bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical and molecular characteristics of forty Chinese children with essential thrombocythemia: A single‐center, retrospective analysis
Authors: Zhang Luyang , Chen Xiaoli , Hu Tianyuan , Xu Zefeng , Yang Wenyu , Fu Rongfeng , Zhang Lei , Zhu Xiaofan
Published: January 2023

Due to the infrequency of essential thrombocythemia (ET) in children, little is known about its pathophysiological mechanism. To learn about the clinical and molecular features of Chinese children with ET, we retrospectively analysed 40 children with ET in a single center from 2015–2021. More than half of the children (51.3%, 20/39) were asymptomatic at diagnosis. Nearly half of the children (48.7%, 19/39) had microvascular symptoms, including headache, dizziness, stomachache, and paresthesia. Only two cases experienced vascular events. The proportion of children with typical “driver gene mutations” (i.e., JAK2 p.V617F, CALR exon 9, or MPL exon 10 mutation) was low (12.5%, 5/40). The equivalent ratio of children carried atypical driver gene mutations; however, 30 (75%) patients did not harbour driver gene mutations. Children carrying JAK2 p.V617F had lower platelet count (938 × 109/L vs. 1654 × 109/L, p = 0.031) compared to those without driver gene mutations. Cases harbouring typical driver mutations had higher median WBC counts than those without driver gene mutations (15.14 × 109/L vs. 8.01 × 109/L, p = 0.015). Compared to those without driver gene mutations, cases carrying typical and atypical driver gene mutations were both younger (median ages were 12, 6, and 7 years old, respectively; p = 0.023). The most prevalent non‐driver gene mutations and those mutations with prognostic significance in adult counterparts were less common in children with ET compared to adults with ET.
PERK‐STING‐RIPK3 pathway facilitates cognitive impairment by inducing neuronal necroptosis in sepsis‐associated encephalopathy
Authors: Xiaofeng Guo , You Wu , Qi Jia , Hongwei Ma , Zhongmin Fan , Shiquan Wang , Lixia Du , Yuliang Peng , Zongping Fang , Xijing Zhang
Published: January 2023

Aims

Sepsis‐associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common but serious complication in septic survivors and often causes long‐term cognitive impairments. The role of RIPK3‐participated necroptosis in SAE remains obscured. STING is a key molecule in regulating necroptosis and apoptosis. However, there is uncertainty as to the mechanisms of STING in CLP‐induced SAE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether STING is involved in the underlying mechanism of SAE.

Methods

The contextual fear conditioning test (CFCT) assesses cognitive impairment. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to notice the necroptosis. Western blotting and immunofluorescence labeling were applied for the observation of related proteins.

Results

The phosphorylated STING in the hippocampal neuron of SAE mice was significantly elevated. Knocking down STING inhibited necroptosis and attenuated cognitive impairment in SAE mice. Moreover, RIPK3−/− mice had less cognitive deficit in the SAE model. However, STING overexpression did not deteriorate cognitive impairment in RIPK3−/− mice with SAE, indicating that STING is upstream involved in necroptosis. Furthermore, PERK inhibition ameliorated cognitive deficits through a STING‐dependent pathway in SAE mice.

Conclusion

PERK‐STING‐RIPK3 pathway facilitates cognitive impairment by inducing neuronal necroptosis in the pathology of SAE, which provided a new therapeutic target in SAE treatment.
When does a female leadership advantage exist? Evidence from SOEs in China
Authors: Li Hanchen , Tong Xiaochuan
Published: January 2023

Research Question/Issue

We approach the ongoing debate in the literature on when and why a female leadership advantage exists in the context of China. In particular, we examine whether female CEOs outperform male CEOs in state‐owned enterprises (SOEs).

Research Findings/Insights

We show that a female leadership advantage exists in SOEs. We find that the female leadership increased performance is attributed to improved profitability, capital structure, and operating efficiency. The magnitude of this gender effect is bigger in central state‐owned enterprises (CSOEs) than that in local state‐owned enterprises (LSOEs). The results are robust to additional tests that mitigate the sample selection and other endogeneity concerns.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

We use the role congruity theory to motivate and develop the hypotheses drawing insights upon the literature in psychology and leadership. Female CEOs are perceived as less congruent with their leadership roles given the gender role stereotypes. Thus, they face more challenges and difficulties than male CEOs. These obstacles take at least two forms which are significant in SOEs: shareholder activism and sex discrimination. Female CEOs have to outperform their male counterparts to alleviate the pressure from shareholder activism and showcase their managerial skills and abilities.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

For the state shareholders, the extra scrutiny in selecting female CEOs should be lifted given this outperformance. The evidence is also relevant for CEOs to choose their career paths among different types of firms, for boards of directors on their strategic decisions on CEO hiring, and for policy makers to promote the female leadership advantage.
Type H vessel/platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β+ perivascular cell disintegration is involved in vascular injury and bone loss in radiation‐induced bone damage
Authors: Li Jiayan , Chen Xiaodan , Ren Lin , Chen Xijuan , Wu Tong , Wang Yun , Ren Xianyue , Cheng Bin , Xia Juan
Published: January 2023

