bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An integrated theoretical framework to explain interpersonal moralistic conflict
Authors: Michalski Joseph H.
Published: July 2021

This paper offers an integrated theoretical framework to explain interpersonal, moralistic conflict that combines the logic of the “pure sociology” approach with a social psychological framework that highlights the importance of the human capacity for language, evaluation, and justification. While violations of normative expectations are the root causes of moralistic conflict, the paper argues that one can only determine the emergence of such conflict by assessing the nature of the behavior in question in relation to the social locations of the participants in combination with the justifications invoked. The central question that the theory addresses can be distilled as follows: What explains the emergence of interpersonal, moralistic conflict? The paper specifies three core assumptions, followed by a delineation of a series of propositions designed to explicate the conditions under which moralistic conflicts emerge. The theory identifies the combination of the social geometry of interpersonal encounters along with the mechanisms that typically are used to justify the grievances that individuals express toward one another.
Board change and firm risk: Do new directors mean unstable corporate policies?
Authors: Feng Huiqun , Xiao Jason Zezhong
Published: July 2021

Research Question/Issue

Given the contentious debate over whether the appointment of new directors reduces firm risk, this study explores the effect of board changes on firm risk.

Research Findings/Insights

Appointing new directors leads to firm risk. A regression kink design shows that boards with more than 30% of new directors experience a significant increase in firm risk for approximately two years. Moreover, the effect of new directors on firm risk is more pronounced for firms with weaker corporate governance mechanisms but is attenuated if the demographic gaps between the new and existing directors are relatively larger. Additionally, the effect is moderated when new directors have interlocking and academic experience. Further analysis reveals that the appointment of new directors is associated with less consistent corporate policies.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We extend the theory of dynamic board governance, providing a qualitative and quantitative description of the effect of board change via a regression kink design, which shows that board change is an important variable that upsets the balance of board governance, leads to higher volatility of corporate policies, and increases the risk of corporate operations.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

The findings suggest that corporate management should carefully assess the risk of board change. A large proportion of new director involvement can create challenges in communication, understanding, and cooperation, leading to inconsistent corporate strategies and policies, thus increasing operating volatility. Moreover, this study offers insights to policymakers rethinking board spills in their countries.
Reforming the World Trade Organization: Practitioner Perspectives from China, the EU, and the US
Authors: Hoekman Bernard , Wolfe Robert
Published: July 2021

China, the European Union, and the United States are the world's largest traders. They have a big stake in a multilateral system of rules to manage the inevitable frictions among interdependent economies organized on different principles. This paper discusses elements of the WTO reform agenda through the lens of positions taken by these three WTO members, identifying the extent of alignment on key subjects, including transparency, dispute settlement, and plurilateral negotiations. We draw on findings of a recent research project on WTO reform and use responses to an expert survey to assess the prospects for actions that all three trade powers might support. Our premise is that reforming WTO is a necessary condition for the organization to be a more salient forum for the three large economies to address trade tensions, and that agreement among these three trade powers, in turn, is necessary to resolve the problems of the WTO.
Metastatischer Morbus Crohn: eine unterschätzte Entität
Authors: Ickrath Franziska , Stoevesandt Johanna , Schulmeyer Lena , Glatzel Caroline , Goebeler Matthias , Kerstan Andreas
Published: July 2021

Der kutane metastatische Morbus Crohn (MMC) ist eine seltene, aber herausfordernde dermatologische Manifestation des Morbus Crohn (MC). Die Hautläsionen, die nicht in Kontinuität zum Gastrointestinaltrakt stehen, sind histologisch durch nicht verkäsende Granulome charakterisiert. Der MMC ist abzugrenzen von den weitaus häufigeren kutanen Manifestationen des MC, die perianal oder seltener peristomal mit direkter Ausdehnung vom Darm auf die angrenzende Haut auftreten. Die vielgestaltige klinische Morphologie zusammen mit dem Umstand, dass das Auftreten vor der Erstdiagnose eines MC liegen kann, birgt die Gefahr von Fehldiagnosen, verzögerter Behandlung und einer unterschätzten Prävalenz wegen mangelnder Erfassung. Aufgrund der geringen Fallzahlen und fehlender randomisierter kontrollierter Studien bleibt die Erkrankung eine therapeutische Herausforderung. Wir führten daher eine systematische Literaturrecherche durch und identifizierten 264 publizierte pädiatrische sowie erwachsene Fälle von MMC und berichten zusätzlich über drei eigene Fälle. Diese Übersichtsarbeit fasst klinische Merkmale, Konzepte zur vermuteten Ätiopathologie, histologische Befunde, Differenzialdiagnosen und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten für den MMC zusammen.
Okuläre Syphilis – eine Fallserie von vier Patienten
Authors: Jahnke Stephanie , Lange Cord Sunderkötter Danica , Wienrich Ricarda , Kreft Burkhard
Published: July 2021

Okuläre Manifestationen einer Syphilis mit Visus‐beeinträchtigenden Beschwerdebildern können sich bereits im Sekundärstadium der Erkrankung ereignen. Sie können auch die einzige Manifestation einer Syphilis sein und andere Erkrankungen des Auges imitieren. Daher sollte bei allen Patienten mit Uveitis, Optikusneuritis, Optikusatrophie, akut aufgetretener Augenmuskelparese beziehungsweise bei ungeklärtem Visusverlust eine Syphilisinfektion ausgeschlossen werden. Dies gilt auch, wenn die anamnestischen Angaben zunächst keine Verdachtsmomente liefern.

