bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the care of term babies at risk of hypoglycaemia: A microsystem approach
Authors: Vimalesvaran Sunitha , Kokotsis Vasilis , Akhtar Fauzia , Chetcuti‐Ganado Claudia
Published: January 2021

Aim

Neonatal hypoglycaemia is a common problem, often requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our aim was to reduce term admissions to NICU for hypoglycaemia by 50% over 4 years.

Methods

Inborn term babies from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2018 were included. Using quality‐improvement methodology, we designed interventions based on human factors to incorporate best practice recommendations for babies at‐risk of hypoglycaemia. This included standardisation of local guidelines, introduction of educational programmes to reiterate changes to practice and a multidisciplinary steering group to review term admissions to better understand the cause of failure of the maternal–neonatal pathway. The outcome measures were the number of term babies admitted to NICU for hypoglycaemia and the proportion of these babies not requiring intravenous (IV) dextrose. Run charts were used to monitor hypoglycaemia admissions and the impact of each intervention.

Results

There was an overall reduction in the number of term babies admitted to NICU for hypoglycaemia from 36 babies in 2014 (baseline) to 5 babies in 2018. The percentage of babies admitted to the neonatal unit who did not require IV dextrose decreased from 22/36 (61%) in 2014 to 0/5 (0%) in 2018. Admissions from the delivery suite decreased from 21/36 (58%) to 1/5 (20%). There were no adverse outcomes observed in the period before or after the intervention.

Conclusions

We demonstrate a simple, cost‐effective quality improvement project using fundamental human factors principles. This initiative successfully reduced the number of term admissions for hypoglycaemia over 4 years.
Trends in rates and inequalities in paediatric admissions for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in Victoria, Australia (2003 to 2013)
Authors: Goldfeld Sharon , Paton Kate , Lei Shaoke , Perera Prescilla , Hiscock Harriet
Published: January 2021

Aim

To examine 10‐year trends and inequalities in paediatric admission rates for acute and chronic Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) in Victoria, Australia.

Methods

Secondary data analysis of the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset of children aged 0–17 years and 11 months admitted with a principal diagnosis of acute ACSCs: gastroenteritis/dehydration, dental conditions and urinary tract infections (UTIs) or chronic ACSCs: asthma and diabetic ketoacidosis, from 2003 to 2013. Main outcome measure was trends in paediatric hospital admission rates for ACSCs (per 1000 population).

Results

Over the 10 years, hospital admission rates remained consistently high for asthma and dental conditions. Children from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas were more likely to be admitted for all acute conditions over time. Dental conditions were the only ACSC associated with increased rates of admissions in regional areas.

Conclusions

Inequalities in paediatric hospital admissions exist for acute conditions and have not changed from 2003 to 2013; disadvantaged Victorian children were more likely to be admitted to hospital at each time point. More equitable access to medical and dental care is needed. Primary care (medical and dental) should be a critical platform to address socio‐economic differences and effectively prevent avoidable hospital admissions in children.
Sleep and emotion processing in paediatric posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot investigation
Authors: Jones Stephanie , Castelnovo Anna , Riedner Brady , Flaherty Bethany , Prehn‐Kristensen Alexander , Benca Ruth , Tononi Giulio , Herringa Ryan
Published: January 2021

Emotion processing abnormalities and sleep pathology are central to the phenomenology of paediatric posttraumatic stress disorder, and sleep disturbance has been linked to the development, maintenance and severity of the disorder. Given emerging evidence indicating a role for sleep in emotional brain function, it has been proposed that dysfunctional processing of emotional experiences during sleep may play a significant role in affective disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder. Here we sought to examine the relationship between sleep and emotion processing in typically developing youth, and youth with a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder . We use high‐density electroencephalogram to compare baseline sleep with sleep following performance on a task designed to assess both memory for and reactivity to negative and neutral imagery in 10 youths with posttraumatic stress disorder, and 10 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐traumatized typically developing youths. Subjective ratings of arousal to negative imagery (ΔArousal = post‐sleep minus pre‐sleep arousal ratings) remain unchanged in youth with posttraumatic stress disorder following sleep (mean increase 0.15, CI −0.28 to +0.58), but decreased in TD youth (mean decrease −1.0, 95% CI −1.44 to −0.58). ΔArousal, or affective habituation, was negatively correlated with global change in slow‐wave activity power (ρ = −0.58, p = .008). When considered topographically, the correlation between Δslow‐wave activity power and affective habituation was most significant in a frontal cluster of 27 electrodes (Spearman, ρ = −0.51, p = .021). Our results highlight the importance of slow‐wave sleep for adaptive emotional processing in youth, and have implications for symptom persistence in paediatric posttraumatic stress disorder. Impairments in slow‐wave activity may represent a modifiable risk factor in paediatric posttraumatic stress disorder.
Effects of fat content on the textural and in vivo buccal breakdown properties of soy yogurt
Authors: Shen Zhuang , Liu Zhen , Rui Xin , Chen Xiaohong , Jiang Mei , Dong Mingsheng
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of fat content on the textural and in vivo buccal breakdown properties of soy yogurt (SY) at different pH (5.4, 5.0, and 4.6). The microbial analysis, textural and rheological properties, and interfacial protein composition of all the samples were monitored. Microbial results suggested that the increased fat content in SY‐5.0 and SY‐4.6 resulted in significantly high viable cell counts of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Textural studies demonstrated that the presence of a low fat content (1–3%) significantly reduced the hardness, springiness, and gumminess of the sample, but this effect was negligible with the addition of fat content (4–5%). The apparent viscosity and thixotropy of the SY‐4.6 sample increased as the fat content increased. in vivo buccal digestion showed that a high fat content (2–4%) reduced the number of chews and chewing durations, which might be correlated with high oil droplet release (%) after mastication.
Wound formation, wound size, and progression of wound healing after intratumoral treatment of mast cell tumors in dogs with tigilanol tiglate
Authors: Reddell Paul , De Ridder Thomas R. , Morton John M. , Jones Pamela D. , Campbell Justine E. , Brown Graham , Johannes Chad M. , Schmidt Peter F. , Gordon Victoria
Published: January 2021

