bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Business activity and business confidence: a new volatility transmission relationship
Authors: Tsagkanos Athanasios , Koumanakos Dimitrios , Pavlakis Michalis
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the transmission of volatility between business confidence index and stock market indices in Greece. The country remains the riskiest project in European Union (EU) and previous studies fail to reach an accurate conclusion regarding the direction of this transmission.

Design/methodology/approach

The study covers the period from January 2013 to August 2022 in monthly basis where important economic events occur. Considering that these economic events derive strong volatility moments, the authors adopt a new methodology that measures the transmission of volatility with higher precision. This is the generalized spillover analysis by Diebold and Yilmaz (2009, 2012).

Findings

The results indicate that Business Confidence Index (BCI) is the main receiver of volatility spillovers in Greece under all aspects of the used methodology. The specificity of the results shows that business activity through a green growth model is what drives investor confidence and then their activities.

Originality/value

Although a handful of studies have considered the transmission of volatility between BCI and stock market indices, this study contributes in several ways. This study focuses on one country (Greece), avoiding the dispersion of the results from the examination of the relationship in several countries. The used country remains the riskiest project in EU even nowadays, while other studies fail to confirm the main direction of volatility spillovers from business confidence to stock returns. This study covers a period that is ignored by previous studies and includes important economic events. In addition, considering that these economic events derive strong volatility moments, a new methodology is adopted in this field of research that measures the transmission of volatility with higher accuracy.
Housing price convergence: new evidence from Indian cities
Authors: Akram Vaseem , Mukherjee Rohan
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to examine the convergence hypothesis of House Price Index (HPI) in the case of 18 major Indian cities for the period 2014–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

To attain the authors main goal, this study applies a clustering algorithm advanced by Phillips and Sul. This test creates a club of convergence based on the growth of the cities in terms of HPI.

Findings

The study findings show the existence of two convergence clubs and one non-convergent group. Club 1 includes the cities with high HPI growth, whereas club 2 comprises of cities with least HPI growth. Cities belonging to the non-convergent group are neither converging nor diverging.

Practical implications

This study findings will benefit home buyers, sellers, investors, regulators and policymakers interested in the dynamic interlinkages of house price (HP) among Indian cities.

Originality/value

The majority of the studies are conducted in the case of China at the province or city levels. Furthermore, in the case of India, none of the studies has investigated the HP club convergence across Indian cities. Therefore, the present study fills this research gap by examining the HP club convergence across Indian cities.
The role of environmental variation in mediating fitness trade‐offs for an amphibian polyphenism
Authors: Kirk Mark A. , Reider Kelsey E. , Lackey Alycia C. R. , Thomas Scott A. , Whiteman Howard H.
Published: June 2023

Fitness trade‐offs are a foundation of ecological and evolutionary theory because trade‐offs can explain life history variation, phenotypic plasticity, and the existence of polyphenisms.

Using a 32‐year mark‐recapture dataset on lifetime fitness for 1093 adult Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum) from a high elevation, polyphenic population, we evaluated the extent to which two life history morphs (aquatic paedomorphs vs. terrestrial metamorphs) exhibited fitness trade‐offs in breeding and body condition with respect to environmental variation (e.g. climate) and internal state‐based variables (e.g. age).

Both morphs displayed a similar response to higher probabilities of breeding during years of high spring precipitation (i.e. not indicative of a morph‐specific fitness trade‐off). There were likely no climate‐induced fitness trade‐offs on breeding state for the two life history morphs because precipitation and water availability are vital to amphibian reproduction.

Body condition displayed a contrasting response for the two morphs that was indicative of a climate‐induced fitness trade‐off. While metamorphs exhibited a positive relationship with summer snowpack conditions, paedomorphs were unaffected. Fitness trade‐offs from summer snowpack are likely due to extended hydroperiods in temporary ponds, where metamorphs gain a fitness advantage during the summer growing season by exploiting resources that are unavailable to paeodomorphs. However, paedomorphs appear to have the overwintering fitness advantage because they consistently had higher body condition than metamorphs at the start of the summer growing season.

Our results reveal that climate and habitat type (metamorphs as predominately terrestrial, paedomorphs as fully aquatic) interact to confer different advantages for each morph. These results advance our current understanding of fitness trade‐offs in this well‐studied polyphenic amphibian by integrating climate‐based mechanisms. Our conclusions prompt future studies to explore how climatic variation can maintain polyphenisms and promote life history diversity, as well as the implications of climate change for polyphenisms.
Ecological consequences of genotypic diversity within a foundation plant,Spartina alterniflora, are pervasive but not universal across multiple stress gradients
Authors: Zerebecki Robyn A. , Hughes A. Randall
Published: June 2023

Plant genotypic diversity can influence population‐ and community‐level processes, yet we have limited understanding of how these effects vary across environmental gradients that are ubiquitous in nature.

We conducted a 2‐year field experiment manipulating plant (Spartina alterniflora) genotypic diversity across a natural stress gradient in tidal elevation, both with and without the addition of nutrients.