Die okuläre Manifestation der Erkrankung sollte wie eine Neurosyphilis behandelt werden. Eine verzögerte Diagnosestellung und inadäquate Therapie gehen vielfach mit irreversiblen Folgen für den betroffenen Patienten einher. Grundsätzlich ist bei Auftreten einer Syphilis immer das Vorliegen einer assoziierten HIV‐Infektion zu überprüfen.
Epidemiologie der Urtikaria bei Kindern in Deutschland
Authors: Staubach Petra , Mann Caroline , Peveling‐Oberhag Adriane , Lang Berenice M. , Augustin Matthias , Hagenström Kristina , Garbe Claudia , Petersen Jana
Published: July 2021

Hintergrund: Bisher fehlen robuste epidemiologische Kennzahlen sowie Daten zur Komorbidität bei Kindern mit Urtikaria. Sie bilden die Grundlage zur Gestaltung einer effizienten Gesundheitsversorgung.

Methodik: Retrospektive Studie zur Analyse von epidemiologischen Kennzahlen bei Kindern mit Urtikaria. Grundlage der Analyse sind Routinedaten einer deutschlandweit tätigen Krankenkasse (DAK‐Gesundheit). Versicherte unter 18 Jahren, die in den Jahren 2010–2015 mindestens eine ambulant oder stationär gestellte Urtikaria‐Diagnose gemäß der ICD‐10‐Klassifikation erhielten, wurden in die Analysen aufgenommen und mit Kindern ohne entsprechende Diagnose verglichen.

Ergebnisse: Von 2,3 Millionen Versicherten waren 313 581 (13,5 %) unter 18 Jahre (153 214 weiblich). Bei 1,7 % der 313 581 Patienten wurde Urtikaria diagnostiziert. Die administrative Prävalenz der Urtikaria nahm mit zunehmendem Alter von 3,0 % in der Altersgruppe der 0–3‐Jährigen auf 1,0 % bei den 14–18‐Jährigen ab. Jungen und Mädchen waren in allen Altersgruppen fast gleich häufig betroffen. Atopische Erkrankungen als Komorbidität traten bei Kindern mit Urtikaria häufiger auf als in der Kontrollgruppe (16,0 % vs. 8,0 %). Auch Autoimmunerkrankungen, psychische Probleme und Adipositas traten bei Kindern mit Urtikaria häufiger auf als in der Kontrollgruppe.

Schlussfolgerungen: Die erhöhte administrative Prävalenz spezifischer Komorbidität bei Kindern mit Urtikaria deutet auf einen erhöhten Screening‐Bedarf hin. Es gilt, multimodale Behandlungsstrategien zu entwickeln und interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit zu fördern.
Advancing Education's Autonomy through Looking Educationally at Philosophy
Authors: Yosef‐Hassidim Doron
Published: July 2021

This article offers a general framework for considering education's autonomy and its implications for the relationship between education and philosophy. In it, Doron Yosef‐Hassidim examines an initiative in Israel that calls for an autonomous secular public education and uses it as a context to clarify what education's autonomy means and to identify its major characteristics. To enhance the idea of education's autonomy, he further argues that education should not be subordinate to philosophy and that the question about being human must be kept open and educational. In particular, education's autonomy requires resisting the temptation of applying a philosophical framework about being human to education, even if the particular philosopher of education agrees with the philosophical framework. Finally, Yosef‐Hassidim proposes a strategy for treating the question about being human as one that involves both the work of philosophers of education and practitioners in the classroom.
Formative Autonomy: Lessons from Elio Petri
Authors: Baldacchino John
Published: July 2021

John Baldacchino's discussion of the concept of autonomy in this article runs on the dual track of the arts and education. His aim is to engage with the notion of autonomy in terms of what human beings invent (through art) and know (through education) by what they share as free and intelligent beings who live convivially. Following Luigi Pareyson's argument that by form one means a living organism endowed by its own legality (and thereby its own autonomy), Baldacchino offers an analysis of Elio Petri's film La classe operaia va in Paradiso (The Working Class Goes to Heaven) as context for this discussion, which adds a third dimension to the notion of autonomy: that of the political. Here, autonomy is presented as a triangulation of sorts, where what we mean by the autonomous stands for our artistic, educational, and political dispositions (and abilities) to mediate and represent a number of immediate questions with yet‐to‐be‐found answers.
On the sensitivity of food webs to multiple stressors
Authors: Beauchesne David , Cazelles Kevin , Archambault Philippe , Dee Laura E. , Gravel Dominique
Published: July 2021