Collapse of the microvascular system is a prerequisite for radiation‐induced bone loss. Since type H vessels, a specific bone vessel subtype surrounded by platelet‐derived growth factor receptor β+ (PDGFRβ+) perivascular cells (PVCs), has been recently identified to couple angiogenesis and osteogenesis, we hypothesize that type H vessel injury initiates PDGFRβ+ PVC dysfunction, which contributes to the abnormal angiogenesis and osteogenesis after irradiation. In this study, we found that radiation led to the decrease of both type H endothelial cell (EC) and PDGFRβ+ PVC numbers. Remarkably, results from lineage tracing showed that PDGFRβ+ PVCs detached from microvessels and converted the lineage commitment from osteoblasts to adipocytes, leading to vascular injury and bone loss after irradiation. These phenotype transitions above were further verified to be associated with the decrease in hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α)/PDGF‐BB/PDGFRβ signalling between type H ECs and PDGFRβ+ PVCs. Pharmacological blockade of HIF‐1α/PDGF‐BB/PDGFRβ signalling induced a phenotype similar to radiation‐induced bone damage, while the rescue of this signalling significantly alleviated radiation‐induced bone injury. Our findings show that the decrease in HIF‐1α/PDGF‐BB/PDGFRβ signalling between type H ECs and PDGFRβ+ PVCs after irradiation affects the homeostasis of EC‐PVC coupling and plays a part in vascular damage and bone loss, which has broad implications for effective translational therapies.
Tetrahedral framework nucleic acids inhibit pathological neovascularization and vaso‐obliteration in ischaemic retinopathy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway
Authors: Zhou Xiaodi , Lai Yanting , Xu Xiaoxiao , Wang Qiong , Sun Limei , Chen Limei , Li Jiajie , Li Rong , Luo Delun , Lin Yunfeng , Ding Xiaoyan
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to explore the effect and the molecular mechanism of tetrahedral framework nucleic acids (tFNAs), a novel self‐assembled nanomaterial with excellent biocompatibility and superior endocytosis ability, in inhibition of pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) and more importantly, in amelioration of vaso‐obliteration (VO) in ischaemic retinopathy. tFNAs were synthesized from four single‐stranded DNAs (ssDNAs). Cell proliferation, wound healing and tube formation assays were performed to explore cellular angiogenic functions in vitro. The effects of tFNAs on reducing angiogenesis and inhibiting VO were explored by oxygen‐induced retinopathy (OIR) model in vivo. In vitro, tFNAs were capable to enter endothelial cells (ECs), inhibit cell proliferation, tube formation and migration under hypoxic conditions. In vivo, tFNAs successfully reduce RNV and inhibit VO in OIR model via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR/S6K pathway, while vascular endothelial growth factor fusion protein, Aflibercept, could reduce RNV but not inhibit VO. This study provides a theoretical basis for the further understanding of RNV and suggests that tFNAs might be a novel promising candidate for the treatment of blind‐causing RNV.
Hyperglycaemia following immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy—Incidence, aetiology and assessment
Authors: Mulla Kaenat , Farag Sheima , Moore Benedict , Matharu Sheila , Young Kate , Larkin James , Popat Sanjay , Morganstein Daniel Laurence
Published: January 2023

Aims

We systematically studied the presence of hyperglycaemia during treatment with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICPI) for cancer, in those with and without diabetes at baseline, and determined the cause of new‐onset hyperglycaemia,

Methods

Retrospective review of electronic records of those receiving an ICPI for melanoma, lung or renal cancer.

Results

Overall, 959 participants were included. In this study, 103 had diabetes at baseline (10.7%). Those with lung cancer had the highest frequency of diabetes; 131 people had hyperglycaemia (defined as at least one glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L) in the year after starting an ICPI. The incidence was 55% in those with diabetes at baseline, and 8.6% in those without baseline diabetes. Among 74 with new‐onset hyperglycaemia (without pre‐existing diabetes) 76% was attributable to steroid induced diabetes, with 9.5% due to ICPI Induced diabetes resembling type 1 diabetes.

Conclusions

Hyperglycaemia is common in persons receiving an ICPI for cancer, including 8.6% of those without known diabetes. While much of this is due to glucocorticoid use, care is needed to avoid missing those with ICPI‐induced diabetes who are at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency.
Do industrial robots affect the labour market? Evidence from China
Authors: Zhang Lihua , Gan Tian , Fan Jiachen
Published: January 2023

The industrial robot is an essential part of modern manufacturing. Using micro‐level data, this study investigates the effects of industrial robots on the labour market in China. The results show that the adoption of industrial robots increases firm‐level employment by 31.65%. Using the Bartik method, we construct robot penetration as an instrumental variable of robot adoption to tackle endogenous problems. Our results stand up to a series of robustness checks. Moreover, the effects of robots are mainly owing to the expansion of the output scale, increased productivity, and upgraded products. We also find the skill‐biased impact of robots and the spillover effect of industrial robots through production networks.
Quantitative muscle magnetic resonance imaging depicts microstructural abnormalities but no signs of inflammation or dystrophy in post‐COVID‐19 condition
Authors: Enax‐Krumova Elena , Forsting Johannes , Rohm Marlena , Schwenkreis Peter , Tegenthoff Martin , Meyer‐Frießem Christine H. , Schlaffke Lara
Published: January 2023

Background and Purpose

Post‐COVID‐19 condition (PCC) has high impact on quality of life, with myalgia and fatigue affecting at least 25% of PCC patients. This case–control study aims to noninvasively assess muscular alterations via quantitative muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as possible mechanisms for ongoing musculoskeletal complaints and premature exhaustion in PCC.