Background

Tigilanol tiglate (TT) is a novel small molecule for intratumoral treatment of nonmetastatic mast cell tumors (MCTs) in dogs. In a randomized controlled clinical study, 75% of dogs that received a single TT treatment achieved complete resolution of the MCT by 28 days, with no recurrence in 93% of dogs at 84 days. Critical to TT's efficacy was the area of the wound (tissue deficit) after slough of the necrotic tumor relative to pretreatment tumor volume.

Objectives

To analyze data collected during the previous study to (a) describe wounds after slough of treated MCTs and (b) identify determinants of wound area and speed of wound healing.

Methods

Wound presence, condition, and area were determined from clinical records of 117 dogs over 84 days after a single intratumoral TT treatment.

Results

Tumor slough occurred 3 to 14 days after treatment, exposing granulation tissue in the wound bed. Wound area after tumor slough in general was related to pretreatment tumor volume, with maximal recorded wound area fully evident in 89% of dogs by day 7. In dogs achieving complete tumor resolution, all wounds were left to heal by secondary intention. Bandaging and other wound management interventions only were required in 5 dogs. Time to healing (ie, full re‐epithelialization of treatment site) depended on wound area and location on the body, with most wounds being fully healed between 28 and 42 days after treatment.

Conclusions

Wound area and healing after slough of TT‐treated tumors follow a consistent clinical pattern for most dogs.
Echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular‐arterial coupling in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
Authors: Osuga Tatsuyuki , Morita Tomoya , Sasaki Noboru , Morishita Keitaro , Ohta Hiroshi , Takiguchi Mitsuyoshi
Published: January 2021

Background

The effective arterial elastance (Ea) to left ventricular (LV) end‐systolic elastance (Ees) ratio (Ea/Ees) is an index of the interaction between LV and systemic arterial systems, left ventricular‐arterial coupling (VAC). The Ea is an index of total arterial load of the LV, whereas Ees is an index of LV systolic function. In humans, inappropriate VAC based on increased Ea/Ees estimated using echocardiography is associated with more advanced heart disease severity.

Hypothesis

Left ventricular‐arterial coupling assessed by echocardiographic estimation of Ea/Ees is associated with disease severity in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Animals

Ninety MMVD dogs and 61 healthy dogs.

Methods

Prospective cross‐sectional study. The MMVD dogs were classified into stages B1, B2, or C according to American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine guidelines. Effective arterial elastance was echocardiographically estimated using the formula: mean blood pressure/(forward stroke volume/body weight). End‐systolic elastance was echocardiographically estimated using the formula: mean blood pressure/(LV end‐systolic volume/body weight). The ratio Ea/Ees was calculated.

Results

The ratio Ea/Ees was higher in stage B2 dogs than in healthy dogs and dogs stage B1 (both P < .0001), and higher in stage C dogs than in healthy dogs and dogs in the other 2 stages (healthy vs C and B1 vs C, P < .0001; B2 vs C, P = .0005). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that Ea/Ees and the peak velocity of early diastolic transmitral flow to isovolumic relaxation time ratio were independent predictors of stage C among echocardiographic indices in MMVD dogs.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Inappropriate VAC assessed by echocardiographically estimated Ea/Ees is associated with advanced disease severity in dogs with MMVD.
A synthesis of life‐history traits, functional traits, and consequences of anthropogenic pressures on Madagascar’s threatened carnivorans, Eupleridae
Authors: Wampole Erin M. , Farris Zach J. , Gerber Brian D.
Published: January 2021

Madagascar’s native carnivorans are an endemic monophyletic group of eight extant species belonging to the family Eupleridae. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies seven of the species as threatened (Vulnerable or Endangered), as their populations are in decline due to intensifying anthropogenic pressures. However, little is known about these species’ ecology and population trends, precluding forecasts of extinction risk. Life‐history and functional traits govern species’ responses to environmental pressure and can be predictive of extinction risk. Incorporating relevant trait information can vastly improve risk assessments. Yet, information on the life‐history and functional traits of the Eupleridae has never been compiled into a single framework.

