience disruptions and delays to the affair recovery process during the pandemic, which can negatively impact their ability to heal. Therefore, recommendations for navigating affair recovery during the pandemic, including adaptations for therapy, are also discussed.
The Witness to Witness Program: Helping the Helpers in the Context of the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Weingarten Kaethe , Galván‐Durán Alma R. , D’Urso Sol , Garcia Deliana
Published: July 2020

The Witness to Witness Program (W2W), based on Weingarten’s witnessing model (2000, 2003, 2004), began in July 2018 and originally was established to support healthcare workers and attorneys (our partners) who were experiencing empathic distress working with people involved in various stages of the detention process. The W2W program evolved to offer four primary components: clinician listening sessions geared to deep understanding of the person’s story of their work and its challenges; an inventory of the person’s current internal and external resources both in the present and in the past; help with removal of barriers to those resources; and development of a personal toolkit to handle stress. Additional services available to partners and their organizations included psycho‐educational webinars, facilitated peer support groups, and organizational consultations to foster trauma‐sensitive and resilience‐hardy work environments. In March, after lockdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic, W2W pivoted to focus on handouts and webinars addressing how to cope with distress and moral injury, maintaining resilience, coping with grief, and dealing with multiple losses caused by the pandemic. Disaster sparked collaboration and innovation. A train the trainer model was developed to reach more community health workers providing services to the Latinx community dealing with losses similar to those experienced by the clients they serve. W2W continues to create virtual communities of support. In doing so we practice doing reasonable hope together (Weingarten, Family Process, 2010, 49, 5).
Mechanical behaviours of granite containing two flaws under uniaxial increasing‐amplitude fatigue loading conditions: An insight into fracture evolution analyses
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Changhong , Han Jianqiang , Wang Huajian
Published: July 2020

This work aims to investigate the fracture evolution of granite containing two pre‐existing flaws under uniaxial increasing‐amplitude fatigue conditions using macroscopic stress strain descriptions and posttest three‐dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) technique. The impacts of flaw arrangement (i.e., approach angle of 20°, 50° and 70°) on the stress strain responses, hysteresis loop shape, damage evolution and crack coalescence pattern at rock bridge segment were investigated. Results show that rock structure has an obvious impact on macroscopic stress strain responses, volumetric strain, dynamic elastic modulus and damping ratio. The sparse‐dense pattern of hysteresis loop is different at each loading stage caused by the differential accumulative damage. The damping ratio increases and dynamic elastic modulus decreases with the increasing fatigue loading stage. Posttest 3D CT visualization reveals a most striking finding that crack coalescence is easy for rock having low approach angle, and complex crack network forms for rock having high approach angle.
Freedom or money? The dilemma of migrant live‐in elderly carers in times of COVID‐19
Authors: Giordano Chiara
Published: July 2020

As a consequence of the lockdown measures imposed by the Belgian government to fight against COVID‐19, migrant live‐in elderly carers had to choose between safeguarding their job — at the detriment of their personal freedom, their health and their working conditions — and safeguarding their freedom but losing their job — at the detriment of their economic survival and that of their families. This article explores this dilemma from an intersectionality perspective. In order to understand their experience in times of COVID‐19 and their response to this dilemma, I analyse their position as women, as migrants, as elderly care workers, as family breadwinners and as ‘quasi‐family members’ in the families of their employer — which correspond to five interlocking systems of oppression.
THE EFFECTS OF NEWS WHEN LIQUIDITY MATTERS
Authors: Gu Chao , Han Han , Wright Randall
Published: July 2020

We analyze the impact of news (information shocks) in economies where liquidity matters, including those with endogenous credit limits, and those with assets serving as collateral or media of exchange. Although we also consider news about productivity and credit conditions, a leading case concerns monetary policy announcements. Real or monetary news has big effects on markets, potentially causing cyclic or boom–bust responses, even though we focus on the unique transition consistent with stationarity after shocks. In particular, policy announcements may induce instead of reduce volatility. We also discuss the implications for the inflation puzzle, forward‐guidance puzzle, and other apparent anomalies.
THE HOUSING STOCK, HOUSING PRICES, AND USER COSTS: THE ROLES OF LOCATION, STRUCTURE, AND UNOBSERVED QUALITY
Authors: Halket Jonathan , Nesheim Lars , Oswald Florian
Published: July 2020