Spartinadiversity increased stem production, but the magnitude of this effect was reduced at both the most stressful and most benign endpoints of the combined elevation and nutrient gradient, consistent with recent species diversity studies. Complementarity among individuals likely underpins the observed benefit ofSpartinadiversity.

Spartinadiversity also affected the associated marsh community, with higher consumer (Littoraria irrorata) abundance in more diverse plots, owing to both greaterSpartinadensity and increased variation inSpartinatraits.

Synthesis. The positive effects ofSpartinadiversity on population‐ and community‐level responses under most environmental conditions highlights the ecological importance of plant genotypic diversity for the maintenance of function across the marsh landscape.
The toxicological spectrum of the Bacillus cereus toxin cereulide points towards niche‐specific specialisation
Authors: Jenull Sabrina , Bauer Tobias , Silbermayr Katja , Dreer Maximilian , Stark Timo D. , Ehling‐Schulz Monika
Published: June 2023

Most microbes share their environmental niches with very different forms of life thereby engaging in specialised relationships to enable their persistence. The bacterium Bacillus cereus occurs ubiquitously in the environment with certain strain backgrounds causing foodborne and opportunistic infections in humans. The emetic lineage of B. cereus is capable of producing the toxin cereulide, which evokes emetic illnesses. Although food products favouring the accumulation of cereulide are known, the ecological role of cereulide and the environmental niche of emetic B. cereus remain elusive. To better understand the ecology of cereulide‐producing B. cereus, we systematically assayed the toxicological spectrum of cereulide on a variety of organisms belonging to different kingdoms. As cereulide is a potassium ionophore, we further tested the effect of environmental potassium levels on the action of cereulide. We found that adverse effects of cereulide exposure are species‐specific, which can be exacerbated with increased environmental potassium. Additionally, we demonstrate that cereulide is produced within an insect cadaver indicating its potential ecological function for a saprophytic lifestyle. Collectively, distinct cereulide susceptibilities of other organisms may reflect its role in enabling competitive niche specialization of emetic B. cereus.
The legislative cost of ruling: Voter punishment of governing parties fuels legislator party dissent
Authors: BØGGILD TROELS , PEDERSEN HELENE HELBOE
Published: June 2023

Political parties in office generally incur a cost of ruling among the electorate. This article considers the broader implications of this phenomenon for democratic governance. We argue that the electoral cost a party incurs in office entails that its individual legislators become more inclined to vote against the party line as a way to distance themselves from the deteriorating party brand. We test and support several observable implications of this argument using time series data including all members of parliament in the British parliament between 1992 and 2015 coupled with monthly opinion poll data. The well‐established electoral cost of ruling thus translates into a legislative cost of ruling by reducing incumbent party legislators’ loyalty to the party line. We discuss how the legislative cost of ruling complicates effective governance but may also strengthen democratic accountability by reducing legislative capacity of governing parties that have lost their electoral mandate.
Persistence of cellular material after exposure to water
Authors: Nolan Madison , Handt Oliva , Linacre Adrian
Published: June 2023

Disposing of items of forensic relevance in bodies of water is one countermeasure offenders can use to avoid detection. The impact of immersion in water has been explored for blood, saliva, and semen; however, few studies have assessed touch DNA. Here we report on the effect of exposure to water on the persistence of touch DNA over prolonged periods of time. To evaluate the persistence of cells from touch DNA, after water exposure, three substrates and two water types were tested: plastic, metal, and ceramic, submerged into seawater or tap water. Diamond™ Nucleic Acid Dye was used to stain cells deposited by touch. Cell counts before and after water exposure were compared to investigate cell loss over time, ranging from 6 hours to 5 days. A logarithmic increase in the percent of cells lost was observed over time when the data for substrate and water type conditions were combined. Substrate type influenced the persistence of cells, with the metal substrate retaining cells longer than plastic or ceramic. The influence of water type appeared dependent on the substrate, with varied cell persistence on metal whereas plastic and ceramic recorded similar cell loss over time between water types. The ability to visualize cells after exposure to water could assist in triaging evidence within operational forensic laboratories and allow for targeted sampling. This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrated that greater than 50% of cells can persist on various items submerged in aqueous environments for at least 5 days, highlighting the possibility for downstream DNA testing.
An efficient and safe strategy for germ cell‐specific automatic excision of foreign DNA in F1 hybrid transgenic silkworms
Authors: Long Dingpei , Liu Rongpeng , Huang Yang , Fu Anyao , Zhang Yuli , Hao Zhanzhang , Li Qiang , Xu Hanfu , Xiang Zhonghuai , Zhao Aichun
Published: June 2023