Our aims were to: 1) synthesise the current state of knowledge of the life‐history and functional traits of euplerid species, 2) review empirical evidence of the effects of anthropogenic pressures on species, and 3) identify knowledge gaps and future research needs.

We searched the published literature to compile life‐history and functional trait information and known effects of anthropogenic pressures for Eupleridae.

Our review indicates that Madagascar’s carnivorans have high‐risk life‐history and functional traits that increase their vulnerability to anthropogenic pressures. Publications reported negative effects on euplerids from habitat degradation and fragmentation, logging, non‐native carnivorans, disease, and hunting and retaliatory killings. However, our synthesis revealed significant knowledge gaps, especially in species’ life‐history traits and in the spatial variability in most traits. For most species, we currently do not have the robust data needed to assess trait‐based risk dynamics.

The culmination of reported traits, negative influence of ongoing anthropogenic pressures, and lack of robust metrics (e.g. population trends and trait variability) indicate that euplerids are at high risk, yet may reach the cusp of extinction without notice due to significant gaps in knowledge. Future research should prioritise filling gaps in knowledge of influential traits, evaluating anthropogenic pressures, and integrating trait information to improve risk assessments and extinction forecasts.
Genome‐wide variation in DNA methylation linked to developmental stage and chromosomal suppression of recombination in white‐throated sparrows
Authors: Sun Dan , Layman Thomas S. , Jeong Hyeonsoo , Chatterjee Paramita , Grogan Kathleen , Merritt Jennifer R. , Maney Donna L. , Yi Soojin V.
Published: January 2021

Much of our knowledge on regulatory impacts of DNA methylation has come from laboratory‐bred model organisms, which may not exhibit the full extent of variation found in wild populations. Here, we investigated naturally‐occurring variation in DNA methylation in a wild avian species, the white‐throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This species offers exceptional opportunities for studying the link between genetic differentiation and phenotypic traits because of a nonrecombining chromosome pair linked to both plumage and behavioural phenotypes. Using novel single‐nucleotide resolution methylation maps and gene expression data, we show that DNA methylation and the expression of DNA methyltransferases are significantly higher in adults than in nestlings. Genes for which DNA methylation varied between nestlings and adults were implicated in development and cell differentiation and were located throughout the genome. In contrast, differential methylation between plumage morphs was concentrated in the nonrecombining chromosome pair. Interestingly, a large number of CpGs on the nonrecombining chromosome, localized to transposable elements, have undergone dramatic loss of DNA methylation since the split of the ZAL2 and ZAL2m chromosomes. Changes in methylation predicted changes in gene expression for both chromosomes. In summary, we demonstrate changes in genome‐wide DNA methylation that are associated with development and with specific functional categories of genes in white‐throated sparrows. Moreover, we observe substantial DNA methylation reprogramming associated with the suppression of recombination, with implications for genome integrity and gene expression divergence. These results offer an unprecedented view of ongoing epigenetic reprogramming in a wild population.
Is a handful of genes responsible for the common starling invasion success?
Authors: Barbosa Soraia
Published: January 2021

Invasive species have the ability to colonize new habitats across distinct areas of the globe, rapidly adjusting to new biotic and abiotic conditions, and often experiencing little impact from the decrease in effective population size and genetic diversity. Still, as each invading population represents a subsample of the original native distribution, it is common to see variability in terms of the genetic makeup of invading populations and consequently differences in invasion success rates across their non‐native range (Blackburn et al., 2017). In a From the Cover article in this issue of Molecular Ecology, Stuart et al. (2020) used genotyping‐by‐sequencing to explore how landscape and environmental heterogeneity shaped the genetic population structure and adaptation of multiple invasions of the common starling in Australia, and compared it to the patterns observed in North America, examined in Hofmeister et al. (2019). Their results suggest that the common starling worldwide invasion has been driven by a handful of genes that allowed adaptation to extreme environmental conditions and might be the key for differences in invasion success.
Effectiveness of integrated care on delaying chronic kidney disease progression in rural communities of Thailand (ESCORT‐2) trials
Authors: Thanachayanont Teerawat , Chanpitakkul Methee , Hengtrakulvenit Jukkapong , Watcharakanon Podjanee , Wisansak Watcharapong , Tancharoensukjit Teerapong , Kaewsringam Phosri , Leesmidt Vinai , Pongpirul Krit , Lekagul Salyaveth , Tungsanga Kriang ,   ESCORT‐2 Research Team
Published: January 2021

Aim

We conducted a prospective cohort study to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated care model on delaying chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in routine clinical practice in rural primary care setting.

Methods

After enrolment, patients with stages 3 to 4 CKD patients from five district hospitals in a northern province of Thailand (400 km from Bangkok) received integrated care comprising hospital multidisciplinary care and home visits by community care teams. Clinical characteristics and biochemical data were collected at baseline and every 3‐month interval thereafter for 36 months. The primary outcome was the rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline.