Evaluating the effects of multiple stressors on ecosystems is becoming increasingly vital with global changes. The role of species interactions in propagating the effects of stressors, although widely acknowledged, has yet to be formally explored. Here, we conceptualise how stressors propagate through food webs and explore how they affect simulated three‐species motifs and food webs of the Canadian St. Lawrence System. We find that overlooking species interactions invariably underestimate the effects of stressors, and that synergistic and antagonistic effects through food webs are prevalent. We also find that interaction type influences a species’ susceptibility to stressors; species in omnivory and tri‐trophic food chain interactions in particular are sensitive and prone to synergistic and antagonistic effects. Finally, we find that apex predators were negatively affected and mesopredators benefited from the effects of stressors due to their trophic position in the St. Lawrence System, but that species sensitivity is dependent on food web structure. In conceptualising the effects of multiple stressors on food webs, we bring theory closer to practice and show that considering the intricacies of ecological communities is key to assess the net effects of stressors on species.
A new and a described species of Cystiphora (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Japan, with reference to geographically diversified intraspecific populations of C. taraxaci and its host range expansion from native Japanese to alien and hybrid species of Taraxacum (Asteraceae)
Authors: Yukawa Junichi , Kim Wanggyu , Nishino Takako , Minami Tsuneo , Yamauchi Satoshi , Ogawa Makoto , Ohara Kenji
Published: July 2021

Two species of Cystiphora (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) are newly recorded from Japan. A gall midge that induces leaf galls on Taraxacum species (Asteraceae) is identified as Cystiphora taraxaci (Kieffer). Another gall midge that is responsible for leaf galls on Sonchus brachyotus (Asteraceae) is described as a new species under the name Cystiphora hachijounae Yukawa and Kim based on its incised hypoproct of male terminalia and some of the pupal characteristics. Genetic analysis supported the species identifications and indicated that the Palearctic C. taraxaci has long existed in Japan. It has been diversifying geographically into intraspecific populations since at least 2.57 Ma. Our current study argues against the recent invasion of Japan by alien C. taraxaci at the time of multiple introductions of European Taraxacum species to Japan for use as food (seed oil), forage and greening material during the late 19th century. Genetic analysis of gall‐bearing Taraxacum plants collected from various localities in Japan indicates that most of them were alien or hybrid plants, while native Japanese species were rare, and these plants exhibited polyploidy from 2x to 5x. Cystiphora taraxaci is considered to have expanded its host range from native Japanese to alien and hybrid species of Taraxacum without regard to polyploidy.
Rule‐based preprocessing for data stream mining using complex event processing
Authors: Ramírez Aurora , Moreno Nathalie , Vallecillo Antonio
Published: July 2021

Data preprocessing is known to be essential to produce accurate data from which mining methods are able to extract valuable knowledge. When data constantly arrives from one or more sources, preprocessing techniques need to be adapted to efficiently handle these data streams. To help domain experts to define and execute preprocessing tasks for data streams, this paper proposes the use of active rule‐based systems and, more specifically, complex event processing (CEP) languages and engines. The main contribution of our approach is the formulation of preprocessing procedures as event detection rules, expressed in an SQL‐like language, that provide domain experts a simple way to manipulate temporal data. This idea is materialized into a publicly available solution that integrates a CEP engine with a library for online data mining. To evaluate our approach, we present three practical scenarios in which CEP rules preprocess data streams with the aim of adding temporal information, transforming features and handling missing values. Experiments show how CEP rules provide an effective language to express preprocessing tasks in a modular and high‐level manner, without significant time and memory overheads. The resulting data streams do not only help improving the predictive accuracy of classification algorithms, but also allow reducing the complexity of the decision models and the time needed for learning in some cases.
A clinical pilot study of salivary gland secretion for xerostomia patients with Sjögren’s syndrome using SPECT/CT
Authors: Minami Yoshiyuki , Ogura Ichiro
Published: July 2021

Introduction

This study examined whether time‐activity curves (TAC) can be used to differentiate between patients with and without Sjögren's syndrome using SPECT/CT.

Methods

Thirteen xerostomia patients (5 with Sjögren's syndrome and 8 without Sjögren's syndrome) underwent SPECT/CT. Salivary gland secretion data were digitally observed, producing separate time‐activity curves (TAC) for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT. The salivary gland secretion fraction was defined as A (before stimulation test [counts/frame]) divided by B (after stimulation test [counts/frame]). The A/B ratios of patients with Sjögren's syndrome and those without Sjögren's syndrome were compared using the Mann‐Whitney U test for nonparametric data.

Results

The A/B ratio of parotid glands with Sjögren's syndrome (1.3 ± 0.2) was significantly lower than for those without Sjögren's syndrome (2.7 ± 0.7). The A/B ratio of submandibular glands with Sjögren's syndrome (1.3 ± 0.4) is significantly lower than for those without Sjögren's syndrome (1.8 ± 0.6).