The safety of transgenic technology is a major obstacle in the popularization and use of transgenic silkworms and their products. In sericulture, only the first filial generation (F1) hybrid eggs produced by cross‐breeding Japanese and Chinese original strains are usually used for the large‐scale breeding of silkworms, but this may result in uncontrolled transgene dispersal during the popularization and application of the F1 hybrid transgenic eggs. To address this issue, we developed a safe and efficient strategy using the GAL4/Upstream activating sequence (UAS) system, the FLP/flippase recognition target (FRT) system, and the gonad‐specific expression gene promoters (RSHP1p and Nanosp) for the germ cell‐specific automatic excision of foreign DNA in the F1 hybrid transgenic silkworms. We established 2 types of activator strains, R1p::GAL4‐Gr and Nsp::GAL4‐Gr, containing the testis‐specific GAL4 gene expression cassettes driven by RSHP1p or Nanosp, respectively, and 1 type of effector strain, UAS::FLP‐Rg, containing the UAS‐linked FLP gene expression cassette. The FLP recombinase‐mediated sperm‐specific complete excision of FRT‐flanked target DNA in the F1 double‐transgenic silkworms resulting from the hybridization of R1p::GAL4‐Gr and UAS::FLP‐Rg was 100%, whereas the complete excision efficiency resulting from the hybridization of Nsp::GAL4‐Gr and UAS::FLP‐Rg ranged from 13.73% to 80.3%. Additionally, we identified a gene, sw11114, that is expressed in both testis and ovary of Bombyx mori, and can be used to establish novel gonad‐specific expression systems in transgenic silkworms. This strategy has the potential to fundamentally solve the safety issue in the production of F1 transgenic silkworm eggs and provides an important reference for the safety of transgenic technology in other insect species.
Engineering Scheffersomyces segobiensis for palmitoleic acid‐rich lipid production
Authors: Qian Xiujuan , Lei Huirui , Zhou Xinhai , Zhang Lili , Cui Wenxing , Zhou Jie , Xin Fengxue , Dong Weiliang , Jiang Min , Ochsenreither Katrin
Published: June 2023

Palmitoleic acid (POA; C16:1) is an essential high‐value ω‐7‐conjugated fatty acid with beneficial bioactivities and potential applications in the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Previously, the oleaginous yeast Scheffersomyces segobiensis DSM27193 has been identified as a promising production host as an alternative for POA extraction from plant or animal sources. Here, the POA‐producing capacity of this host was further expanded by optimizing the fermentation process and molecular strain engineering. Specifically, a dual fermentation strategy (O‐S dynamic regulation strategy) focused on the substrate and dissolved oxygen concentration was designed to eliminate ethanol and pyruvate accumulation during fermentation. Key genes influencing POA production, such as jen, dgat, ole were identified on the transcriptional level and were subsequently over‐expressed. Furthermore, the phosphoketolase (Xpk)/phosphotransacetylase (Pta) pathway was introduced to improve the yield of the precursor acetyl‐CoA from glucose. The resulting cell factory SS‐12 produced 7.3 g/L of POA, corresponding to an 11‐fold increase compared to the wild type, presenting the highest POA titre reported using oleaginous yeast to date. An economic evaluation based on the raw materials, utilities and facility‐dependent costs showed that microbial POA production using S. segobiensis can supersede the current extraction method from plant oil and marine fish. This study reports the construction of a promising cell factory and an effective microbial fermentation strategy for commercial POA production.
Australia: Political Developments and Data in 2022
Authors: TAFLAGA MARIJA
Published: June 2023

This entry chronicles a national change of government. It includes election results for Australia's national elections and two subnational elections. It supplies data on the new Cabinet, notes changes in parliamentary composition (sex and party) and party leadership changes. It notes changes to Australia's head of state and significant changes to Australia's institutional culture (viz., the ongoing implementation of measures to make Parliament a safer and more family‐friendly workplace and the establishment of a new anti‐corruption commission). The entry discusses the decline of the Coalition and the changing balance of power within the Australian Parliament. Policy issues discussed include Labor's pledge to hold a referendum on an Indigenous Voice, the inflation and energy crises, COVID‐19, changes to workplace safety laws and Australia's relationship with the Pacific and China.
Effect of external dead space removal on CO2 homeostasis in mechanically ventilated adult Covid‐19 patients
Authors: Öhman Tomas , Jalde Francesca Campoccia , Fredby Magnus , Björne Håkan , Karlsson Jacob
Published: June 2023

Background

Patients with Covid‐19 respiratory failure present with hypoxemia, often in combination with hypercapnia. In this prospective, observational study we examined the effect of removing external dead space (DS) on CO2‐homeostasis in mechanically ventilated Covid‐19 patients. In addition, volumetric capnography was validated for its ability to estimate external DS volume using in vitro measured DS volumes as reference.

Methods

In total, 10 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome from Covid‐19 were included. Volumetric capnography, mechanical ventilation, and arterial blood gas data were analyzed before and after removal of external DS and analyzed for potentially significant changes in response to DS removal. Measurements of external DS were obtained in circuit using volumetric capnography and compared to actual measured DS volumes off the circuit.

Results

After the removal of external DS, the alveolar minute ventilation and CO2 elimination improved, notwithstanding unchanged respiratory rate and tidal volumes. The increase in CO2 elimination was associated with a decrease in arterial CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2). The volumetric capnography method for assessment of external DS showed a low bias of −9 mL (lower limit of agreement −40, 95% CI −60 to −20 mL, upper limit of agreement 21 mL, 95% CI: 1–40 mL) and a percentage error of 48% compared to absolute values measured in vitro.