Results

Nine hundred and fourteen stage −3 and − 4 CKD patients were enrolled. The mean age of our cohort was 62 years. Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) was the main cause of CKD (53%) whereas hypertension was the most common co‐morbidity (92%). The mean rate of eGFR decline was −0.92 mL/min/1.73 m2/year. The rate of eGFR decline among patients with DKD was about three times faster than patients without DKD. Patients with higher blood pressure, metabolic acidosis, proteinuria or anaemia had a faster rate of eGFR decline.

Conclusion

This integrated care model at the community level was effective in delaying CKD progression in routine clinical practice situation.
Factors that affect the duration of wearing disposable personal protective equipment by healthcare professionals in Wuhan during treatment of COVID‐19 patients: An epidemiological study
Authors: Li Fanglin , Jiang Tongtong , Shi Tieying , Liu Yongning , Liu Xiumei , Xu Guojun , Liu Yu , Shi Yajie
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study of healthcare workers who cared for COVID‐19 patients was to identify factors that affected the duration of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The results of this study will provide initial guidance to practicing clinicians and a foundation for further research on this topic. This cross‐sectional study examined 139 frontline healthcare professionals who worked at a single hospital in Wuhan, China, from March 16 to April 1, 2020. General and demographic data, physical and mental status, use of personal protective equipment, type of hospital work, and duration of wearing personal protective equipment were recorded. The mean duration of wearing personal protective equipment was 194.17 min (standard deviation: 3.71). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the duration of wearing personal protective equipment was significantly associated with the presence of a chronic disease, working hours when feeling discomfort, lack of patient cooperation and subsequent psychological pressure, prolonged continuous wearing of personal protective equipment, feeling anxious about physical strength, and the presence of fatigue when wearing personal protective equipment. These factors should be considered by practicing healthcare professionals and in future studies that examine the optimal duration of wearing personal protective equipment.
The endodermal passage cell – just another brick in the wall?
Authors: Holbein Julia , Shen Defeng , Andersen Tonni Grube
Published: January 2021

The endodermis surrounds and protects the vasculature partly by depositing hydrophobic suberin in the cell walls. Yet, some cells remain unsuberised. These historically termed ‘passage cells’ are assumed to provide a low‐resistance pathway to the xylem. Only recently have we started to gain molecular insights into these cells, which allow us to probe how roots coordinate communication with the environment across barriers with single‐cell precision. Increased understanding of root physiology at a high‐resolution is intriguing, as it is likely to provide us with new tools to improve overall plant health. With this in mind, we here provide a brief overview of passage cells, their presence across plant species, as well as a molecular update and future directions for passage cell‐related research.
Health‐related quality of life among oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients: An exploratory study
Authors: Binnal Almas , Rajesh Gururaghavendran , Prakash Saxena PU , Banerjee Sourjya , Denny Ceena , Tadakamadla Santosh Kumar
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To comprehensively explore the effect of several sociodemographic‐, patient‐ and tumour‐related factors on the health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.

Methodology

Patients diagnosed with oral and oropharyngeal cancers were included in the present cross‐sectional study. Information pertaining to various sociodemographic‐, patient‐ and tumour‐related factors was recorded. HRQoL was assessed using standard 12‐item Short Form Health Survey version 2 (SF12V2), and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) was assessed by Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP).

Results

A total of 108 patients participated in the present study. Results revealed that nodal metastasis, histological differentiation and pain were significant predictors of OHRQoL, while site, size, stage, histological differentiation and pain were significant predictors of HRQoL. Pain was the single most significant negative determinant of HRQoL that was associated with worst total OHIP (B = 2.01, β = 0.45, p < .0001), physical (B = −0.88, β = −0.21, p = .017) and mental (B = −1.00, β = −0.22, p = .016) component summary scores.

Conclusions

Number of sociodemographic‐, patient‐ and tumour‐related factors emerged as significant predictors of HRQoL and OHRQoL. Study results might help in formulating targeted treatment plan, optimising patient care and follow‐up.
Gluten‐free diet modulates inflammation in salivary glands and pancreatic islets
Authors: Haupt‐Jorgensen Martin , Groule Vibeke , Reibel Jesper , Buschard Karsten , Pedersen Anne Marie Lynge
Published: January 2021

Objectives

A lifelong gluten‐free (GF) diet ameliorates autoimmune diabetes in non‐obese diabetic (NOD) mice and most likely in humans. Besides diabetes, NOD mice develop focal sialadenitis, as seen in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). In humans, type 1 diabetes (T1D) is also linked to SS. Here, we investigated whether a lifelong GF diet influences the immune cell infiltration in the salivary glands and pancreatic islets in NOD mice.

Methods

NOD mice were fed a lifelong (i.e. 13 weeks) GF or gluten‐containing standard (STD) diet. Insulitis and sialadenitis were scored on H&E‐stained paraffin‐embedded sections of pancreas and submandibular glands. Immune cell specificity and distribution were investigated immunohistochemically.

Results

There were fewer CD68+ and CD4+ cells in submandibular gland areas with focal sialadenitis as well as reduced insulitis and fewer VEGFR2+ cells in pancreatic islets in mice on GF versus STD diet. The degree of sialadenitis was not significantly lower in GF mice, but sialadenitis and insulitis correlated strongly. Lung weight was lower in GF mice.