Which housing characteristics are important for understanding homeownership rates? How are housing characteristics priced in rental and owner‐occupied markets? What can answers to these questions tell us about economic theories of homeownership? Using the English Housing Survey, we estimate a selection model of property allocations to the owner‐occupied and rental sectors. Structural characteristics and unobserved quality are important for selection. Location is not. Accounting for selection is important for rent‐to‐price ratio estimates and explains some puzzling correlations between rent‐to‐price ratios and homeownership rates. These patterns are consistent with, among others, hypotheses of rental market contracting frictions related to housing maintenance.
Infection risk of dermatologic therapeutics during the COVID‐19 pandemic: an evidence‐based recalibration
Authors: Ghazawi Feras M. , Lim Megan , Dutz Jan P. , Kirchhof Mark G.
Published: July 2020

Recommendations were made recently to limit or stop the use of oral and systemic immunotherapies for skin diseases due to potential risks to the patients during the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) COVID‐19 pandemic. Herein, we attempt to identify potentially safe immunotherapies that may be used in the treatment of cutaneous diseases during the current COVID‐19 pandemic. We performed a literature review to approximate the risk of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, including available data on the roles of relevant cytokines, cell subsets, and their mediators in eliciting an optimal immune response against respiratory viruses in murine gene deletion models and humans with congenital deficiencies were reviewed for viral infections risk and if possible coronaviruses specifically. Furthermore, reported risk of infections of biologic and non‐biologic therapeutics for skin diseases from clinical trials and drug data registries were evaluated. Many of the immunotherapies used in dermatology have data to support their safe use during the COVID‐19 pandemic including the biologics that target IgE, IL‐4/13, TNF‐α, IL‐17, IL‐12, and IL‐23. Furthermore, we provide evidence to show that oral immunosuppressive medications such as methotrexate and cyclosporine do not significantly increase the risk to patients. Most biologic and conventional immunotherapies, based on doses and indications in dermatology, do not appear to increase risk of viral susceptibility and are most likely safe for use during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The limitation of this study is availability of data on COVID‐19.
The effect of voting rights on firm value
Authors: Scherrer Cristina Mabel , Fernandes Marcelo
Published: July 2020

We present a simple framework for dual‐class stock shares in which common shareholders receive public and private cash flows (i.e., dividends and any private benefit of holding voting rights) and preferred shareholders only receive public cash flows. We isolate these two cash flows in order to identify the role of voting rights on equity‐holders' wealth. In particular, using a structural cointegrated VAR model, we find a negative relationship between the value of the voting right and the preferred shareholders' wealth.
The Epistemic Basic Structure
Authors: Kurtulmus Faik
Published: July 2020

The epistemic basic structure of a society consists of those institutions that have the greatest impact on individuals’ opportunity to obtain knowledge on questions they have an interest in as citizens, individuals, and public officials. It plays a central role in the production and dissemination of knowledge and in ensuring that people have the capability to assimilate this knowledge. It includes institutions of science and education, the media, search engines, libraries, museums, think tanks, and various government agencies. This article identifies two demands of justice that apply specifically to the institutions that belong to it. First, the epistemic basic structure should serve all citizens fairly and reliably. It should provide them with the opportunity to acquire knowledge they need for their deliberations about the common good, their individual good, and how to pursue them. Second, the epistemic basic structure should produce and disseminate the knowledge that various experts and public officials need to successfully pursue justice and citizens need to effectively exercise their rights. After arguing for these duties, I discuss what policies follow from them and respond to the worry that these duties have illiberal implications.
Association between periodontal disease, tooth loss and liver diseases risk
Authors: Chen You , Yang Yu‐chong , Zhu Bao‐ling , Wu Cong‐cong , Lin Rui‐fang , Zhang Xi
Published: July 2020

Aim

The purpose of this study is to assess the associations between periodontal disease, tooth loss and liver diseases.