Conclusion

Removal of external DS increased alveolar minute ventilation and CO2 elimination in Covid‐19 patients with respiratory failure in the current study. This was associated with a decrease in PaCO2. This may indicate a decreased CO2 production due to decreased work of breathing and more effective gas‐exchange in response to DS removal. In addition, volumetric capnography appears to be a clinically feasible method for continuous measurement of external DS in the current study and may be of value in optimizing ventilator treatment.
Validation of the NELA risk prediction model in emergency abdominal surgery
Authors: Hansted Anna K. , Storm Nicolas , Burcharth Jakob , Diasso Pernille D. K. , Ninh Mian , Møller Morten H. , Vester‐Andersen Morten
Published: June 2023

Risk prediction models are frequently used to identify high‐risk patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) developed a risk prediction model specifically for emergency laparotomy patients, which was recently updated. In this study, we validated the updated NELA model in an external population. Furthermore, we compared it with three other risk prediction models: the original NELA model, the Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (P‐POSSUM) model, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA‐PS). We included adult patients undergoing emergency laparotomy at Zealand University Hospital, from March 2017 to January 2019, and Herlev Hospital, from November 2017 to January 2020. Variables included in the risk prediction models were collected retrospectively from the electronic patient records. Discrimination of the risk prediction models was evaluated with area under the curve (AUC) statistics, and calibration was assessed with Cox calibration regression. The primary outcome was 30‐day mortality. Out of 1226 included patients, 146 patients (11.9%) died within 30 days. AUC (95% confidence interval) for 30‐day mortality was 0.85 (0.82–0.88) for the updated NELA model, 0.84 (0.81–0.87) for the original NELA model, 0.81 (0.77–0.84) for the P‐POSSUM model, and 0.76 (0.72–0.79) for the ASA‐PS model. Calibration showed underestimation of mortality risk for both the updated NELA, original NELA and P‐POSSUM models. The updated NELA risk prediction model performs well in this external validation study and may be used in similar settings. However, the model should only be used to discriminate between low‐ and high‐risk patients, and not for prediction of individual risk due to underestimation of mortality.
Characterization of pediatric beta‐adrenergic antagonist ingestions reported to the National Poison Data System from 2000 to 2020
Authors: Watson C. James , Monuteaux Michael C. , Burns Michele M.
Published: June 2023

Background

When ingested by children, small quantities of beta‐adrenergic antagonists (BAA) are described as dangerous and even potentially lethal (“one pill can kill”). We characterize demographics, clinical characteristics, and the rate of serious outcomes among pediatric patients with reported BAA ingestions.

Methods

This study was a retrospective review of U.S. patients <20 years old with reported single‐agent BAA ingestions presenting to a health care facility between January 2000 and February 2020 for whom a poison control center was consulted. Data were abstracted from the National Poison Data System (NPDS). Medical outcomes were assessed by the NPDS scale of no effect, minor effect, moderate effect, major effect, and death. All relevant NPDS fatality narratives were reviewed.

Results

A total of 35,436 reported exposures were identified. A total of 29,155 (82.3%) were <6 years old, of which 29,089 (99.8%) were unintentional. Twenty‐five patients (<0.1%) <6 years old had major effects. A total of 2316 (8.8%) of patients with no/mild effects were admitted to a critical care unit. Of all cases, 1460 (4.1%) had hypotension and 1403 (4.0%) had bradycardia. One hundred nineteen (0.3%) developed hypoglycemia. The only four fatalities resulted from intentional ingestions in patients >10 years old who sustained cardiac arrest in the prehospital setting.

Conclusions

Reported BAA ingestions in this multiyear national pediatric cohort caused infrequent toxicity, and no fatalities resulted from an unintentional ingestion. The frequency of bradycardia, hypotension, and hypoglycemia were low. While severely poisoned patients require aggressive treatment, 8.8% of patients were admitted to a critical care unit despite having no or mild effects, which suggests an opportunity to reduce resource utilization.
Exploring nurse practitioner practice in Australian rural primary health care settings: A scoping review
Authors: Rossiter Rachel , Phillips Rosemary , Blanchard Denise , van Wissen Kim , Robinson Tracy
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Australians in rural areas experience limited access to services and poorer health outcomes than residents of metropolitan areas. Nurse practitioners (NPs) were introduced in 2000 to reduce pressure on the health system, address workforce shortages and improve rural populations' access to health care services.

Objective

This scoping review sought to identify, examine and synthesise research evidence of NP practice in Australian rural primary health care services to better understand how NPs are addressing service gaps in rural areas and to identify existing gaps in our knowledge.

Design

Peer‐reviewed and grey literature from July 2012 to June 2022 was accessed from seven electronic databases, grey literature and hand searching of reference lists and citations.

Findings

From 154 articles, 19 articles of relevance were identified. Several projects describe the processes required for success, whilst others reported the challenges and barriers encountered. Limited research evidence of rural NP practice exists with a significant gap about how roles operate and their value in primary health care.