Conclusion

The TAC for the submandibular glands and parotid glands using SPECT/CT may be useful for the objective and quantitative diagnosis of Sjögren's syndrome.
Foreign aid projects and trust in political institutions
Authors: Watkins Mitchell
Published: July 2021

Do foreign aid projects undermine citizens' trust in local and national political institutions? Drawing on institutional theories of political trust, I hypothesize that foreign aid projects reduce trust in political institutions by lowering citizens' perceptions of government performance and raising perceptions of corruption. To analyze the impact of aid projects on trust, this article utilizes geolocated survey data on citizens' trust in political institutions from Afrobarometer Rounds 2–5 (2003–2012) and data on the location of foreign aid projects from AidData's Aid Information Management Systems datasets for Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. Using a spatial difference‐in‐difference strategy, the empirical results find that active aid projects are on average associated with decreased trust in the president, parliament, and local government council. An exploratory sectoral analysis suggests that the negative average treatment effect is driven by projects in the transportation, agriculture, education, and civil society sectors.
Impact of switching to raltegravir and/or adding losartan in lymphoid tissue fibrosis and inflammation in people living with HIV. A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Torres B , Guardo AC , Squarcia M , Diaz A , Fabra A , Caballero M , Ugarte A , Leal L , Gatell JM , Plana M , Garcia F
Published: July 2021

Background

Persistent inflammation and immune activation are associated with lymph node fibrosis and end‐organ diseases in treatment‐suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH). We investigated the effect of switching to raltegravir and/or adding losartan on lymphoid tissue fibrosis and on the inflammatory/immune‐activation mediators in treated HIV patients.

Methods

Chronic HIV‐infected patients treated with two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (2NRTI) and one non‐NRTI (NNRTI) or protease inhibitor (PI) during at least 48 weeks were randomized to four groups (n = 48): 2NRTI + efavirenz (EFV), 2NRTI + EFV + losartan, 2NRTI + raltegravir and 2NRTI + raltegravir + losartan for 48 weeks. Tonsillar biopsy and peripheral blood markers of CD4 and CD8 T‐lymphocyte activation and senescence, monocyte activation and soluble markers of inflammation were determined at baseline and at week 48 and compared between groups.

Results

No changes in lymphoid tissue architecture were observed. Adding losartan had no impact on lymphocyte subsets. Conversely, patients who switched to raltegravir showed a higher decrease in all activated [CD4+CD38+HLA‐DR+, −0.3 vs. 0.48 (P = 0.033); CD8+CD38+ HLA‐DR+, −1.6 vs. 1.3 (P = 0.02)] and senescent [CD4+CD28–CD57+, −0.3 vs. 0.26 (P = 0.04); CD8+CD28–CD57+, −6.1 vs. 3.8 (P = 0.002)] T lymphocytes. In addition, the median CD4/CD8 ratio increased by 0.35 in patients in the raltegravir group vs. 0.03 in the other arms (P = 0.002). Differences between groups in monocyte subpopulations or soluble inflammation markers were not observed.

Conclusions

Losartan had no effect on lymphoid fibrosis or immune activation/inflammation. Conversely, switching to a regimen with raltegravir significantly decreased activated and senescent T‐lymphocyte subpopulations and increased CD4/CD8 ratio in successfully treated PLWH.
Cytomorphology of normal, reactive, dysmorphic, and dysplastic megakaryocytes in bone marrow aspirates
Authors: Zini Gina , Viscovo Marcello
Published: July 2021

This paper aims to emphasize the importance of applying international consensus guidelines to detect qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of megakaryocytes on smears of bone marrow aspirates (BMA) for a shared and harmonized diagnostic path between different laboratories. Careful evaluation of megakaryocytes on BMA smears represents a cornerstone in the diagnosis of most clonal and nonclonal hematological diseases. Images associated with the detailed morphologic description of normal, reactive, abnormal, and dysplastic megakaryocytes are also reported together with examples of similar cells that, if not promptly identified, can lead to a morphological misdiagnosis.
Laboratory approach to investigation of anemia in pregnancy
Authors: Agarwal Archana M. , Rets Anton
Published: July 2021

Anemia is a global health problem in all age groups. According to World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 40% of pregnant women are anemic. Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) due to nutritional deficiency is the most common cause. The incidence of IDA varies worldwide depending on the socioeconomic status, but it remains the leading cause even in developed countries. Physiologic anemia of pregnancy due to relatively higher expansion of blood volume in comparison with elevated red blood cell mass also occurs frequently. Complete blood count (CBC) in the first trimester is recommended for all pregnant women to screen for anemia. The screening of pregnant women for IDA in absence of anemia is still debatable. If IDA is suspected, ferritin level of <30 ng/ml is diagnostic. Iron supplementation is recommended for all pregnant women to compensate the increased demand.
Evaluation of measurable residual disease in multiple myeloma by multiparametric flow cytometry: Current paradigm, guidelines, and future applications
Authors: Soh Kah Teong , Wallace Paul K.
Published: July 2021

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogeneous group of mature B‐cell diseases that are typically characterized by the presence and accumulation of abnormal plasma cells (PCs), which results in the excess production of monoclonal immunoglobulin and/or light chain found in the serum and/or urine. Multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) is an indispensable tool to supplement the diagnosis, classification and monitoring of the disease due to its high patient applicability, excellent sensitivity and encouraging results from various clinical trials. In this regard, minimal or, more appropriately, measurable residual disease (MRD) negativity by MFC has been recognized as a powerful predictor of favourable long‐term outcomes. Before flow cytometry can be effectively implemented in the clinical setting for MM MRD testing, sample preparation, panel configuration, analysis and gating strategies must be optimized to ensure accurate results. This manuscript will discuss the current consensus guidelines for flow cytometric processing of samples and reporting of results for MM MRD testing. We also discuss alternative approaches to detect plasma cells in the presence of daratumumab treatment. Finally, there is a lack of information describing the subclonal distribution of myeloma cells based on their protein expression. The advent of high‐dimensional analysis may assist in following the evolution of antigen expression patterns on abnormal plasma cells in patients with relapsed/refractory disease. This in turn can help identify clonal subtypes that are more aggressive for potential informed decision. An analysis using t‐SNE to identify the emergence of PCs subclones by MFC, along with the analysis of their immunophenotypic profiles are presented as a future perspective.
Gene therapy for hemophilia: Current status and laboratory consequences
Authors: Batty Paul , Lillicrap David
Published: July 2021