Conclusion

In NOD mice, a lifelong GF diet reduces infiltration of monocytes/macrophages and T cells in salivary glands and inflammation in pancreatic islets, possibly by reducing VEGFR2, indicating that the linked autoimmune diseases, T1D and SS, may be alleviated by a GF diet.
Three‐Portal Approach of Arthroscopy for Anterior Ankle Impingement Syndrome: A Propensity Score‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Wang Zeng‐liang , Cui Lei , Li Gui‐shi
Published: January 2021

Objective

To introduce a 3‐portal approach of arthroscopic for anterior ankle impingement syndrome and to compare this method with 2‐portal arthroscopy.

Methods

From July 2011 to April 2019, a total of 52 patients (30 females, 22 males) with anterior ankle impingement syndrome underwent surgery with 2‐portal approach (anterior medial and anterior lateral approach; N = 26) and modified 3‐portal approach (anterior medial, anterior lateral, and an accessory anterior median approach; N = 26) of arthroscopic were recruited retrospectively after we performed a propensity score‐matched analysis (PSMA). The mean age at operation time was 44.1 years (range from 22 years to 74 years) and the mean follow‐up duration was more than two years (range from 2 years to 9 years). Clinical outcomes of all patients were evaluated according to the range of motion (ROM, dorsal flex angle), the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society lesser metatarsophalangeal interphalangeal scale (AOFAS), the visual analogue scale (VAS), and the operation time before and after the surgery.

Results

During the follow‐up period, both two groups indicated significant improvement in these function scores. Clinical assessment showed that for the 2‐portal approach of arthroscopic the total average of AOFAS scores were significantly increased from preoperative 59.91 ± 5.281 points to postoperative 76.18 ± 1.471 points (P = 0.02), the VAS scores were significantly decreased from preoperative 7.64 ± 0.924 points to postoperative 4.18 ± 0.982 points (P = 0.04), and the dorsal flex angle was significantly increased from preoperative 12.27° ± 6.467° to postoperative 21.36° ± 3.931° at the last follow‐up (P = 0.035). However, for the 3‐portal approach of arthroscopic the total average of AOFAS scores were significantly increased from preoperative 48.64 ± 9.646 points to postoperative 79.18 ± 6.555 points (P = 0.015), the VAS scores were significantly decreased from preoperative 7.82 ± 0.751 points to postoperative 2.64 ± 1.629 points (P = 0.01), and the dorsal flex angle was significantly increased from preoperative 13.64° ± 7.775° to postoperative 20.45° ± 6.502° at the last follow‐up (P = 0.045). There were no significant differences among the dorsal flex angle, the AOFAS scores, and the VAS scores between the two groups at the last follow‐up (P > 0.05). Although the operation time of the 3‐portal approach of arthroscopic (74.82 ± 18.395 min) was longer than that of the 2‐portal approach of arthroscopic (92.55 ± 27.153 min), the difference was not significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Both the 2‐portal and the 3‐portal approach of arthroscopic provides almost the same satisfactory clinical outcomes for anterior ankle impingement syndrome, but we strongly suggest the 3‐portal approach of arthroscopic which can supply greater joint contact area to treat advanced impingement syndrome for a good result.
Clinical characteristics and management of clinically amyopathic juvenile dermatomyositis across four academic centers
Authors: Bradley Flora , Bayer Michelle L. , Co Dominic O. , Chiu Yvonne , Huber Adam M. , Ahmad Regina‐Celeste , Baris Hatice E. , Oberle Edward J. , Kim Susan
Published: January 2021

Background/Objectives

Clinically amyopathic juvenile dermatomyositis (CAJDM) is an uncommon but important subset of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis, characterized by pathognomonic cutaneous findings without clinically evident muscle weakness. With limited data available and lack of standardized management guidelines for CAJDM, we sought to describe common features, including early indicators that may be associated with progression of muscle disease, and review the course and treatment of these patients.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients with CAJDM was conducted at four North American academic centers between the years 2000 and 2015.

Results

Twenty‐nine patients were included, of whom 21 (72%) were female. After a median follow‐up of 4 years (IQR 1.8‐5.8 years), 5 of the 29 (17%) patients with CAJDM evolved into classic juvenile dermatomyositis. Median time to develop weakness was 12 months (IQR 8‐19 months) after diagnosis. The skin disease of CAJDM patients who did not develop weakness was often found to be recalcitrant with 58% of them requiring multiple systemic therapies to control their cutaneous disease.