Methods

Quantitative muscle MRI was performed on a 3 Tesla MRI scanner of the whole legs in PCC patients compared to age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls, including a Dixon sequence to determine muscle fat fraction (FF), a multi‐echo spin‐echo sequence for quantitative water mapping reflecting putative edema, and a diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo echo‐planar imaging sequence to assess microstructural alterations. Clinical examination, nerve conduction studies, and serum creatine kinase were performed in all patients. Quantitative muscle MRI results were correlated to the results of the 6‐min walk test and standardized questionnaires assessing quality of life, fatigue, and depression.

Results

Twenty PCC patients (female: n = 15, age = 48.8 ± 10.1 years, symptoms duration = 13.4 ± 4.2 months, body mass index [BMI] = 28.8 ± 4.7 kg/m2) were compared to 20 healthy controls (female: n = 15, age = 48.1 ± 11.1 years, BMI = 22.9 ± 2.2 kg/m2). Neither FF nor T2 revealed signs of muscle degeneration or inflammation in either study groups. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed reduced mean, axial, and radial diffusivity in the PCC group.

Conclusions

Quantitative muscle MRI did not depict any signs of ongoing inflammation or dystrophic process in the skeletal muscles in PCC patients. However, differences observed in muscle DTI depict microstructural abnormalities, which may reflect potentially reversible fiber hypotrophy due to deconditioning. Further longitudinal and interventional studies should prove this hypothesis.
Metalloprotease‐mediated cleavage of CD95 ligand
Authors: Risso Vesna , Thomas Mélissa , Guével Blandine , Lavigne Regis , Com Emmanuelle , Martin Sophie , Nivet Manon , Pineau Charles , Negroni Luc , Lafont Élodie , Chevet Éric , Eriksson Leif A. , Le Gallo Matthieu
Published: January 2023

CD95 is a member of the TNF receptor superfamily that is ubiquitously expressed in healthy and pathological tissues. Stimulation of CD95 by its physiological ligand CD95L induces its oligomerization leading in turn to the transduction of either apoptotic or nonapoptotic signals. CD95L can exist as both membrane‐anchored and soluble forms (sCD95L), the latter resulting from the proteolytic cleavage of the former. Candidate proteases able to achieve CD95L cleavage were identified as matrix metalloproteases (MMP) due to their demonstrated ability to cleave other TNF superfamily ligands. The main goal of this study was to systematically identify the MMP family members capable of cleaving CD95L and subsequently determine the corresponding cleavage sites. By using different orthogonal biochemical approaches and combining them with molecular modelling, we confirmed data from the literature regarding CD95L cleavage by MMP‐3 and MMP‐7. Moreover, we found that MMP‐2 and MMP‐12 can cleave CD95L and characterized their resulting cleavage sites. This study provides a systematic approach to analyse the cleavage of CD95L, which until now had only been poorly described.
Fabrication, characterisation and antimicrobial activity of electrospun Plantago psyllium L. seed gum/gelatine nanofibres incorporated with Cuminum cyminum essential oil nanoemulsion
Authors: Mohajeri Parisa , Hematian Sourki Abdollah , Mehregan Nikoo Alireza , Ertas Yavuz Nuri
Published: January 2023

Plantago psyllium L. seed gum (PPSG)/gelatine nanocomposites containing Cuminum cyminum essential oil (CCEO) were prepared via electrospinning, and the antibacterial properties of the electrospun nanofibres were assessed against Staphylococcus aureus. The nanoemulsion was prepared by adding CCEO to the PPSG/gelatine mixture and sonicated. Uniform nanofibres resulted from the nanoemulsion containing 1.5% PPSG, 8% gelatine and 3% CCEO, and no chemical reactions between the components of the electrospun nanofibres were detected. Growth inhibition zone diameter indicated that the electrospun nanofibres containing at least 3% CCEO had the most significant inhibitory effect on the growth of S. aureus. The electrospun PPSG/gelatine‐CCEO nanocomposites are capable of being used as a biodegradable material in food packaging as well as in edible coatings for the preservation of food products.
Comparative analysis of food heating techniques on purine release in beef
Authors: Tao Chunlin , Sha Wanqian , Xiao Lu , Amakye William Kwame , Xiao Ganhong , Ren Jiaoyan
Published: January 2023

Beef is widely believed to be high in purines and should be restricted in the daily diet of hyperuricemia population. In this study, we measured and analysed the purines in beef which treated with several thermal techniques or their combination, including steam heating at 100 °C, 120 °C and 140 °C, microwave heating on low, medium and high fire, and infrared heating at 120 °C, 130 °C and 140 °C. In comparison with raw beef, steam heating at 100 °C (P < 0.0001), high fire microwaved heating (P < 0.0001), and infrared heating at 130 °C (P < 0.0001) reduced the total purine sharply, especially the uricogenic purines. And the superposition of steam heating such as SM (P = 0.002) and SI (P = 0.004) slightly decreased purine contents more than other combinations. Additionally, there were apparent differences in total purines upon the gastrointestinal digestion of processed beef. These provide a viable diet alternative for decreasing the purine contents in beef and which could be essential for managing high uric acid levels for hyperuricemia and gout.
High rate of false‐positive postoperative venous thromboembolism identified using hospital ICD‐10 coding
Authors: Bortz Hadley , Shi Linda , Chee Adrian , Tran Huyen
Published: January 2023