Since the cloning and characterization of the factor VIII (FVIII) and factor IX genes in the mid‐1980s, gene therapy has been perceived as having significant potential for the treatment of severe hemophilia. Now, some 35 years later, these proposals are close to being realized through the licensing of the first clinical gene therapy product. Adeno‐associated viral vector‐mediated gene therapy for hemophilia A and B has been extensively investigated in preclinical models over the past 20 years, and since 2011, there has been increasing evidence in early phase clinical trials that this therapeutic strategy can provide safe and effective rescue of the hemostatic phenotype in severe hemophilia. As the uptake of hemophilia gene therapy progresses, it is clear that many aspects of the gene therapy process require crucial laboratory support to ensure safe and effective outcomes from his new therapeutic paradigm. These laboratory contributions extend from evaluations of the gene therapy vehicle, assessments of the patient immune status for the vector, and ultimately the performance of assays to determine the hemostatic benefit of the gene therapy and potentially of its long‐term safety on the host genome. As with many aspects of past hemophilia care, the safe and effective delivery of gene therapy will require an informed and coordinated contribution from laboratory science.
Pathogen‐induced inflammation is attenuated by the iminosugar MON‐DNJ via modulation of the unfolded protein response
Authors: Sayce Andrew C. , Martinez Fernando O. , Tyrrell Beatrice E. , Perera Nilanka , Hill Michelle L. , Dwek Raymond A. , Miller Joanna L. , Zitzmann Nicole
Published: July 2021

Sepsis is a life‐threatening condition involving a dysregulated immune response to infectious agents that cause injury to host tissues and organs. Current treatments are limited to early administration of antibiotics and supportive care. While appealing, the strategy of targeted inhibition of individual molecules in the inflammatory cascade has not proved beneficial. Non‐targeted, systemic immunosuppression with steroids has shown limited efficacy and raises concern for secondary infection. Iminosugars are a class of small molecule glycomimetics with distinct inhibition profiles for glycan processing enzymes based on stereochemistry. Inhibition of host endoplasmic reticulum resident glycoprotein processing enzymes has demonstrated efficacy as a broad‐spectrum antiviral strategy, but limited consideration has been given to the effects on host glycoprotein production and consequent disruption of signalling cascades. This work demonstrates that iminosugars inhibit dengue virus, bacterial lipopolysaccharide and fungal antigen‐stimulated cytokine responses in human macrophages. In spite of decreased inflammatory mediator production, viral replication is suppressed in the presence of iminosugar. Transcriptome analysis reveals the key interaction of pathogen‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, the resulting unfolded protein response and inflammation. Our work shows that iminosugars modulate these interactions. Based on these findings, we propose a new therapeutic role for iminosugars as treatment for sepsis‐related inflammatory disorders associated with excess cytokine secretion.
Direct ink writing of vancomycin‐loaded polycaprolactone/ polyethylene oxide/ hydroxyapatite 3D scaffolds
Authors: Zhang Bin , Nguyen Alexander K. , Narayan Roger J. , Huang Jie
Published: July 2021

Novel inks were formulated by dissolving polycaprolactone (PCL), a hydrophobic polymer, in organic solvent systems; polyethylene oxide (PEO) was incorporated to extend the range of hydrophilicity of the system. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) with a weight ratio of 55–85% was added to the polymer‐based solution to mimic the material composition of natural bone tissue. The direct ink writing (DIW) technique was applied to extrude the formulated inks to fabricate the predesigned tissue scaffold structures; the influence of HAp concentration was investigated. The results indicate that in comparison to other inks containing HAp (55%, 75%, and 85%w/w), the ink containing 65% w/w HAp had faster ink recovery behavior; the fabricated scaffold had a rougher surface as well as better mechanical properties and wettability. It is noted that the 65% w/w HAp concentration is similar to the inorganic composition of natural bone tissue. The elastic modulus values of PCL/PEO/HAp scaffolds were in the range of 4–12 MPa; the values were dependent on the HAp concentration. Furthermore, vancomycin as a model drug was successfully encapsulated in the PCL/PEO/HAp composite scaffold for drug release applications. This paper presents novel drug‐loaded PCL/PEO/HAp inks for 3D scaffold fabrication using the DIW printing technique for potential bone scaffold applications.
The Community of Inquiry perspective on students' social presence, cognitive presence, and academic performance in online project‐based learning
Authors: Guo Pengyue , Saab Nadira , Wu Lin , Admiraal Wilfried
Published: July 2021