Materials and methods

PubMed and Embase databases were utilized to search eligible studies. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used as effect size to assess the associations between periodontal disease, tooth loss and liver diseases risk.

Results

Our results indicated positive associations between periodontal disease and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06–1.33), liver cirrhosis (OR = 2.28, 95% CI = 1.50–3.48) and elevated transaminase level risk (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.02–1.15). Moreover, tooth loss could increase NAFLD (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.12– 1.56) and liver cancer risk (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.04–1.74), and every five increment in tooth loss was associated with 5% increased liver cancer risk (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01 – 1.10) with a linear relationship. In addition, tooth loss had a positive tendency towards liver cirrhosis risk (OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 0.85–4.85) although there was no statistical significance.

Conclusion

Periodontal disease and tooth loss are positively associated with liver diseases including NAFLD, elevated transaminase level, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Sleep restriction alters children’s positive emotional responses, but effects are moderated by anxiety
Authors: Alfano Candice A. , Bower Joanne L. , Harvey Allison G. , Beidel Deborah C. , Sharp Carla , Palmer Cara A.
Published: July 2020

Background

An abundance of cross‐sectional research links inadequate sleep with poor emotional health, but experimental studies in children are rare. Further, the impact of sleep loss is not uniform across individuals and pre‐existing anxiety might potentiate the effects of poor sleep on children’s emotional functioning.

Methods

A sample of 53 children (7–11 years, M = 9.0; 56% female) completed multimodal, assessments in the laboratory when rested and after two nights of sleep restriction (7 and 6 hr in bed, respectively). Sleep was monitored with polysomnography and actigraphy. Subjective reports of affect and arousal, psychophysiological reactivity and regulation, and objective emotional expression were examined during two emotional processing tasks, including one where children were asked to suppress their emotional responses.

Results

After sleep restriction, deleterious alterations were observed in children’s affect, emotional arousal, facial expressions, and emotion regulation. These effects were primarily detected in response to positive emotional stimuli. The presence of anxiety symptoms moderated most alterations in emotional processing observed after sleep restriction.

Conclusions

Results suggest inadequate sleep preferentially impacts positive compared to negative emotion in prepubertal children and that pre‐existing anxiety symptoms amplify these effects. Implications for children’s everyday socioemotional lives and long‐term affective risk are highlighted.
Life history and population dynamics of an endangered seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) within an artificial habitat
Authors: Claassens Louw , Harasti David
Published: July 2020

Species‐specific life‐history information is critical for successful conservation, particularly in establishing an accurate baseline status. Obtaining such information is challenging for most species, but in particular for rare and threatened marine species. To facilitate future conservation of the endangered Knysna seahorse (Hippocampus capensis) this study aimed to determine important life‐history information for this species. Visible implant fluorescent elastomer (VIFE) tags were used to mark 78 seahorses within a residential marina estate in the Knysna estuary, South Africa, in February 2018. Using a mark‐resight approach, the size and movement patterns of the population and growth rate of seahorses were determined over a 14‐month period. The closed population estimate for H. capensis, within Thesen Islands Marina, was estimated to be 134 (118–152 95% C.I.) in February 2018 compared to only 72 (48–108 95% C.I.) in February 2019. The species showed rapid initial growth with males and females having similar rates of growth based on the specialised von Bertalanffy growth function model. The importance of Reno mattresses as a habitat for H. capensis was confirmed based on the high abundance and site fidelity of the population, which emphasises the conservation potential of heavily modified environments for threatened seahorse species. The use of VIFE tags was deemed effective in studying this endangered seahorse and allowed the collection of important information for this species which can be used in future Red List assessments and conservation actions.
Estimating population parameters of broadnose sevengill sharks (Notorynchus cepedianus) using photo identification capture‐recapture
Authors: Lewis Robert , Dawson Steve , Rayment William
Published: July 2020