The Health Roundtable, a national benchmarking body, identified our institution as an outlier with a high number of postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) events. We performed a retrospective study to determine the accuracy of hospital coding for the incidence and severity of postoperative VTE. Of 232 patients identified from ICD‐10 coding, 52 (22.4%) were incorrectly coded. Approximately one third (n = 68) of all VTE were asymptomatic, diagnosed incidentally. Thus, coding data are inherently flawed with inaccuracy and overrepresent the true number of VTE events, with a substantial proportion of limited clinical relevance.
Methamphetamine‐associated cardiomyopathy: an addiction medicine perspective
Authors: Somma Vincenzo , Osekowski Michael , Paratz Elizabeth , Bonomo Yvonne
Published: January 2023

Methamphetamine‐associated cardiomyopathy (MaCM) is an increasingly recognised serious complication from methamphetamine (MA) use. It is characterised as the development of otherwise unexplained heart failure in the context of MA use. MaCM predominantly affects a young and vulnerable population with high morbidity and mortality. It is the second leading cause of mortality in patients with MA use disorder (MUD). Our understanding of MaCM pathogenesis is based on observational cohorts and autopsy studies. Currently, the treatment of MaCM is predicated on abstinence. Medical therapies offer some benefit to a minority of patients; however, without abstinence, medical therapies are often ineffective. Abstinence is difficult for most patients to achieve; all clinicians require an understanding of MaCM and how to educate patients on the risks of ongoing use. Where available, referral to addiction medicine specialists to assist with treatment of MUD is recommended. This review aims to: (i) explain the proposed pathologic mechanisms of MaCM; (ii) summarise recent recommendations of the screening and treatment of MaCM; and (iii) highlight the role of addiction medicine in the management of patient with MaCM.
Social issues, crisis, and care coordination: First responders experience responding to people affected by methamphetamines
Authors: Jones Rikki , Jackson Debra , Woods Cindy , Usher Kim
Published: January 2023

Methamphetamines remain a public health problem due to the extensive burden of illicit drug use on society. Callout events in the pre‐hospital environment related to methamphetamine use is increasing. In addition, there has been an increase in reported mental health side effects and breakdown in relationships and social networks. Descriptive phenomenology research design was undertaken and data analysed using thematic analysis. Semi‐structured interviews were utilized to collect data exploring the experience of first responders attending callouts to people affected by methamphetamines in the pre‐hospital environment. Interviews included paramedics (8) and police officers (10) from across Australia. Overall, participants reported responding to people affected by methamphetamines was complex in nature. Complexity was affected by extensive social circumstances, people presenting in states of crisis, lack of coordinated approach, and unsuitable care environments. The social impact of methamphetamine addiction is extensive. Staff working as first responders have an opportunity to help reduce the social impact and crises, referring people to follow‐up care and drug and alcohol support services. Further research is needed to determine if a standardized approach, between first responders and EDs, should be developed to help streamlines services and improve how the individual services respond as a group to people affected by substances.
Recycling of bone ash from animal wastes and by‐products in the production of novel cements
Authors: Duvallet Tristana Y. , Jewell Robert B.
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this research is to demonstrate the utilization of animal wastes and by‐products in the production of low‐energy and low‐CO2 clinkers and cements in order to preserve natural resources, such as limestone, while reducing CO2 emissions released from the cement manufacturing process and reducing potential health risk to the world population (such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or other health issues…). Pure calcium sulfoaluminate clinker was produced with calcium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and calcium sulfate hemihydrate; followed by additional clinkers produced from substituting calcium hydroxide with bone ash (from 0 to 100% of the calcium hydroxide replaced). The final clinkers contained various amounts of ye'elimite, calcium aluminate phases, as well as tricalcium phosphate, depending on the firing temperature. Finally, some preliminary results on the hydration process and compressive strength are provided for the production of these binders.
The serial mediating effects of social isolation and resilience on the relationship between fear of dementia and insomnia in community‐dwelling older adults
Authors: Dai Huohuo , Qin Juanjuan , Huang Rong , Sun Duoduo , Zhang Qing
Published: January 2023

Aims

This study aims to explore the correlation between fear of dementia and insomnia among community‐dwelling older adults and to examine the mediating roles of social isolation and resilience on this correlation.

Methods

A total of 259 community‐dwelling older adults from Mianyang, China were recruited from June 2021 to August 2021 using convenience sampling. The Chinese versions of the Fear of Dementia Scale (FODS), Lubben Social Network Scale (LSNS‐6), 25‐item Connor‐Davidson Resilience Scale (CD‐RISC‐25) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were used to collect specific, study‐related information from the subjects. Correlations between variables of interest were examined by Pearson analysis, and mediation analysis was conducted to explore the direct, indirect and total effects of the fear of dementia on insomnia vis‐à‐vis social isolation and resilience.

Results

Results from 259 older adults indicated that fear of dementia and insomnia in older adults are positively correlated, that social isolation and resilience mediate the relationship between them, and that social isolation and resilience also had a statistically significant serial mediating effect.