Discussion

Uptake and envisaged benefits of rural primary health care NP roles have yet to be realised, with barriers to implementing and sustaining NP roles persisting. Low‐level awareness with ambiguity at health service and community level adversely impact on systematic implementation of NP roles.

Conclusions

Robust evaluations demonstrating the value of NP skills and practice are needed in combination with bipartisan support from all levels of health care and government providing adequate funding to enable effective implementation of NP roles in poorly resourced rural areas.
Sperm DNA methylation dynamics after chemotherapy: a longitudinal study of a patient with testicular germ cell tumor treatment
Authors: Neyroud Anne‐Sophie , Rolland Antoine Dominique , Lecuyer Gwendoline , Evrard Bertrand , Alary Nathan , Dejucq‐Rainsford Nathalie , Bujan Louis , Ravel Célia , Chalmel Frédéric
Published: June 2023

Background

An important issue for young men affected by testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is how TGCT and its treatment will affect, transiently or permanently, their future reproductive health. Previous studies have reported that xenobiotics can induce changes on human sperm epigenome and have the potential to promote epigenetic alterations in the offspring.

Objectives

Here, we report the first longitudinal DNA methylation profiling of frozen sperm from a TGCT patient before and up to 2 years after a bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) chemotherapy.

Materials and methods

A TGCT was diagnosed in a 30‐year‐old patient. A cryopreservation of spermatozoa was proposed before adjuvant BEP treatment. Semen samples were collected before and after chemotherapy at 6, 9, 12, and 24 months. The DNA methylation status was determined by RRBS to detect DNA differentially methylated regions (DMRs).

Results

The analysis revealed that among the 74 DMRs showing modified methylation status 6 months after therapy, 17 remained altered 24 months after treatment. We next associated DMRs with differentially methylated genes (DMGs), which were subsequently intersected with loci known to be important or expressed during early development.

Discussion and conclusion

The consequences of the cancer treatment on the sperm epigenome during the recovery periods are topical issues of increasing significance as epigenetic modifications to the paternal genome may have deleterious effects on the offspring. The altered methylated status of these DMGs important for early development might modify their expression pattern and thus affect their function during key stages of embryogenesis, potentially leading to developmental disorders or miscarriages.
Emergency surgical intervention in acute corrosive ingestion: single‐center experience from India
Authors: Gupta Vikas , Shah Jimil , Yadav Thakur Deen , Kumar Pradeep , Wig Jai Dev , Kochhar Rakesh
Published: June 2023

Background

Surgical intervention for acute corrosive injury is often required. It is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Sparce data is available on the types and timing of surgery after acute corrosive ingestion and complications associated with the same.

Methods

This is a retrospective single‐center study from a tertiary care center in India. All patients who underwent surgical exploration after acute corrosive intake between January 2003 and June 2014 were enrolled in the study. Data on patients' presentation, their endoscopic findings, indications of surgery, type of surgery and post‐operative follow‐up was retrieved.

Results

Out of 170 patients who presented with acute corrosive ingestion, 24 patients (14.11%) required emergency surgery. The mean interval between ingestion and surgery was 9.92 ± 9.03 days. Presence of peritonitis was the most common indication for surgery (n = 10; 41.7%) followed by mediastinitis (n = 7; 29.2%). A total of 17 resectional and 7 non‐resectional procedures were performed. Thirteen (54%) patients succumbed to their illness post‐operatively due to multi‐organ failure (n = 9), refractory shock (n = 3) or pulmonary thromboembolism (n = 1). Patients with early surgery (≤7 days) after corrosive ingestion had similar mortality compared to patients with late surgery (>7 days) (50% versus 67%; P = 0.30). Of the 11 surviving patients, eight patients (72%) underwent successful reconstructive surgery on follow‐up.

Conclusions

Emergency surgery after corrosive ingestion carries high morbidity and mortality. However, after the initial stormy acute phase, majority of patients can undergo successful reconstructive surgery on follow‐up.
Sonographic postpartum anal sphincter defects and the association with pelvic floor pain and dyspareunia
Authors: Huber Malin , Larsson Charlotta , Lehmann Jan‐P , Strigård Karin , Lindam Anna , Tunón Katarina
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Pelvic floor pain and dyspareunia are both important entities of postpartum pelvic pain, often concomitant and associated with perineal tears during vaginal delivery. The association between postpartum sonographic anal sphincter defects, pelvic floor pain, and dyspareunia has not been fully established. We aimed to determine the prevalence of postpartum anal sphincter defects using three‐dimensional endoanal ultrasonography (3D‐EAUS) and evaluate their association with symptoms of pelvic floor pain and dyspareunia.

Material and methods

This prospective cohort study followed 239 primiparas from birth to 12 months post delivery. Anal sphincters were assessed with 3D‐EAUS 3 months postpartum, and self‐reported pelvic floor function data were obtained using a web‐based questionnaire distributed 1 year after delivery. Descriptive statistics were compared between the patients with and without sonographic defects, and the association between sonographic sphincter defects and outcomes were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results

At 3 months postpartum, 48/239 (20%) patients had anal sphincter defects on 3D‐EAUS, of which 43 (18%) were not clinically diagnosed with obstetric anal sphincter injury at the time of delivery. Patients with sonographic defects had higher fetal weight than those without defects, and a perineum <2 cm before the suture was a risk factor for defects (odds ratio [OR], 6.9). Patients with sonographic defects had a higher frequency of dyspareunia (OR, 2.4), and pelvic floor pain (OR, 2.3) than those without defects.

