bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal relationship between osteoarthritis and comorbidities: a combined case control and cohort study in the UK primary care setting
Authors: Swain Subhashisa , Coupland Carol , Mallen Christian , Kuo Chang Fu , Sarmanova Aliya , Bierma-Zeinstra Sita M A , Englund Martin , Prieto-Alhambra Daniel , Doherty Michael , Zhang Weiya
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine the burden of comorbidities in OA and their temporal relationships in the UK.

Methods

The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD was used to identify people with incident OA and age, gender and practice matched non-OA controls from UK primary care. Controls were assigned the same index date as matched cases (date of OA diagnosis). Associations between OA and 49 individual comorbidities and multimorbidities (two or more comorbidities excluding OA) both before and after OA diagnosis were estimated, adjusting for covariates, using odds ratios (aORs) and hazard ratios (aHRs), respectively.

Results

During 1997–2017, we identified 221 807 incident OA cases and 221 807 matched controls. Of 49 comorbidities examined, 38 were associated with OA both prior to and following the diagnosis of OA and 2 (dementia and systemic lupus erythematosus) were associated with OA only following the diagnosis of OA. People with OA had a higher risk of developing heart failure [aHR 1.63 (95% CI 1.56, 1.71)], dementia [aHR 1.62 (95% CI 1.56, 1.68)], liver diseases [aHR 1.51 (95% CI 1.37, 1.67)], irritable bowel syndrome [aHR 1.51 (95% CI 1.45, 1.58)], gastrointestinal bleeding [aHR 1.49 (95% CI 1.39, 1.59)], 10 musculoskeletal conditions and 25 other conditions following OA diagnosis. The aOR for multimorbidity prior to the index date was 1.71 (95% CI 1.69, 1.74), whereas the aHR for multimorbidity after the index date was 1.29 (95% CI 1.28, 1.30).

Conclusions

People with OA are more likely to have other chronic conditions both before and after the OA diagnosis. Further study on shared aetiology and causality of these associations is needed.
Asymptomatic low-density Plasmodium infection during non-transmission season: a community-based cross-sectional study in two districts of North Eastern Region, India
Authors: Shankar Hari , Phookan Sobhan , Singh Mrigendra Pal , Bharti Ram Suresh , Ahmed Naseem , Yadav Chander Prakash , Sharma Guru Prasad , Singh Kuldeep , Kaur Harpreet , Mishra Neelima
Published: January 2021

Background

Malaria elimination requires targeting asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infections that largely remain undetected. Therefore we conducted a cross-sectional study to estimate the burden of asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infection using conventional and molecular diagnostics.

Methods

A total of 9118 participants, irrespective of age and sex, were screened for malaria using rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), microscopy and polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Among the participants, 707 presented with symptoms and 8411 without symptoms, of which Plasmodium was present in 15.6% (110/707) and 8.1% (681/8411), respectively. Low-density infection was found in 5.1% (145/2818) of participants and 8327 of 9118 were Plasmodium negative. Endemicity was propotional to asymptomatic infections (high endemicity 11.1% [404/3633] vs low endemicity 5.8% [277/4778]; odds ratio [OR] 2.0 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.7 to 2.4]) but inversely related to low-density infection (high endemicity 3.7% [57/1545] vs low endemicity 6.9% [88/1273]; OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.7]). The spleen rate in children 2–9 y of age was 17.9% (602/3368) and the enlarged spleen index was 1.6. Children between 8 and 14 y showed higher odds for asymptomatic (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.75 [95% CI 1.4 to 2.2]) and low-density infections (aOR 0.63 [95% CI 0.4 to 1.0)] than adults.