Project‐based learning (PjBL) engages students in knowledge acquisition, application, and construction through artefact development. Based on the Community of Inquiry framework, this study characterized college students' social and cognitive presences in online PjBL and examined how presence was related to their academic performance. Twenty‐four groups of students participated in a 3‐week project via WeChat discussion groups and created a final product. Transcripts of students' online discourse were collected and analysed by a coding scheme. The quality of students' artefacts was evaluated by a grading rubric. Descriptive results showed that the component of affectiveness and the level of exploration accounted for the majority of students' social and cognitive presences, respectively. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that certain components and sub‐components of students' social presence, and levels and sub‐levels of their cognitive presence were positively associated with their academic performance. Practical implications for teachers and suggestions for further research are provided.
Comparison of procedural efficacy, balloon nadir temperature, and incidence of phrenic nerve palsy between two cryoballoon technologies for pulmonary vein isolation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Assaf Amira , Bhagwandien Rohit , Szili‐Torok Tamas , Yap Sing‐Chien
Published: July 2021

Introduction

In May 2020, a novel cryoballoon system (POLARx; Boston Scientific) became available for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The design of the cryoballoon is comparable to the Arctic Front Advance Pro (AFA‐Pro; Medtronic), but it is more compliant during freezing. We compared the procedural efficacy, biophysical parameters, and risk of phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) between the two cryoballoons.

Methods

Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were searched until June 1, 2021 for relevant studies comparing POLARx versus AFA‐Pro in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for AF.

Results

A total of four studies, involving 310 patients were included. There was no difference between the two groups for outcomes regarding procedural efficacy: acute PVI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 3.03; p = .40), procedure time (mean difference [MD]: 8.15 min; 95% CI: −8.09 to 24.39; p = .33), fluoroscopy time (MD: 1.32 min; 95% CI: −1.61 to 4.25; p = .38) and ablation time (MD: 1.00 min; 95% CI: −0.20 to 2.20; p = .10). The balloon nadir temperature was lower for all individual pulmonary veins (PV) in POLARx compared with AFA‐Pro (MD: −9.74°C, −9.98°C, −6.72°C, −7.76°C, for left superior PV, left inferior PV, right superior PV, and right inferior PV, respectively; all p < .001). The incidence of PNP was similar between groups (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.22 to 2.85; p = .72).

Conclusion

In AF patients undergoing PVI, POLARx and AFA‐Pro had a similar procedural efficacy. Balloon nadir temperatures were lower with POLARx, however, the incidence of PNP was similar.
LncRNA PVT1 promotes the progression of ovarian cancer by activating TGF‐β pathway via miR‐148a‐3p/AGO1 axis
Authors: Wu Yuxian , Gu Wenqian , Han Xiao , Jin Zhijun
Published: July 2021

Ovarian cancer is a lethal gynaecologic malignancy with poor diagnosis and prognosis. The long non‐coding RNA plasmacytoma variant translocation1 (PVT1) and argonaute 1 (AGO1) are associated with carcinogenesis and chemoresistance; however, the relationship between PVT1 and AGO1 and the downstream mechanisms in ovarian cancer remains poorly known. PVT1 and AGO1 expression was assessed through RT‐qPCR and Western blotting in both human tissues and cell lines. The viability and proliferation of ovarian cancer cells were determined by CCK‐8 assay and TUNEL assay in vitro and immunohistochemistry in vivo. Cell invasion and migration were investigated through transwell and wound‐healing assays. The roles and mechanisms of AGO1 on cell functions were further probed via gain‐ and loss‐of‐function analysis. We reveal that PVT1 expression was significantly increased in ovarian cancer tissues which is associated with advanced FIGO stage, lymph‐node metastasis, poor survival rate, and high expression of AGO1. PVT1 or AGO1 knockdown significantly reduced the cell viability and increased the cell apoptosis and inhibited ovarian tumour growth and proliferation. Furthermore, we discovered that PVT1 up‐regulated the expression of AGO1 and thus regulated the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) pathway to promote ovarian cancer progression through sponging miR‐148a‐3p. Additionally, the activation of ERK1/2, smad2 and smad4 is observed to be related to the PVT1/miR‐148a‐3p/AGO1/TGF‐β pathway‐induced cascades. Taken together, the present study reveals that PVT1/miR‐148a/AGO1 axis plays an important role in the progression of ovarian cancer and emphasize the potential as a target of value for ovarian cancer therapy.
Conditional deficiency of m6A methyltransferase Mettl14 in substantia nigra alters dopaminergic neuron function
Authors: Teng Yan , Liu Zhihao , Chen Xingmin , Liu Yanzhuo , Geng Fan , Le Weidong , Jiang Haisong , Yang Lu
Published: July 2021