The broadnose sevengill shark (Notorynchus cepedianus) is a common high trophic‐level predator around coastal New Zealand. Data on the ecology of the species in New Zealand are severely lacking, and anthropogenic impacts are unquantified. To partially address this, the authors undertook a study of the demographics of a population at Stewart Island. Sampling trips were carried out seasonally from winter 2016 to spring 2017. A baited underwater video system (BUV) was deployed on 133 occasions (mean = 22.2 deployments per season) in a shallow coastal embayment to capture underwater video of N. cepedianus for photo identification of individuals. N. cepedianus was detected on all but one deployment. Images extracted from video recorded the presence of 149 different individuals. Capture‐recapture analysis of these data using robust design methods indicated a seasonal trend in abundance of the population using the study area, ranging from 34 (95% C.I. = 21–55) during winter 2016, to 94 (95% C.I. = 44–199) during spring 2017. This study presents the first data on demographic parameters of N. cepedianus in New Zealand.
A systematic approach to assess the environmental impact of emerging technologies: A case study for the GHG footprint of CIGS solar photovoltaic laminate
Authors: van der Hulst Mitchell K. , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , van Loon Niels , Theelen Mirjam , Kootstra Lucinda , Bergesen Joseph D. , Hauck Mara
Published: July 2020

Estimating the environmental impact of emerging technologies at different stages of development is uncertain but necessary to guide investment, research, and development. Here, we propose a systematic procedure to assess the future impacts of emerging technologies. In the technology development stage (technology readiness level < 9), the recommended experience mechanisms to take into account are (a) process changes, (b) size scaling effects, and (c) process synergies. These developments can be based on previous experience with similar technologies or quantified through regression or engineering dimension calculations. In the industrial development phase, (d) industrial learning, based on experience curves or roadmaps, and (e) external developments should be included. External developments, such as changes in the electricity mix can be included with information from integrated assessment models. We show the applicability of our approach with the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint evaluation for the production of copper indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS) photovoltaic laminate. We found that the GHG footprint per kilowatt peak of produced CIGS laminate is expected to decrease by 83% going from pilot to mature industrial scale production with the largest decrease being due to expected process changes. The feasibility of applying our approach in practice would greatly benefit from the development of a database containing information on size scaling and experience rates for a wide variety of materials, products, and technologies.
OsbZIP76 interacts with OsNF‐YBs and regulates endosperm cellularization in rice (Oryza sativa)
Authors: Niu Baixiao , Deng Hui , Li Tingting , Sharma Sandeep , Yun Qianbin , Li Qianru , E Zhiguo , Chen Chen
Published: July 2020

Following double fertilization, plant endosperm nuclei undergo syncytial divisions, followed by synchronous cellularization. Cellularization is a key event during endosperm development, but our understanding of its regulation is limited to Arabidopsis. In this study we show that OsbZIP76 regulates cellularization in rice (Oryza sativa). Activation of OsbZIP76 coincided with the initiation of cellularization, and its knockdown or knockout mutants exhibited precocious cellularization. Genes involved in endosperm development or starch biosynthesis were prematurely activated in the osbzip76 caryopsis. As a putative transcription factor, OsbZIP76 alone lacked transcriptional activation activity; however, it interacted with the nuclear factor Y (NF‐Y) family transcription factors OsNF‐YB9 and OsNF‐YB1 in yeast and in planta. OsbZIP76 and OsNF‐YB9 were predominantly expressed in the endosperm and the proteins colocalized. Seeds of osnf‐yb1 and osbzip76 mutants showed reduced size and reduced apparent amylose content. The parent‐of‐origin‐dependent expression of OsbZIP76 is variable in different rice accessions. In summary, OsbZIP76 is an endosperm‐expressed imprinted gene that regulates endosperm development in rice.
Improving children's nutritional status in Cambodia: Multidimensional poverty and early integrated interventions
Authors: Karpati Julia , de Neubourg Chris , Laillou Arnaud , Poirot Etienne
Published: July 2020