Conclusion

Fear of dementia is positively related to insomnia in older community‐dwelling Chinese adults, but resilience and social support may buffer the negative impact of fear of dementia and improve sleep quality.

Impact

Fear of dementia is becoming more and more common in community‐dwelling older adults in China, and this emotional response to ageing and disease anxiety may be to blame for the poor sleep quality of some ageing populations. However, social support and resilience may buffer the negative impact of fear of dementia. The findings in this study indicate a need for well‐trained community nurses and other health practitioners to implement targeted strategies to reduce insomnia among older adults with fear of dementia. These strategies should strengthen resilience as well as social support.
Association between triglyceride‐glucose index and arterial stiffness reflected by carotid pulse‐wave velocity in stage 1 hypertension and individuals with normal/elevated blood pressure
Authors: Wang Yonghuai , Wang Shan , Pan Xiaofang , Meng Pingping , Yang Jun , Zhang Yuhua , Liu Minghui , Li Mingxing , Gao Jie , Wu Qiang , Feng Ningna , Wu Yiyun , Zhang Jianxing , Xue Li , Chang Fengling , Chen Li , Sun Yixue , Yuan Jianjun , Yang Shunshi , Xue Hongyuan , Ma Lingzhi , Jiang Xuezhong , Li Jing , Yin Lixue , Ren Weidong , Ma Chunyan ,   the Study Investigators
Published: January 2023

Evidence of the triglyceride‐glucose (TyG) index as an independent predictor of arterial stiffness in stage 1 hypertension patients is scarce. This study aimed to explore the association between TyG index and arterial stiffness in this population. A total of 1041 individuals from 32 centers with normal/elevated blood pressure (BP, <130/80 mmHg; 345 men (33%); median age, 37 years) and 585 stage 1 hypertension patients (BP ≥130/80 and <140/90 mmHg; 305 men (52%); median age, 47 years) were prospectively enrolled. Arterial stiffness was determined by measuring carotid ultrafast pulse‐wave velocity (ufPWV). TyG index was calculated as ln (fasting triglyceride (TG) × fasting blood glucose/2). Patients with a higher TyG index tended to have higher ufPWV. The TyG index was positively associated with ufPWV at the end of systole in stage 1 hypertension patients after adjusting for confounding factors (β for per unit .48), and restricted cubic spline analysis confirmed a linear association. Subgroup analyses in terms of age, sex, and body mass index yielded similar results. However, no significant relationship was observed between the TyG index and ufPWV in the population with normal/elevated BP. The fully adjusted β between ufPWV and the TyG index was higher than the TG/high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, TG, and pulse pressure. In conclusion, patients with a higher TyG index had greater arterial stiffness, and the TyG index independently and positively correlated with arterial stiffness in stage 1 hypertension patients. The TyG index may provide a simple and reliable marker to monitor arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients.
Association of self‐stigma with glycated hemoglobin: A single‐center, cross‐sectional study of adults with type 1 diabetes in Japan
Authors: Hamano Shoko , Onishi Yukiko , Yoshida Yoko , Takao Toshiko , Tahara Tazu , Kikuchi Takako , Kobori Toshiko , Kubota Tetsuya , Iwamoto Masahiko , Kasuga Masato
Published: January 2023

Aims/Introduction

There has been an increase in research on diabetes‐related stigma and its association with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) over the past years. However, little is known about the association of self‐stigma with HbA1c in persons with type 1 diabetes. This study aims to examine the association between self‐stigma and HbA1c in Japanese people with type 1 diabetes.

Materials and Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at a clinic in Tokyo. Questionnaires using nine items from the Japanese version of the Self‐Stigma Scale was distributed to outpatients with type 1 diabetes, aged ≥18 years. We excluded outpatients with serious mental disorder, those who required urgent medical treatment or received hemodialysis. Adjusted linear regression analyses tested the association between the score of the 9‐item Self‐Stigma Scale and HbA1c.

Results

Questionnaires were distributed to 166 eligible participants. A total of 109 participants were included in the final analysis after excluding participants with incomplete answers and laboratory data. After adjusting for age, sex, employment status, body mass index, duration of diabetes and insulin secretion, there was a significant positive association between self‐stigma and HbA1c (β = 0.05, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.08).

Conclusions

This cross‐sectional study showed a significant association between self‐stigma and HbA1c in persons with type 1 diabetes. Addressing self‐stigma might be as equally essential as measuring HbA1c in evaluating glycemic outcome among individuals with type 1 diabetes.
Real‐life effectiveness and safety of guselkumab in patients with psoriasis who have an inadequate response to ustekinumab: A 104‐week multicenter retrospective study – IL PSO (ITALIAN LANDSCAPE PSORIASIS)
Authors: Gargiulo Luigi , Ibba Luciano , Malagoli Piergiorgio , Angileri Rosa Giuseppa , Bardazzi Federico , Bernardini Nicoletta , Burlando Martina , Carrera Carlo G. , Chiricozzi Andrea , Dapavo Paolo , Dini Valentina , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Gaiani Francesca Maria , Galluzzo Marco , Giofré Claudia , Guarneri Claudio , Loconsole Francesco , Malara Giovanna , Marcelli Lorenzo , Megna Matteo , Piaserico Stefano , Talamonti Marina , Costanzo Antonio , Narcisi Alessandra
Published: January 2023

Background

Guselkumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds selectively to the p19 subunit of interleukin‐23, which has shown efficacy in patients with previous incomplete response to ustekinumab in the NAVIGATE clinical trial. [Correction added on [28‐02‐2023], after first online publication: ‘humanized monoclonal antibody’ has been changed to 'fully human monoclonal antibody' in the preceding sentence.]