Conclusions

Our results suggest an association between postpartum sonographic anal sphincter defects, pelvic floor pain, and dyspareunia. A perineal height <2 cm, measured by bidigital palpation immediately postdelivery, was a risk factor for sonographic anal sphincter defect. We suggest offering pelvic floor sonography around 3 months postpartum to high‐ risk women to optimize diagnosis and treatment of perineal tears and include perineum <2 cm prior to primary repair as a proposed indication for postpartum follow‐up sonography.
Depressive symptoms in mothers of preterm infants before and during COVID‐19 restrictions in neonatal intensive care units
Authors: Itoshima Ryo , Tuura Kirsi , Toome Liis , Varendi Heili , Saik Pille , Axelin Anna , Lehtonen Liisa , Ahlqvist‐Björkroth Sari
Published: June 2023

Aim

Little is known about the specific restriction measures used in intensive care units (NICUs) during the COVID‐19 pandemic and their impact on parental well‐being. Hence, this study aimed to assess the association between restriction measures and mothers' post‐partum depressive symptoms.

Methods

This comparative cohort study included mothers who gave birth before 35 weeks of gestation in Estonia. The outcome measure was mothers' post‐partum depressive symptoms at the time of infant discharge, evaluated using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). In addition to the pandemic itself, the number of restriction measures in the NICUs was analysed as a potential explanatory factor for depressive symptoms.

Results

The study included 55 mothers before the pandemic in 2018–2019 and 54 mothers during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2021. No significant difference was found in the median EPDS scores between the cohorts: 7.0 [interquartile range (IQR): 4.0–12.0] and 8.0 (IQR: 5.0–12.8) respectively. The number of restriction measures was not associated with mothers' EPDS scores in either unadjusted or adjusted models.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 pandemic or the number of restriction measures used in Estonian NICUs did not associate with mothers' post = partum depressive symptoms.
Editorial: Functional dyspepsia in pregnancy—Distinct approaches to a special population
Authors: Geisman Taylor , Sayuk Gregory S.
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Liu et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17534 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17605
Editorial: Alcohol‐related liver disease is the primary driver of cirrhosis‐related hospital admissions in the COVID‐19 era—What can be done?
Authors: Frolkis Alexandra D. , Congly Stephen E.
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kim et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17547
Editorial: Predicting paediatric ulcerative colitis outcomes—how can we improve?
Authors: Hudson Alexandra S. , Huynh Hien Q.
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Atia et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17544
Editorial: Antibiotics and risk of IBD—Can we close the books? Authors' reply
Authors: Oh Shin Ju , Kim Hyo Jong , Lee Chang Kyun
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Oh et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17542 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17563
Letter: Experience of switching vedolizumab treatment from intravenous to subcutaneous formulation in Hungary
Authors: Bacsur Péter , Iliás Ákos , Resál Tamás , Kata Diána , Molnár Tamás , Farkas Klaudia
Published: June 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Volkers et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17153
Quantitative characterization of archaeological bronzes based on thermal and compositional analysis
Authors: Mercuri Fulvio , Zammit Ugo , Orazi Noemi , Caruso Giovanni , Paoloni Stefano
Published: June 2023

Pulsed thermography has been applied to the quantitative characterization of the insertions of two ancient bronzes, the Boxer at Rest and the Hellenistic Prince. The analysis of the thermographic signal time dependence performed by a specifically developed model enabled the evaluation of the insertions’ thickness and of elements which could provide indications about the procedure followed for their insertion. This could be achieved by exploiting a semi‐empirical relation establishing the thermal diffusivity dependence on the total effective weighted concentration of Sn and Pb atoms obtained from the analysis of the values determined on samples containing different concentrations of Sn and Pb.
A highly sensitive PCR method for A1 allele detection in A2 milk samples without DNA isolation
Authors: Watanabe Ayumi , Munakata Kyo , Muto Miyabi , Kuramoto Takashi
Published: June 2023

We previously developed a genotyping method to detect the A1 and A2 alleles of the bovine β‐casein gene. This method required DNA extraction from hair samples. Recently, demand for A2 milk (milk from cows homozygous for the A2 allele) has increased, and dairy farms are required to have certification to produce A2 milk. Here, we describe the development of a new, simple, and sensitive genotyping method for the β‐casein gene that does not require DNA extraction. This method uses the CycleavePCR technique and can amplify the β‐casein gene directly from raw milk samples. Genotypes obtained from the milk samples (n = 27) were completely coincident with those obtained from genomic DNA. In addition, this method could quantify the A1 allele in the milk samples. The limit of detection for the A1 allele in A2 milk was 2%. The copy numbers of the A1 allele corresponding to the 2% detection limit were estimated to be 30.5 ± 24.3 molecules/μL. These findings indicate that this new genotyping method is simple and fast for detecting the A1 allele in milk samples and can therefore be potentially used to certify A2 milk.
Effects of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir on midazolam and dabigatran pharmacokinetics in healthy participants
Authors: Cox Donna S. , Rehman Muhammad , Khan Tahira , Ginman Katherine , Salageanu Joanne , LaBadie Robert R. , Wan Katty , Damle Bharat
Published: June 2023

Aims

To evaluate pharmacokinetics (PK) and safety after coadministration of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or ritonavir alone with midazolam (a cytochrome P450 3A4 substrate) and dabigatran (a P‐glycoprotein substrate).