Conclusion

These results highlight the need for long‐term monitoring for the development of myositis in CAJDM and for prospective studies on treatment of recalcitrant skin disease.
Comparative rna‐seq analysis of region‐specific miRNA expression in the epididymis of cattleyak
Authors: Zhao Wangsheng , Hussain Solangi Tajmal , Wu Yitao , Yang Xiankang , Xu Chuanfei , Wang Hongmei , Zheng Xuxin , Cai Xin , Zhu Jiangjiang
Published: January 2021

The epididymis is the site of post‐testicular sperm maturation, which constitutes the acquisition of sperm motility and the ability to recognize and fertilize oocytes. The role of miRNA in male reproductive system, including the control of different steps leading to proper fertilization such as gametogenesis, sperm maturation and maintenance of male fertility where the deletion of Dicer in mouse germ cells led to infertility, has been demonstrated. The identification of miRNA expression in a region‐specific manner will therefore provide valuable insight into the functional differences between the regions of the epididymis. In this study, we employed RNA‐seq technology to explore the expression pattern of miRNAs and establish some miRNAs of significant interest with regard to epididymal sperm maturation in the CY epididymis. We identified a total of 431 DE known miRNAs; 119, 185 and 127 DE miRNAs were detected for caput versus corpus, corpus versus cauda and caput versus cauda region pairs, respectively. Our results demonstrate region‐specific miRNA expression in the CY epididymis. The GO and KEGG enrichment for the predicted target genes indicated the functional values of miRNAs. Furthermore, we observed that the expression of miR‐200a was downregulated in the caput, compared with cauda. Since the family of miR‐200 has previously been suggested to contribute to the distinct physiological function of sperm maturation in epididymis of adult rat, we speculate that the downregulation of miR‐200a in CY caput epididymis may play an important role of sperm maturation in the epididymis of CY. Therefore, our findings may not only increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulated by the miRNA functions in region‐specific miRNA expression in the CY epididymis, it could provide a valuable information to understand the mechanism of male infertility of CY.
To bulk or not to bulk? Intense genetic differentiation of seed dormancy among Stipa lagascae (Poaceae) genotypes accessed and multiplied in arid Tunisia
Authors: Visser Marjolein , Beaugendre Amaury
Published: January 2021

Many ecological restoration projects involving wild dryland grasses work with bulk‐harvested seed, yet bulking may lead one to overlook and lose genetic variation that turns out to be crucial for restoration success, including specific dormancy breakdown requirements (conditional dormancy) and genetic variation in these. This article reports on the genetic variation of conditional seed dormancy of Stipa lagascae Roem. & Schult. (Poaceae), a winter‐growing bunch grass with high‐grazing value, native to the circum‐Mediterranean areas but threatened with extinction. This grass is a cleistogamous inbreeder whose population remnants exhibit a fine‐grained genetic structure in many ecological traits. Seed from different lineages was obtained at the end of a seed increase program that chose not to bulk seed during seed sourcing, seed increase, nor seed harvesting for final use. Over a period of 3 years, three germination trials were run with seed coming from 15 to 20 different seed lineages and harvested over different years in two related seed increase plots. Seed lineage was the single most important factor explaining differences in conditional dormancy. Seed weight did not add much to explain these differences. The singularity of behavior of each lineage was conserved over the different harvests. Young seed exhibits the strongest differentiation in conditional dormancy. To restore genetically diversified populations of this inbreeding grass, restoration practitioners should avoid to bulk seed during sourcing and seed increase, because unique seed lineages get easily lost unseen. However, seed for final use could be bulk harvested if seed is used when still conditionally dormant.
Financial dollarization of households and firms: How does it differ by level of economic development?
Authors: Corrales Juan‐Sebastian , Imam Patrick Amir
Published: January 2021

Using a newly compiled and comprehensive database from International Financial Statistics, and applying panel‐regression techniques, this paper documents the evolution of households’ and firms’ dollarization over the past decade and assesses its macroeconomic determinants. Households’ and firms’ dollarization have much in common. Structural factors are more relevant than macroeconomic stability. Regarding differences, deposit dollarization, better institutions and lower inflation are relevant for households but not firms, whereas the exchange rate movements seem to play a role only for firms, particularly in higher‐income countries. In terms of loan dollarization, financial deepening is a critical driver for households only.
Queer Vulnerability and Russian Poetry after the “Gay Propaganda” Law
Authors: UTKIN ROMAN
Published: January 2021

Since the passing of the so‐called “gay propaganda” law in 2013, queer life in Russia has been mediated primarily through narratives of violence and suffering. Yet this focus on violence, while undoubtedly important, highlights the strength of oppressive political structures and emphasizes Russian queer subjects' vulnerability and victimhood in ways that overlook strategies of queer resistance to the homophobic and heterosexist state. This article turns to contemporary Russian poetry and proposes a different framework for analyzing queer representation that draws on Judith Butler's recent theory of vulnerability as resistance and what I call queer vulnerability. Theoretically‐informed close readings of contemporary Russian poetry suggest that in the current environment of openly homophobic hostility in Russia, queer vulnerability is a discernable aesthetic sensibility that shapes poetic texts. These texts, in turn, challenge queer silencing, discursive powerlessness, and political pessimism. The study analyzes coming‐out poems, makes a case for queer civic poetry, and examines methods of constructing subjectivity in recent feminist poetry to show that the 2013 legislation prompted the development of a new sort of writing: one that embraces vulnerability in defiance of victimhood.
Mother's sense of coherence and dental characteristics in children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta: A paired study
Authors: Teixeira Suélen Alves , Santos Paula Carolina Mendes , Carneiro Túlio Canella Bezerra , Paiva Saul Martins , Valadares Eugênia Ribeiro , Borges‐Oliveira Ana Cristina
Published: January 2021

Background

The relevance of sense of coherence (SOC) is important to the wellbeing of parents, especially mothers of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI).