Objectives

We conducted a 104‐week multicenter retrospective study to assess the effectiveness and safety of guselkumab in patients affected by plaque psoriasis with an inadequate response to ustekinumab in a real‐life setting.

Methods

Our retrospective study included 233 adults affected by moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis, enrolled in 14 different Italian centres, and treated with guselkumab after failing therapy with ustekinumab. Patient characteristics and PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score at each visit (baseline, weeks 16, 52 and 104) were recorded. The percentages of patients achieving 75%, 90% and 100% (PASI 75, PASI 90 and PASI 100) improvement in PASI, compared with baseline, were registered.

Results

At week 52, PASI 75 was reached by 89.88% of patients, PASI 90 by 71.43%, PASI 100 by 58.83% and absolute PASI ≤2 by 90.48%. At week 104, similar effectiveness results were observed. Compared to the NAVIGATE trial, we observed higher rates of PASI 75/90/100. Patients with the involvement of difficult‐to‐treat areas were significantly less likely to achieve PASI90 and PASI100 at week 16. Obese patients had significantly lower rates of PASI75 and PASI ≤2 at week 52. At week 104, comparable responses were observed among all patients' subgroups, regardless of BMI status, involvement of difficult‐to‐treat areas, presence of cardiometabolic comorbidities and concomitant psoriatic arthritis. No significant safety findings were reported throughout the study.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the efficacy of guselkumab in patients with inadequate response to ustekinumab for plaque psoriasis in ‘real‐life’ clinical practice is comparable with NAVIGATE study with higher percentages of patients achieving PASI90 and PASI100 at weeks 16, 52 and 104.
Efficacy and safety of etrasimod, a sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor modulator, in adults with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis (ADVISE)
Authors: Silverberg Jonathan I. , Bissonnette Robert , Kircik Leon , Murrell Dedee F. , Selfridge Andrew , Liu Kris , Ahluwalia Gurpreet , Guttman‐Yassky Emma
Published: January 2023

Background

Etrasimod is an oral, selective, sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor1,4,5modulator in development for immune‐mediated inflammatory disorders. Efficacy and safety of orally administered S1P receptor modulation in atopic dermatitis (AD) have not yet been examined.

Objective

To assess the efficacy and safety of etrasimod monotherapy in adults with moderate‐to‐severe AD.

Methods

In this phase 2, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial, participants (≥18 years) with moderate‐to‐severe AD defined as baseline validated Investigator's Global Assessment (vIGA‐AD) score ≥ 3, Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score ≥ 16, and body surface area involvement ≥10% were randomized 1:1:1 to once‐daily oral etrasimod 1 mg, 2 mg or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was percent change in EASI score from baseline at week 12, assessed in the Full Analysis Set (all randomized participants). Key secondary outcomes were achievement of a vIGA‐AD score of 0 or 1 with a ≥2‐point improvement from baseline and EASI‐75 response at Week 12. Safety was assessed during the double‐blind period.

Results

One hundred and forty participants were randomized to etrasimod 2 mg (n = 47), 1 mg (n = 47) or placebo (n = 46). At Week 12, percent change in EASI score was −57.2% in the etrasimod 2‐mg group versus −48.4% in the placebo group (p = 0.18). A significantly greater proportion of participants receiving etrasimod 2 mg achieved vIGA‐AD scores of 0 or 1 with a ≥2‐point improvement at Week 12 versus placebo (29.8% vs. 13.0%;p = 0.045); however, EASI‐75 response was not statistically significant versus placebo. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (AEs) occurred in 59.6%, 40.4% and 47.8% of participants receiving etrasimod 2 mg, 1 mg and placebo, respectively. There were no serious AEs or deaths.

Conclusions

The primary outcome was not met, although efficacy was observed for etrasimod 2 mg on several clinician‐ and patient‐assessed measures, and both 1‐ and 2‐mg doses were well tolerated, warranting further clinical investigation in AD.
Expert consensus on the systemic treatment of atopic dermatitis in special populations
Authors: Adam D. N. , Gooderham M. J. , Beecker J. R. , Hong C. H. , Jack C. S. , Jain V. , Lansang P. , Lynde C. W. , Papp K. A. , Prajapati V. H. , Turchin I. , Yeung J.
Published: January 2023

With the increasing number of options for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis, clinicians need guidance on a practical approach to selecting a systemic agent for specific patient populations. We convened an expert panel consisting of 12 members to conduct a literature review and summarize relevant data related to six scenarios of clinical interest: comorbid asthma, ocular surface disease, history of cancer, past and ongoing infections of interest (including herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis), pregnancy and lactation, and the elderly. We performed a literature search and examined each clinical scenario with respect to three major categories of available systemic agents: traditional systemics (azathioprine, cyclosporine A, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil), Janus kinase inhibitors (abrocitinib, baricitinib, and upadacitinib), and biologics (dupilumab, lebrikizumab, and tralokinumab). The expert panel and steering committee met virtually to review the data and discuss the drafted consensus statements. A modified Delphi process was used to arrive at a set of final consensus statements related to the systemic treatment of AD in these specific patient populations. To provide practical guidance on the choice of systemic therapy for atopic dermatitis in these six topics of clinical interest, 25 expert consensus statements and a summary of the supporting data are presented herein.
Salmon‐lice as a potential threat to anadromous Arctic charr populations
Authors: Grenier Gabrielle , Rochat Eloïse C. , Muladal Rune , Jensen Hallvard , Knudsen Rune
Published: January 2023