Methods

PK was studied in 2 phase 1, open‐label, fixed‐sequence studies in healthy adults. Single oral doses of midazolam 2 mg (n = 12) or dabigatran 75 mg (n = 24) were administered alone and after steady state (i.e. ≥2 days) of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 300 mg/100 mg and ritonavir 100 mg. Midazolam and dabigatran plasma concentrations and adverse events were analysed for each treatment.

Results

After administration of midazolam with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (test) or alone (reference), midazolam geometric mean area under the concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) increased 14.3‐fold and 3.7‐fold, respectively. Midazolam coadministered with ritonavir (test) or alone (reference) resulted in 16.5‐fold and 3.9‐fold increases in midazolam geometric mean AUCinf and Cmax, respectively. After administration of dabigatran with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (test) or alone (reference), dabigatran geometric mean AUCinf and Cmax increased 1.9‐fold and 2.3‐fold, respectively. Dabigatran coadministered with ritonavir (test) or alone (reference) resulted in a 1.7‐fold increase in dabigatran geometric mean AUCinf and Cmax. Midazolam or dabigatran exposures were generally comparable when coadministered with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or ritonavir alone, with a slightly higher dabigatran Cmax with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir vs. ritonavir alone. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir was generally safe when administered with or without midazolam or dabigatran. No serious or severe adverse events were reported.

Conclusion

Coadministration of midazolam or dabigatran with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir increased systemic exposure of midazolam or dabigatran. Midazolam exposures were comparable when coadministered with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir or ritonavir alone, suggesting no incremental effect of nirmatrelvir. Dabigatran Cmax was slightly higher when coadministered with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir compared with of ritonavir alone, suggesting a minor incremental effect of nirmatrelvir.
Inappropriate polypharmacy management versus deprescribing: A review on their relationship
Authors: Zidan Amani , Awaisu Ahmed
Published: June 2023

Medication burden and polypharmacy are highly prevalent among patients with multimorbidity. There have been multiple initiatives to overcome polypharmacy and medication burden in patients with multimorbidity. These initiatives have evolved over time as effective in reducing the negative health consequences of polypharmacy. In recent years, the concept and practice of deprescribing has emerged and gained popularity as an efficient comprehensive approach to manage polypharmacy and ultimately improve health outcomes. Clinicians and researchers with interest in deprescribing view it as a novel and unique strategy that should be a part of effective prescribing process. However, other traditional polypharmacy management strategies such as drug review and medication therapy management still coexist. It is intriguing if deprescribing is considered as a type of these strategies or not. This narrative mini‐review explored published literature in an effort to ascertain the differences and similarities between deprescribing and other prominent polypharmacy management interventions. It is clear that there is an overlap between deprescribing and inappropriate polypharmacy management. This is represented by focusing on multimorbid older adults, using similar explicit and implicit tools and having drug review as the core principle of both approaches. This overlap has probably made deprescribing considered as one of polypharmacy management approaches.
Does first‐hand evidence undermine young children's initial trust in positive gossip? Evidence from 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children
Authors: Tang Yulong , Zhang Zhinuo , Harris Paul L.
Published: June 2023

What happens when children have formed an impression of a peer based on prior gossip, but later learn from direct observation that the gossip is untrue? We interviewed seventy 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children in Zhejiang, China. They first heard conflicting positive and negative gossip about an absent third party, and subsequently learned which piece of gossip was true. Initially, both 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children tended to endorse the positive rather than the negative gossip. However, when they learned about the inaccuracy of the positive gossip based on their own direct observation, 6‐year‐old children subsequently doubted it, whereas 5‐year‐old children showed no such shift. Taken together, the results show that when children decide what gossip to believe, they are initially swayed by its valence but with age they increasingly weigh gossip in relation to their own direct observation.
Understanding computational thinking in the gameplay of the AfricanSongoboard game
Authors: Bayeck Rebecca Y.
Published: June 2023

Computational thinking is a necessary skill for the 21st century. While previously examined in computer‐rich settings, researchers are increasingly studying computational thinking in unplugged environments such as board games. Focusing on the African board gameSongo, this study shows that computational thinking practices are embedded inSongoboard gameplay and interact with the cultural context. The study also reveals a computing practice peculiar toSongogameplay, songoputation. This paper suggests that researchers can benefit from exploring computational thinking and computing practices beyond board games in western contexts.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Computational thinking can be cultivated in non‐digital environments.