Objective

Determine whether the oral health status of children/adolescents with OI is associated with mother's SOC.

Materials and method

A paired cross‐sectional study was conducted with 37 children/adolescents with OI, 37 without OI, and their respective mothers. The children/adolescents were between two and 19 years of age, mean age 7.2 years, being 47 male and 27 female. The mothers completed Antonovsky's SOC questionnaire (SOC‐13), and the oral status of the children/adolescents was investigated. The following clinical conditions were evaluated: dentinogenesis imperfecta, malocclusion, gingivitis, and dental caries experience.

Results

The genetic condition of the children was significantly associated with mother's SOC (P < .001). Mothers of children with OI had lower SOC scores (mean: 35.6 [± 4.9]) than mothers of children without OI (mean: 38.5 [± 4.3]). In the group with OI, a low socioeconomic status was associated with lower mother's SOC scores (P = .004). In both groups, dental caries experience was associated with lower mother's SOC scores (P = .007). Most individuals with OI presented malocclusion (78.3%) and experience of dental caries (59.4%).

Conclusion

Having a child with OI influenced the sense of coherence of the mothers. Socioeconomic status and dental caries experience in children and adolescents with OI were associated with mother's SOC.
Serum NT‐proBNP levels are associated with cognitive functions in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Akkus Gulsum , Seyithanoglu Muhammed , Akkus Hadi , Ulu Sena , Ciftcioglu Muhammed , Erken Ertugrul , Altunoren Orcun , Gungor Ozkan
Published: January 2021

It has been demonstrated that NT‐proBNP and macrophage inhibitor cytokine‐1 (MIC‐1/GDF‐15) are associated with cognitive functions in patients without renal disease. In the present study, we examined the association of these two molecules with cognitive functions in hemodialysis patients for the first time in the literature. A total of 94 patients were enrolled. The Mini‐Mental Test and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MoCA) were applied for the purpose of measuring the cognitive functions. The NT‐proBNP and MIC‐1/GDF‐15 levels were examined with the ELISA. The mean age of the patients was 48 ± 12; 58 (61.7%) of them were male and 21.3% were diabetic. We found that in 77% of patients have impaired cognitive functions (MoCA total score <24). The NT‐proBNP level had a significant and negative correlation with the MoCA Test Delayed Recall and Total Score. When the patients were divided into two groups according to NT‐proBNP levels (above 10.500 and below), it was observed that the Mini‐Mental Test Record Memory, MoCA Test Delayed Recall, and MoCA test total scores were significantly different from each other. In the present study, we show, for the first time in the literature, that NT‐proBNP levels are associated with cognitive functions in dialysis patients.
Formation, dispersion and accumulation of terra rossa on the Cayman Islands
Authors: Jones Brian
Published: January 2021

Unconsolidated and lithified terra rossa fills surface depressions, joints, fractures and cavities throughout the karst landscapes on the Cayman Islands. The terra rossa is formed from kaolinite, halloysite, vermiculite, hydrotalcite, böhmite, gibbsite, goethite, hematite, anatase, quartz, calcite, dolomite, halite and X‐ray amorphous material. Locally, phosphate derived from bird guano and biofragments is present. Lithified terra rossa is characterized by numerous generations of fractures that are lined with clay and filled with multiple phases of calcite cement. There are no obvious geographic or stratigraphic differences between the terra rossa found on the three islands. A residual origin for the terra rossa is unlikely given that the Oligocene to Pleistocene limestone/dolostone bedrock contains <1% non‐carbonate material. Detrital sediments cannot be the source because none developed on these islands, given that they are surrounded by deep oceanic waters. The terra rossa probably originated largely from wind‐blown volcanic dust or Saharan dust. Various geochemical ratios and rare earth element profiles indicate that that the Cayman terra rossa has a strong affinity to Saharan dust that is frequently blown into the Caribbean region each year. The Cayman terra rossa is characterized by SiO2/Al2O3 ratios (<1.1) that are significantly lower than those associated with terra rossa on other islands, such as Jamaica and Barbados. The low SiO2/Al2O3 ratios of the Cayman terra rossa is due, at least in part, to the fact that quartz is rare to absent. X‐ray amorphous material is a common component in many of the Cayman samples. Although difficult to date precisely, the formation of terra rossa on the Cayman Islands appears to have been an ongoing process for at least the last 5 Myr. This time frame is consistent with the origin of the Sahara Desert that came into existence with aridification of North Africa about 5 Ma.
A new lack‐of‐fit test for quantile regression with censored data
Authors: Conde‐Amboage Mercedes , Van Keilegom Ingrid , González‐Manteiga Wenceslao
Published: January 2021