N6‐Methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal modification in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of eukaryotes and plays a vital role in post‐transcriptional regulation. Recent studies demonstrated that m6A is essential for the normal function of the central nervous system (CNS), and the deregulation of m6A leads to a series of CNS diseases. However, the functional consequences of m6A deficiency within the dopaminergic neurons of adult brain are elusive. To evaluate the necessity of m6A in dopaminergic neuron functions, we conditionally deleted Mettl14, one of the most important part of m6A methyltransferase complexes, in the substantia nigra (SN) region enriched with dopaminergic neurons. By using rotarod test, pole test, open‐field test and elevated plus maze, we found that the deletion of Mettl14 in the SN region induces impaired motor function and locomotor activity. Further molecular analysis revealed that Mettl14 deletion significantly reduced the total level of m6A in the mRNA isolated from SN region. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), an essential enzyme for dopamine synthesis, was also down‐regulated upon Mettl14 deletion, while the activation of microglia and astrocyte was enhanced. Moreover, the expression of three essential transcription factors in the regulation of TH including Nurr1, Pitx3 and En1, with abundant m6A‐binding sites on their RNA 3’‐untranslated regions (UTR), was significantly decreased upon Mettl14 deletion in SN. Our finding first confirmed the significance of m6A in maintaining normal dopaminergic function in the SN of adult mouse.
CELF2 is a candidate prognostic and immunotherapy biomarker in triple‐negative breast cancer and lung squamous cell carcinoma: A pan‐cancer analysis
Authors: Wang Libo , Liu Zaoqu , Liu Long , Guo Chunguang , Jiao Dechao , Li Lifeng , Zhao Jie , Han Xinwei , Sun Yuling
Published: July 2021

CUGBP Elav‐like family member 2(CELF2) plays crucial roles in the development and activation of T cell. However, the impacts of CELF2 on tumour‐infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) and clinical outcomes of tumours remain unclear. In this study, we found that elevated CELF2 expression was markedly correlated with prolonged survival in multiple tumours, particularly in breast and lung cancers. Notably, CELF2 only impacted the prognosis of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) with lymph node metastasis. Further investigation showed CELF2 expression was positively correlated with the infiltration abundance of dendritic cells (DCs), CD8+ T cells and neutrophils in breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) and DCs in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). CELF2 also had strong correlations with markers of diverse TIICs such as T cells, tumour‐associated macrophages and DCs in BRCA and LUSC. Importantly, CELF2 was significantly associated with plenty of immune checkpoint molecules (ICMs) and outperformed five prevalent biomarkers including PD‐1, PD‐L1, CTLA‐4, CD8 and tumour mutation burden in predicting immunotherapeutic responses. Immunohistochemistry also revealed lower protein levels of CELF2 in TNBC and LUSC compared to normal tissues, and patients with high expression showed significantly prolonged prognosis. In conclusion, we demonstrated that increased CELF2 expression was closely related to better prognosis and superior TIIC infiltration and ICM expression, particularly in BRCA and LUSC. CELF2 also performed well in evaluating the immunotherapeutic efficacy, suggesting CELF2 might be a promising biomarker.
Position statement on the role of nurses in therapeutic patient education in atopic dermatitis
Authors: Thormann K. , Aubert H. , Barbarot S. , Britsch‐Yilmaz A. , Chernyshov P. , Deleuran M. , El‐Hachem M. , de Groot J. , Heratizadeh A. , Raymakers F. , Stalder J.F. , Wollenberg A. , Simon D.
Published: July 2021

In chronic skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), therapeutic failure due to poor patient adherence to treatment is commonly reported. Therapeutic patient education (TPE) is an approach to improve self‐management and adherence. Several studies demonstrated that TPE programmes have positive effects on disease management resulting in decreased disease severity and improved quality of life in AD patients. Various healthcare professionals (dermatologists, nurses, psychologists, dieticians) have been involved. TPE performed by trained dermatology nurses are highly efficient and improve various health‐related outcomes. The aim of this position paper is to analyse the aims, modalities and efficacy of TPE in AD, to identify specific roles of dermatology nurses, to assess qualification requirements, and to propose practical recommendations. Potential activities of nurses in ongoing and future TPE programmes for AD patients will be discussed.
Using Emancipation Checklists with Youths Aging Out of Foster Care: An Example from Prince George’s County
Authors: Shdaimah Corey , Summers Alicia , Park Eunsong
Published: July 2021

This study examined implementation of a 12‐item questionnaire, the Emancipation Checklist, designed to help child welfare judicial decision‐makers (JD) identify and monitor older youth achievement of milestones toward adulthood. Drawing on case file reviews, focus groups with professional stakeholders and young adults, and court observations, we found that stakeholders, including youths in foster care, viewed the EC as helpful in catalyzing conversation and follow up. Inconsistent use and documentation and ambiguity of some questions impeded its value. We provide recommendations for clear and consistent use, follow up, and further research to examine the impact of the EC on readiness for adulthood.
Optimization of tools for the detection and identification of Cryptocotyle metacercariae in fish: Digestion method and viability studies
Authors: Duflot Maureen , Midelet Graziella , Bourgau Odile , Buchmann Kurt , Gay Mélanie
Published: July 2021

Some trematode metacercariae, including marine digeneans belonging to the genus Cryptocotyle, induce black spots in target tissues due to the attraction of fish host melanophores. To promote precise quantification of infection, the counting of black spots has to be confirmed by reliable quantification of metacercariae after tissue digestion. This process ensures the isolation of undamaged parasites for morphological and molecular identification. The aim of this work was to optimize the pepsin digestion protocol and to assess the duration of viability of Cryptocotyle metacercariae in fish post‐mortem (pm). Four digestion protocols were compared by measuring the viability rate of metacercariae. The present study shows that the orbital digestion method was the least destructive for metacercariae and allowed better quantification of Cryptocotyle infection. Moreover, morphological identification seemed reliable up to 8 days pm for Cryptocotyle infection.
Associations of seasonal variations and meteorological parameters with incidences of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Guo Chuan‐Guo , Tian Linwei , Zhang Feifei , Cheung Ka Shing , Leung Wai K
Published: July 2021

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated the seasonal variations of non‐variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), but there is scanty data on lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) and the association with other meteorological parameters.