Conclusions

The prevalence of asymptomatic and low-density Plasmodium infection undermines the usefulness of standard diagnostic tools used by health agencies. This necessitates deploying molecular tools in areas where malaria microscopy/RDTs indicate a dearth of infection.
Development of a Model for In‐Vitro Comparative Absorption of Magnesium from Five Magnesium Sources Commonly Used as Dietary Supplements
Authors: Hartle Jennifer W , Morgan Shane , Poulsen Tanoya
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this study was to develop a model system to mimic the intestinal absorption of magnesium when administered as a dietary supplement and then test various magnesium sources in the system. Caco‐2 cells (ATCC HTB‐37) were seeded in welled culture plates and allowed to mature for 21 days. Maturity was determined by stable trans‐epithelial conductivity measurements. The model was developed by evaluating applicable concentration ranges and incubation times. The optimum conditions for application of magnesium to the cells were determined to be 50 mM concentrations for four hours to 6 well culture plates. Absorption of the cation was determined enzymatically from the fluid in the basal chamber. After determining the model, magnesium bisglycinate (MgBG), magnesium bisglycinate with magnesium oxide (MgBuf), dimagnesium malate (DMM), magnesium oxide (MgO), magnesium citrate (MgCit) and a negative control were tested for absorption. It was found that all magnesium treatments had significantly elevated Mg content in the basal side (p<0.05). Within the magnesium treatments MgBG had the highest absorption of Mg (p<0.05). MgBuf had a numerically lower absorption result than MgBG but was statistically similar. DMM was greater than MgCit and MgO (p<0.05) but was not statistically different from MgBG although it was numerically less. MgCit and MgO were numerically similar and statistically equivalent. MgCit and MgO also exhibited lower absorption than MgBG, MgBuf and DMM. It was concluded that this model is an effective method for determining intestinal absorption of magnesium compounds as would be found in dietary supplements. It was also concluded that magnesium bisglycinate had the greatest absorption and transport across the intestinal epithelial layer and may be the most bioavailable of the compounds tested.

Support or Funding Information

Albion
Macrophages are part of cause, not consequence, in PAH
Authors: Talati Megha , Gladson Santhi , Blackwell Tom , Shay Sheila , Hamid Rizwan , West James
Published: January 2021

Background

Although pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive cardiopulmonary disease, increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory cells play an equally important role in progression of this disease. PAH can thus be thought of as a failure to effectively resolve pulmonary vascular injury. Because PAH is mostly associated with mutations in the bone morphogenic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) or suppression of BMP pathway we sought test the hypothesis that BMPR2 mutant macrophages contribute to achieving a sustaining pulmonary vascular injury causing right ventricular dysfunction.

Methods

We used two mouse models: 1] the Rosa26‐rtTA2 3 X TetO7‐Bmpr2delx4 FVB/N mice (BMPR2 mutant mouse), in which mutant Bmpr2 is universally expressed; and 2] the LysM‐Cre X floxed BMPR2 X floxed eGFP monocyte lineage‐specific BMPR2 knockout mouse model (macrophage specific BMPR2 KO mouse), in which Bmpr2 expression is completely knockdown in cells of monocytic lineage. The BMPR2 mutant mice were given weekly liposomal clodronate injections for 4 weeks to eliminate macrophages. The macrophage specific BMPR2 KO mice underwent sugen‐hypoxia treatment for 3 weeks to cause pulmonary vascular injury.

Results

In the BMPR2 mutant mice, following transgene activation for 6 weeks there was significant increase (p<0.05) in right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) as compared to control mice. However, elimination of macrophages using clodronate normalized RVSP in BMPR2 mutant mice (p<0.05) suggesting that macrophages are required for development of BMPR2 related PAH in animal model of PAH with mutant Bmpr2. In the untreated macrophage specific BMPR2 KO mouse the RVSP were moderately increased compared to the control littermates. With sugen hypoxia treatment there was a significant increase in RVSP in both control and macrophage specific BMPR2 KO mouse. However, in the macrophage specific BMPR2 KO mouse there was significant increase in RVSP compared to control littermates. Further, in sugen‐hypoxia treated macrophage specific BMPR2 KO mouse lung, by immunofluorescence, we were able to demonstrate incorporation of macrophages in walls of pulmonary vessels suggesting that BMPR2 KO macrophages play a role in vascular remodeling of pulmonary vessels in animal model of PAH as a result of vascular injury.

Conclusion

Our results indicate that mutant BMPR2 macrophages are important in progression of disease in animal models PAH and suggest that macrophages are central in failure to resolve ongoing pulmonary vascular injury. Further studies are warranted to understand the mechanism behind failure to resolve vascular injury, which will be central to develop novel therapeutic interventions.

Support or Funding Information

2R01HL95797
Acute Effects of Cigarette on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase, Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 and Aortic Intima Media Thickness “Cigarette smoke–induced pro-atherogenic changes”
Authors: Ardiana Meity , Santoso Anwar , Hermawan Hanestya O. , Nugraha Ricardo A. , Pikir Budi S. , Suryawan I Gde Rurus
Published: January 2021

Background

Cigarette smoking could induce endothelial dysfunction and increase of circulating markers of inflammation by activation of monocytes. This can lead to the increased of intima media thickness (IMT) of entire blood vessel and result acceleration of atherosclerosis process. However, to our knowledge, little is known about the role of cigarette smoking in this atherosclerotic inflammatory process.

Objective

The aim of this study is to explore the link between cigarette smoking on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1).