A new lack‐of‐fit test for quantile regression models will be presented for the case where the response variable is right‐censored. The test is based on the cumulative sum of residuals, and it extends the ideas of He and Zhu (2003) to censored quantile regression. It will be shown that the empirical process associated with the test statistic converges to a Gaussian process under the null hypothesis and is consistent. To approximate the critical values of the test, a bootstrap mechanism will be used. A simulation study will be carried out to study the performance of the new test in comparison with other tests available in the literature. Finally, a real data application will be presented to show the good properties of the new lack‐of‐fit test in practice.
Locally asymptotically efficient estimation for parametric PINAR(p) models
Authors: Sadoun Mohamed , Bentarzi Mohamed
Published: January 2021

This article focuses on the efficient estimation problem of an arbitrary‐order periodic integer‐valued autoregressive (PINAR(p)) model. Both the local asymptotic normality (LAN) property and the local asymptotic linearity property satisfied by the central sequence of the underlying model are established. Using these results, we construct efficient estimators for the parameters in a parametric framework. The consistency property of these efficient estimations is evaluated via an intensive simulation study. Moreover, the performances of these efficient estimations, over the conditional maximum likelihood (CML) and the conditional least squares (CLS) estimations, are also illustrated via an intensive simulation study and an application on real data set.
Measuring coarse grain deformation by digital image correlation
Authors: Silvani Claire , Réthoré Julien , Nicaise Sylvie
Published: January 2021

This work presents results from oedometric compression of coarse granular material. Coarse granular media exhibit significant deformations making it complicated to predict the settlement of structures. In this paper, a measurement technique was developed for the analysis of two‐dimensional (2‐D) images of a deforming coarse granular medium to investigate its deformation. This was achieved by realising grain‐based image correlation to measure the grain transformation in gravel with the use of a digital image correlation technique. The 2‐D displacement fields enable us to explore the behaviour of granular media at different scales: microscopic, mesoscopic and macroscopic scales. The mesoscopic scale is defined from branches that connect the centres of three neighbouring grains, using a Delaunay triangulation to account for an equivalent continuum media. Whereas the consistency of the macroscopic strain and the average mesoscopic strain is assessed, it is shown that a deviation from the normalised microscopic vertical displacement is an indicator of the heterogeneity of the mesoscopic strain field. The proposed mesoscopic analysis allows us to investigate these heterogeneities. Another important result is that even if the amplitude of the microscopic strain is small (approximately 100 times smaller) compared with the other strain measures, it confirms that the grains are not rigid and that their ultimate strain can be estimated using the proposed approach.
Donor‐derived herpes simplex virus hepatitis in a kidney transplant recipient and review of the literature
Authors: Zeidan Joseph H. , Casingal Vincent , Hippen Benjamin , Ahrens William , Lamm Kevin , Gerber David A. , Schmeltzer Paul A. , Gajurel Kiran
Published: January 2021

Donor‐derived (DD) herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is extremely uncommon but carries a high mortality rate. The diagnosis is challenging due to the non‐specific presentation and lack of clinical suspicion. We report a case of DDHSV hepatitis in a HSV2 pre‐transplant seronegative kidney recipient who received the organ from a HSV2 seropositive donor. The case is highlighted by a few unusual features, namely severe thrombocytopenia and the development of cutaneous, oral and esophageal HSV lesions several weeks after symptom onset while recovering on appropriate treatment. A review of nine proven and probable DDHSV hepatitis cases (including eight previously published ones) showed that fever is a common presenting feature while gastrointestinal symptoms and cutaneous manifestations are uncommon. The symptoms almost always occurred within 2 weeks of transplant. Six out of the nine DDHSV hepatitis patients, including five patients who were on appropriate treatment, died within a month after transplant.
Gene atlas of iron‐containing proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Przybyla‐Toscano Jonathan , Boussardon Clément , Law Simon R. , Rouhier Nicolas , Keech Olivier
Published: January 2021

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for the development and physiology of plants, owing to its presence in numerous proteins involved in central biological processes. Here, we established an exhaustive, manually curated inventory of genes encoding Fe‐containing proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana, and summarized their subcellular localization, spatiotemporal expression and evolutionary age. We have currently identified 1068 genes encoding potential Fe‐containing proteins, including 204 iron‐sulfur (Fe‐S) proteins, 446 haem proteins and 330 non‐Fe‐S/non‐haem Fe proteins (updates of this atlas are available at https://conf.arabidopsis.org/display/COM/Atlas+of+Fe+containing+proteins). A fourth class, containing 88 genes for which iron binding is uncertain, is indexed as ‘unclear’. The proteins are distributed in diverse subcellular compartments with strong differences per category. Interestingly, analysis of the gene age index showed that most genes were acquired early in plant evolutionary history and have progressively gained regulatory elements, to support the complex organ‐specific and development‐specific functions necessitated by the emergence of terrestrial plants. With this gene atlas, we provide a valuable and updateable tool for the research community that supports the characterization of the molecular actors and mechanisms important for Fe metabolism in plants. This will also help in selecting relevant targets for breeding or biotechnological approaches aiming at Fe biofortification in crops.