One in three Cambodian children under 5 years of age are stunted. This study adopted a multidimensional approach to understand the influence of a series of contextual factors on the nutritional status of Cambodian children. In this study, we use a multidimensional poverty framework to identify a combination of interventions likely to achieve reductions in child stunting, in Cambodia. We used the UNICEF Multiple Overlapping Deprivation Analysis tool and data from the Cambodia Demographic and Health Survey 2014 to assess children's multidimensional poverty across nutrition, health, early childhood development, water, sanitation, and housing dimensions. We found that 80% of children under age five were deprived in at least two poverty dimensions. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that reducing the likelihood of being deprived in three or more poverty dimensions was associated with a significant reduction of the probability of being stunted, after controlling for potential confounders. The combined probability of nondeprivation in nutrition, sanitation, and health dimensions had the largest effect on reducing the probability of stunting. The results of this study highlight the multiple, intersecting needs of children and their associated explanatory factors. Targeted and integrated cross‐sectoral policies that reinforce comprehensive early childhood interventions are needed for improving nutritional status as part of a wider set of child poverty reduction measures in Cambodia.
The novel phosphatase RosC catalyzes the last unknown step of roseoflavin biosynthesis in Streptomyces davaonensis
Authors: Schneider Carmen , Konjik Valentino , Kißling Lena , Mack Matthias
Published: July 2020

The bacterium Streptomyces davaonensis produces the antibiotic roseoflavin, which is a riboflavin (vitamin B2) analog. The key enzyme of roseoflavin biosynthesis is the 8‐demethyl‐8‐amino‐riboflavin‐5ʹ‐phosphate (AFP) synthase RosB which synthesizes AFP from riboflavin‐5ʹ‐phosphate. AFP is not a substrate for the last enzyme of roseoflavin biosynthesis the N, N‐dimethyltransferase RosA, which generates roseoflavin from 8‐demethyl‐8‐amino‐riboflavin (AF). Consequently, the roseoflavin biosynthetic pathway depends on a phosphatase, which dephosphorylates AFP to AF. Here, we report on the identification and characterization of such an AFP phosphatase which we named RosC. The gene rosC is located immediately downstream of rosA and both genes are part of a cluster comprising 10 genes. Deletion of rosC from the chromosome of S. davaonensis led to reduced roseoflavin levels in the corresponding recombinant strain. In contrast to wild‐type S. davaonensis, cell‐free extracts of the rosC deletion strain did not catalyze dephosphorylation of AFP. RosC was purified from an overproducing Escherichia coli strain. RosC is the fastest enzyme of roseoflavin biosynthesis (kcat 31.3 ± 1.4 min–1). The apparent KM for the substrate AFP was 34.5 µM. Roseoflavin biosynthesis is now completely understood––it takes three enzymes (RosB, RosC, and RosA) to convert the flavin cofactor riboflavin‐5ʹ‐phosphate into a potent antibiotic.
Passive acoustic monitoring of the distribution patterns of Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in the middle reaches of the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar
Authors: Wang Zhi‐Tao , Duan Peng‐Xiang , Akamatsu Tomonari , Wang Ke‐Xiong , Wang Ding
Published: July 2020

The Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are an endangered species. Thus, up‐to‐date information on the distribution pattern of dolphins is critical for its proper management and conservation. Using a towed passive acoustic monitoring device, the distribution pattern of the Irrawaddy dolphins in the middle reaches of the Ayeyarwady River, Myanmar, was investigated during a vessel‐based survey between Mingun and Katha. This region was successively divided into segments 1–4 from upstream to downstream. Sixteen echolocation encounters, with a series of click trains separated by <8 min and 26 dolphin acoustic trajectories were recorded. The mean dolphin detection rate (animals/kilometer) across the four segments progressively increased from upstream to downstream. High relative abundance was observed in segment 4 (46%) and segment 1 (23%) which was consistent with findings from historical boat‐based visual surveys. The averaged interclick intervals of each click train in segment 2 and 4 was significantly shorter than that in segment 3, indicating that the dolphins in these segments frequently use shorter‐ranged biosonar. More frequent and consistent surveys with a systematic sampling track design that incorporates other factors and covering the whole distribution range along the Ayeyarwady River and at varied water levels are needed in the future.
The Meaning of Intuition for the Negotiation Process and Outcome
Authors: Kesting Peter , Nielsen Rasmus Kjærsgaard
Published: July 2020