Salmon‐lice have the potential to change the behaviour and growth of their salmonid host species. Here, the baseline infection levels of salmon‐lice of post‐smolts (n = 815) and veteran migrants (n = 875) of sea‐run Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus Linnaeus, 1758) were monitored over two successive years in a sub‐Arctic Norwegian fjord without farming of salmonids. All Arctic charr were collected after the sea‐migration period from a trap placed in the river, ascending to their overwintering freshwater habitat (Lake Laksvatn). The sea‐lice infection showed a stable infection across the 2 years while increasing through the migration period and with the size of the wild sea‐run Arctic charr. The prevalence of sea‐lice infection was intermediate to high, and the intensities of sea‐lice infections observed were generally modest, although some individuals had high infections. The relatively high infection of salmon‐lice highlights the potential detrimental effects these parasites can have at both the individual and population level of such endangered sub‐Arctic life‐history strategies. A comparative study should be performed in fjords with aquaculture activity as focal points for salmon‐lice, to investigate the impact farming have on sea‐run Arctic charr populations.
Applications of light emitting diodes and their mechanism for food preservation
Authors: Ramesh Tamanna , Hariram Upasana , Srimagal A. , Sahu Jatindra K.
Published: January 2023

In the food sector, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have a wide range of uses, including improving food production, extending the shelf life of perishables, and—most importantly—improving food safety. LEDs are semiconductor devices that, depending on the kind of conductors they are built of, emit light by electroluminescence across a range of wavelength spectrums. Compared to conventional light sources (ultraviolet [UV] light), LEDs are more energy‐efficient, eco‐friendly and have a lesser environmental impact. Moreover, LEDs have relatively lower warm up time and heat emissions, higher life expectancy and no mercury deposits compared to UV light. This article provides a comprehensive review of the food safety applications of LED showcasing its potential in microbial inactivation of clear, liquid food products as a potential alternative to traditional UV‐light technology. Optical properties (cloudiness, penetration depth of light) of the foods and geometrical design of the LED treatment chamber (distance from light source and intensity, wavelength of the light) play a key role in maximizing LED's efficacy for microbial inactivation. Additionally, a combination of wavelengths and photosensitizing compounds have proven to be synergistic in the application of this technology. There is a need for further research on the effect of LEDs on the safety and quality attributes of food and beverage products to continue with the feasibility assessment required to determine its potential at industrial scale.
Association between mandatory cognitive testing for license renewal and motor vehicle collisions and road injuries
Authors: Inada Haruhiko , Tomio Jun , Nakahara Shinji , Ichikawa Masao
Published: January 2023

Background

We examined whether the policy amendment from March 2017 for a cognitive screening test for older drivers at driver's license renewal was associated with the decreased risk of motor vehicle collisions for drivers and the increased risk of injuries for pedestrians and cyclists among older people.

Methods

This was a controlled interrupted time‐series study. We used police‐reported data on the number of collisions as drivers and injuries as pedestrians and cyclists among people aged 70 years or older in Japan from July 2012 to December 2019. As the outcome measures, we used the ratio of the monthly number of collisions per population among drivers of three groups aged 75 years or older (75–79, 80–84, and ≥85 years), who were targeted or exposed by the policy, to that among drivers aged 70 to 74 years, who were unaffected or unexposed by the policy and would serve as controls. The ratio of pedestrian and cyclist injuries was also calculated, as previous studies have shown a concomitant increase in these injuries after the introduction of cognitive screening for driver's licenses.

Results

During the study period, there were 602,885 collisions as drivers and 196,889 injuries as pedestrians and cyclists among people aged 70 years or older. After the policy amendment in March 2017, collisions decreased among male drivers, and injuries increased among some age subgroups in both sexes. Cumulative estimated changes in the numbers of collisions and injuries from March 2017 to December 2019 were −3670 (95% confidence interval: −5125, −2104) and 959 (95% confidence interval: 24, 1834), respectively.

Conclusions

Following the policy amendment, there was a decrease in motor vehicle collisions as drivers and an increase in road injuries as pedestrians and cyclists among older people.
Oxytocin antagonist does not disrupt rabbit maternal behavior despite binding to brain oxytocin receptors
Authors: Jiménez Angeles , Jiménez Pedro , Inoue Kiyoshi , Young Larry J. , González‐Mariscal Gabriela
Published: January 2023