Board games are spaces where computational thinking can be developed.

The relationship between African board games and computational thinking is still unknown.

What this paper adds

African board games such as Songo are spaces where players engage with computational thinking and songoputation

Culture informs computational thinking practices players engaging in when playing Songo.

Computational thinking is not a new practice and should be explored in different culture contexts and settings.

Implications for practice and/or policy

African board games should be used to develop computational thinking skills.

Board games should be used to foster computational thinking skills among students in context with limited access to digital technology.
The distribution and accumulation of the shortest telomeres in telomere biology disorders
Authors: Raj Hannah A. , Lai Tsung‐Po , Niewisch Marena R. , Giri Neelam , Wang Youjin , Spellman Stephen R. , Aviv Abraham , Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Savage Sharon A.
Published: June 2023

Individuals with telomere biology disorders (TBDs) have very short telomeres, high risk of bone marrow failure (BMF), and reduced survival. Using data from TBD patients, a mean leukocyte Southern blot telomere length (TL) of 5 kilobases (kb) was estimated as the ‘telomere brink’ at which human survival is markedly reduced. However, the shortest telomere, not the mean TL, signals replicative senescence. We used the Telomere Shortest Length Assay (TeSLA) to tally TL of all 46 chromosomes in blood‐derived DNA and examined its relationship with TBDs. Patients (n = 18) had much shorter mean TL (TeSmTL) (2.54 ± 0.41 kb vs. 4.48 ± 0.52 kb, p < 0.0001) and more telomeres <3 kb than controls (n = 22) (70.43 ± 8.76% vs. 33.05 ± 6.93%, p < 0.0001). The proportion of ultrashort telomeres (<1.6 kb) was also higher in patients than controls (39.29 ± 10.69% vs. 10.40 ± 4.09%, p < 0.0001). TeS <1.6 kb was associated with severe (n = 11) compared with non‐severe (n = 7) BMF (p = 0.027). Patients with multi‐organ manifestations (n = 10) had more telomeres <1.6 kb than those with one affected organ system (n = 8) (p = 0.029). Findings suggest that TBD clinical manifestations are associated with a disproportionately higher number of haematopoietic cell telomeres reaching a telomere brink, whose length at the single telomere level is yet to be determined.
Longitudinal relations among perceived parental warmth, self‐esteem and social behaviours from middle childhood to early adolescence in China: Disentangling between‐ and within‐person associations
Authors: Wang Xianqi , Huebner E. Scott , Tian Lili
Published: June 2023

Although several studies have addressed the relations between perceived parental warmth and social behaviours, few have distinguished their between‐ and within‐person effects or explored their within‐person mediating mechanisms. This study examined the transactional relations among perceived parental warmth (i.e. maternal warmth and paternal warmth), children's self‐esteem and children's positive/negative social behaviours (i.e. prosocial behaviour and delinquent behaviour) along with the mediating role of self‐esteem after disentangling between‐ and within‐person effects. A total of 4315 Chinese elementary children (44.9% girls; Mage = 9.93 years, SD = 0.73) completed relevant measures on four occasions employing 6‐month intervals. Results of random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel models showed that (a) perceived parental warmth reciprocally and positively predicted prosocial behaviour and self‐esteem; (b) perceived paternal warmth reciprocally and negatively predicted delinquent behaviour; (c) self‐esteem reciprocally predicted prosocial and delinquent behaviour; (d) perceived maternal warmth reciprocally and positively predicted prosocial behaviour through self‐esteem; (e) perceived parental warmth reciprocally and negatively predicted delinquent behaviour through self‐esteem; and (f) perceived maternal and paternal warmth differed in their relations with prosocial and delinquent behaviours through self‐esteem. These findings illuminated the complicated longitudinal within‐person interactions among perceived parental warmth, self‐esteem, and social behaviours, the specific mediating mechanism of self‐esteem, and the differing results associated with perceived maternal and paternal warmth, all of which yield significant implications for assessments and early interventions aimed to promote positive social behaviour.
Effects of relative deprivation on change in displaced aggression and the underlying motivation mechanism: A three‐wave cross‐lagged analysis
Authors: Guo Yongfen , Li Rui , Xia Ling‐Xiang
Published: June 2023

Displaced aggression refers to pernicious acts against innocent people. To date, little is known about mechanisms underlying dynamic changes in displaced aggression. The present study constructed a cross‐lagged model to examine the dynamic effects of relative deprivation on displaced aggression and the mediation mechanisms underlying these effects. A total of 1130 undergraduate students participated in this three‐wave longitudinal study. The results showed that relative deprivation predicted changes in displaced aggression through concurrent changes in levels of hostile attribution bias and moral disengagement. Hostile attribution bias and moral disengagement could predict each other longitudinally. The relationships between relative deprivation and displaced aggression, and relative deprivation and hostile attribution bias were mutual. This multiple mediation model with two mutually predicting mediators was explained from the aggressive motivation perspective. The findings help inform aggression theories and have implications for the prevention of and interventions against displaced aggression.