Intuition is a useful tool for negotiators, as negotiations are often highly complex endeavors in which people make holistic judgments with incomplete information and no time for deliberation. Therefore, one might expect that intuition greatly influences negotiations and their outcomes and that negotiators would use intuition to their advantage. However, there is almost no systematic research into the meaning of intuition for negotiation. In this conceptual paper, drawing on five interviews of experienced negotiators, we apply general research on intuition to the specific case of negotiation and find that negotiators use intuition specifically for attribution and social interaction. We distinguish different intuition attitudes; identify preparation, time, and negotiation stages as relevant drivers for the use of intuition in negotiation; clarify the distinction between intuition and routine; and shine new light on the concept of domain‐specific knowledge.
Effect of remote patient management in peritoneal dialysis on haemodynamic and volume control
Authors: Yeter Hasan H. , Karacalik Ceren , Eraslan Esra , Akcay Omer F. , Derici Ulver , Ronco Claudio
Published: July 2020

Aim

Reduced treatment compliance in patients with peritoneal dialysis facilitates the development of fluid overload and as a result increased blood pressure and vascular stiffness in the long term. We aimed to evaluate blood pressure change and anti‐hypertensive needs of patients within 1 year after the changeover to remote monitoring automated peritoneal dialysis (RM‐APD) and compare the effect of RM‐APD and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) on peripheral and central haemodynamic parameters, volume status of patients and anti‐hypertensive drug needs.

Methods

This was an observational and cross‐sectional study. We enrolled 15 patients performing CAPD, 20 patients performing RM‐APD, and 38 age, and gender‐matched healthy control. We measured pulse wave velocity to assess arterial stiffness, peripheral and central haemodynamic parameters. We measured the volume status of participants via bioimpedance spectroscopy.

Results

The mean excess hydration of patients who underwent CAPD were higher than those who performed RM‐APD and healthy control (P = .02). We found that mean diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, central systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and central pulse pressure were significantly different between the RM‐APD, CAPD and healthy control (P = .02, P = .05, P = .007, P = .05 and P = .005, respectively). Post hoc analysis of these results showed that the differences between the groups were caused by the healthy control group and the patients with underwent CAPD. Daily anti‐hypertensive drug count in patients with performing RM‐APD was reduced over time (P < .001).

Conclusion

The RM‐APD provides better control of peripheral blood pressure and decrease of central haemodynamic parameters via controlling the excess body water.
Going to war on COVID‐19: Mobilizing an academic nephrology group practice
Authors: Lee Martin B.‐H. , Chua Horng R. , Wong Weng K. , Chan Gek C. , Leo Christopher C. H. , Vathsala A. , Teo Boon W.
Published: July 2020

Aim

The COVID‐19 pandemic poses unprecedented operational challenges to nephrology divisions in every country as they cope with COVID‐19‐related kidney disease in addition to regular patient care. Although general approaches have been proposed, there is a lack of practical guidance for nephrology division response in a hospital facing a surge of cases. Here, we describe the specific measures that our division has taken in the hope that our experience in Singapore may be helpful to others.

Methods

Descriptive narrative.

Results

A compilation of operational responses to the COVID‐19 pandemic taken by a nephrology division at a Singapore university hospital.

Conclusion

Nephrology operational readiness for COVID‐19 requires a clinical mindset shift from usual standard of care to a crisis exigency model that targets best outcomes for available resources. Rapid multi‐disciplinary efforts that evolve flexibly with the local dynamics of the outbreak are required.