We explored a possible role of oxytocin (OXT) for the onset and maintenance of rabbit maternal behavior by: (a) confirming that a selective oxytocin receptor antagonist (OTA) widely used in rodents selectively binds to OXT receptors (OXTR) in the rabbit brain and (b) determining the effect of daily intracerebroventricular (icv) injections of OTA to primiparous and multiparous does from gestation day 29 to lactation day 3. OTA efficiently displaced the high affinity, selective oxytocin receptor (OXTR) radioligand, 125I‐labeled ornithine vasotocin analog (125I‐OVTA), but was much less effective at displacing the selective V1a vasopressin receptor radioligand, 125I‐labeled linear vasopressin, thus showing high affinity and selectivity of OTA for rabbit OXTR as in rodents. Further, ICV OTA injections did not modify nest‐building, latency to enter the nest box, time spent nursing or the amount of milk produced, relative to vehicle‐injected does. The percentage of mothers suckling the litter was also similar between both groups, regardless of parity. Together, our results do not support a role of OXT for the initiation or maintenance of rabbit maternal behavior. Future studies are warranted to determine if OXT participates in fine‐tuning additional aspects of the maternal ethogram, for example, circadian periodicity of nursing and nest defense.
Behavioral regulation relies on interacting forces and predictive models
Authors: Read Stephen J. , Miller Lynn C.
Published: January 2023

Objective

We discuss how our recent neural network model of personality and motivation can explain many aspects of the regulation of behavior.

Method

Contrary to approaches that focus on a goal‐corrected, set‐point, and discrepancy‐reducing mechanism, we argue that many aspects of regulation can be understood in terms of two other mechanisms. First, many aspects of the stability and coherence of personality, as well as the dynamics of personality, can be understood in terms of the interaction of forces within organized motivational systems, and their interaction with features of the environment and interoceptive states, that identify an individual's current needs. This has been described as a settling point or equilibrium of forces model, rather than a set‐point architecture. Second, regulation has been shown to depend also on the use of predictive models of the world, either learned or innate. Such models can be thought of as feedforward models, in contrast to the feedback models characteristic of set‐point, goal‐corrected systems.

Results and Conclusions

We describe a neural network model of these processes that simulates the behavior over time and situations of an individual and shows how important regulatory processes can operate through a process of interactive forces and predictive models of the world.
Food insecurity and consumption of cariogenic foods in mothers and their two‐year‐old children in Appalachia
Authors: Bhaumik Deesha , Wright Casey D. , Marshall Teresa A. , Neiswanger Katherine , McNeil Daniel W. , Jones Andrew D. , Shaffer John R. , Marazita Mary L. , Foxman Betsy
Published: January 2023

Objectives

To describe the association between household food insecurity and intake of cariogenic foods that increase risk of dental caries.

Methods

Cross‐sectional analysis of 842 mothers in Appalachia and their children participating in the Center for Oral Health Research Cohort 2 between 2011 and 2017 when their children were ~ 24 months of age. Mothers completed a telephone interview regarding cariogenic food consumption and food insecurity. Associations between food insecurity and daily food intake were adjusted for education, income, state residence, and daily snacking.

Results

After adjustment for household income, state residence, daily snacking, and maternal education, mothers from moderately/severely food insecure households drank on average ½ more sugar‐sweetened beverage servings per day (p = 0.005) and children drank almost 1/3 servings more (p = 0.006). Further, mothers and children from moderately/severely food insecure households had lower, but not statistically significant, daily average consumption of vegetables (mothers: 1/5 less of a vegetable serving per day, children: ~1/10 less) and fruits (mothers: 1/5 less of a fruit serving per day, children: ~ 1/10 les) and elevated consumption of sweets (mothers: ~ 1/25 more sweet servings per day, children: ~ 2/25 more); differences based on state residence were noted.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is associated with higher consumption of foods that increase risk of dental caries, but this association is modified by maternal education, income, and state residence. Food insecurity, and its socioeconomic determinants, should be considered when designing and implementing interventions to prevent dental caries.
A novel non‐invasive model for the prediction of advanced liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients with NAFLD
Authors: Wang Jian , Huang Rui , Liu Jiacheng , Lai Ruimin , Liu Yilin , Zhu Chuanwu , Qiu Yuanwang , He Zebao , Yin Shengxia , Chen Yuxin , Yan Xiaomin , Ding Weimao , Zheng Qi , Li Jie , Wu Chao
Published: January 2023

There are still lack of non‐invasive models to evaluate liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to establish a predictive model for advanced fibrosis in these patients. A total of 504 treatment‐naive CHB patients with NAFLD who underwent liver biopsy were enrolled and randomly divided into a training set (n = 336) and a validation set (n = 168). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to compare predicting accuracy for the different models. One hundred fifty‐six patients (31.0%) had advanced fibrosis. In the training set, platelet, prothrombin time, type 2 diabetes, HBeAg positivity and globulin were significantly associated with advanced fibrosis by multivariable analysis. A predictive model namely PPDHG for advanced fibrosis was developed based on these parameters. The areas under the ROC curve (AUROC) of PPDHG with an optimal cut‐off value of −0.980 in predicting advanced fibrosis was 0.817 (95% confidence interval 0.772 to 0.862), with a sensitivity of 81.82% and a specificity of 66.81%. The predicting accuracy of PPDHG for advanced fibrosis was significantly superior to AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis‐4 score (FIB‐4) and NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). Further analysis revealed that the AUROC of PPDHG remained significantly higher than FIB‐4 and NFS indexes, while it was comparable with APRI for predicting advanced fibrosis in the validation set. PPDHG had a better predicting performance than established models for advanced fibrosis in CHB patients with NAFLD. The application of PPDHG can reduce the necessary for liver biopsy in these patients.