Methods

We included all patients hospitalized for UGIB and LGIB between 2009 and 2018 in Hong Kong. The monthly age‐standardized and sex‐standardized GIB incidences were fitted to meteorological data including average temperature (AT), maximum temperature (MaxT), minimum temperature (MinT), temperature range (TR), average precipitation, average atmospheric pressure (AtomP), and average relative humidity after adjusting for prescriptions of aspirin, proton pump inhibitors, and Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy using the autoregressive integrated moving average model.

Results

Despite a gradual decline in UGIB incidences, the incidences of UGIB were still higher in winter months. The incidence and fluctuation of both UGIB and LGIB were higher in the older age groups, especially those ≥80 years. The seasonality was only identified in those ≥60 years for UGIB, and only in those ≥80 years for LGIB. UGIB incidence was inversely associated with AT, MaxT, and MinT, but positively associated with TR and AtomP. LGIB was also significantly associated with AT, MaxT, MinT, and AtomP.

Conclusion

Despite the changes in GIB incidences, the seasonal patterns of GIB were still marked in the elderly. With the aging population, the impacts of seasonal variations on GIB incidences could be considerable.
An integrated model of care utilizing community health workers to promote safe transitions of care
Authors: Ohuabunwa Ugochi , Johnson Ebony , Turner Joyce , Jordan Queenie , Popoola Victor , Flacker Jonathan
Published: July 2021

Background/Objectives

Healthcare systems' adoption and sustenance of successful transitional care models (TCMs) have been limited by cost‐prohibitive resource needs. Cost‐effective TCMs that improve patient outcomes are needed to promote adoption by healthcare systems and sustainability. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a TCM utilizing community health workers (CHWs) in reducing inappropriate healthcare utilization and costs.

Design

A cohort study with a pre–post intervention evaluation of the intervention group.

Setting

A 953‐bed academic urban safety‐net hospital.

Participants

Eligible participants (N = 154) were hospitalized or had repeated emergency room (ER) visits, identified to be at high risk for readmission.

Intervention

Promotion of self‐management skills acquisition and care coordination by CHWs achieved through predischarge interdisciplinary team meetings, regular home visits and phone contact, accompaniment to primary care physicians' (PCP) appointments, support with transportation, medications, and self‐management education.

Measurements

Outcome measures were readmissions, ER visits, and PCP establishment.

Results

Mean age of participants was 67, 65% were male, 92% African American. There was a significant reduction in overall number of readmissions (Z = 9.6, p < 0.001), also observed at 30‐day (Z = 5.5, p < 0.001), 3‐month (Z = 4.3, p < 0.001), 6‐month (Z = 4.0, p = 0.001), and 1‐year (Z = 5.4, p < 0.001) post‐intervention. There was a significant reduction in the overall number of ER visits (Z = 5.5, p < 0.001), also seen at 3‐month (Z = 3.3, p < 0.001), 6‐month (Z = 3.0, p < 0.001), and 1‐year (Z = 4.0, p < 0.001) intervals. Care with a PCP was established in 86.6% of participants. Utilization costs were significantly lower post‐intervention ($11,530,376.39 vs $4,017,493.17, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Use of CHWs during transitions of care may be a cost‐effective approach to reducing healthcare utilization and costs and may promote adoption and sustainability within healthcare systems.
Neuropeptide CART modulates dopamine turnover in the nucleus accumbens: Insights into the anatomy of rewarding circuits
Authors: Awathale Sanjay N. , Choudhary Amit G. , Subhedar Nishikant K. , Kokare Dadasaheb M.
Published: July 2021

Neuropeptide cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART) is known to influence the activity of the canonical mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway and modulate reward seeking behaviour. CART neurons of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) send afferents to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) and these nuclei, in turn, send secondary projections to nucleus accumbens. We try to dissect the precise sites of CART’s action in these circuits in promoting reward. Rats were implanted with bipolar electrode targeted at the lateral hypothalamus‐medial forebrain bundle (LH‐MFB) and trained to press the lever through intracranial self‐stimulation (ICSS) protocol. CART (55–102) administered directly into posterior VTA (pVTA) or PVT of the conditioned rats significantly increased the number of lever presses, indicating reward‐promoting activity of the peptide. Concomitant increase in dopamine (DA) and 3, 4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) efflux was noted in the microdialysate collected from the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh). On the other hand, immunoneutralization of endogenous CART with CART antibodies injected directly in the pVTA or PVT reduced the lever press activity as well as DA and DOPAC efflux in the AcbSh. Injection of CART (1–39) in pVTA or PVT was ineffective. We suggest that CART cells in the LH‐MFB area send afferents to (a) pVTA and influence dopaminergic neurons projecting to AcbSh and (b) PVT, from where the secondary neurons may feed into the AcbSh. Excitation of the CARTergic pathway to the pVTA as well as the PVT seems to promote DA release in the AcbSh and contribute to the generation of reward.

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