Methods

An experimental study with post-test only controlled group design was used in this study. We used 18 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) randomly subdivided into 2 groups, group K (−) were given no tobacco smoking exposed, whereas group K (+) were exposed to 40 cigarettes smokes daily. After 28 days, samples were analyzed for e-NOS, VCAM-1 and aortic IMT.

Results

Our results indicate that tobacco smoke can enhance the expression of VCAM-1 on mouse cardiac vascular endothelial cell, resulting in decreased expression of e-NOS level and increased of aortic IMT. Linear regression model found that eNOS level negatively correlated wiith aortic IMT (r2= 0.584, β = −0.764,p< 0.001), whereas VCAM-1 expression did not correlate with aortic IMT (r2= 0.197,p= 0.065).

Conclusion

Low e-NOS level and high VCAM-1 level observed following after cigarette smoke exposure may increase aortic IMT.

Clinical significance

Increasing evidence suggests that cigarette smoke exposure could induce VCAM-1 (enhance pro-atherogenic property),and decreased of e-NOS level (anti-atherogenic depletion). Thus, cigarette smoke may represent a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis by increasing aortic IMT. This evidence is discussed herein.
Identifying long non-coding RNAs and characterizing their functional roles in swine mammary gland from colostrogenesis to lactogenesis
Authors: Shi Lijun , Zhang Longchao , Wang Ligang , Liu Xin , Gao Hongmei , Hou Xinhua , Yan Hua , Zhao Fuping , Cai Wentao , Wang Lixian
Published: January 2021

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important regulatory roles in milk biological processes. While, little is known about the identification and function of swine lncRNAs in response to mammary gland development. Here, we identified 286 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs in mammary gland at different stages from 14 days prior to (-) parturition to day 1 after (+) parturition using the published RNA-seq data. The expression pattern of these DE lncRNAs was examined, and most of lncRNAs expressions were strongly changed from Day −2 to Day +1. Functional annotation revealed that the DE lncRNAs were mainly involved in the mammary gland developing, lactation developing, milk composition metabolism and colostrum function. By performing the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified 7 out of 12 lncRNA-mRNA modules, including 35 lncRNAs and 319 mRNAs, which were highly associated with the mammary gland at Day −14, Day −2 and Day +1. Integrated analysis of the DE lncRNAs expression pattern examination, targets prediction, function annotation and WGCNA suggested that 18 lncRNAs (such as,XLOC_020627, ENSSSCG00000051193, XLOC_025150, ENSSSCG00000042618, XLOC_963181, ENSSSCG00000051701, XLOC_018030, andXLOC_025146) and their 20 target genes (such as,ACTN4, ADCY1, CSN3, SMO, CSN2, PRKAG2, FIBCD1, andGALNT7), were considered as the promising candidates for swine parturition and colostrum occurrence processes. Our research provided the insights into lncRNA profiles and their regulating mechanisms from colostrogenesis to lactogenesis in swine.
Development of a Semantically Related Emotional and Neutral Stimulus Set
Authors: Barnacle Gemma E. , Madan Christopher R. , Talmi Deborah
Published: January 2021

When measuring memory performance for emotional and neutral stimuli many studies are confounded by not controlling for differential semantic relatedness between stimulus sets. This could lead to the misattribution of the cause of an emotional enhancement of memory effect (EEM), because differential semantic relatedness also contributes to the EEM. Participants rated static visual emotional and neutral scenes on measures of arousal, valence, and semantic relatedness. These measures were used to create a novel stimulus set, which – in addition to demonstrating significant differences in measures of valence and arousal – also controlled for within-set semantic relatedness; thus resolving a crucial issue that has not previously been addressed in the use of visual emotional stimuli. As an added advantage, the stimulus set developed here are controlled for measures of objective visual complexity, also implicated as confounding to the investigation of memory. This article introduces a collection of emotional and neutral colour images which can be organised flexibly according to experimental requirements. These stimuli are made freely available for non-commercial use within the scientific community.
Effect of luminal surface structure of decellularized aorta on thrombus formation and cell behavior
Authors: Kobayashi Mako , Ohara Masako , Hashimoto Yoshihide , Nakamura Naoko , Fujisato Toshiya , Kimura Tsuyoshi , Kishida Akio
Published: January 2021

As the number of cardiovascular diseases increases, artificial heart valves and blood vessels have been developed. Although cardiovascular application using decellularized tissue have been studied, the mechanism of their functionality is still unknown. To find the important factor for preparing decellularized cardiovascular prothesis which shows goodin vivoperformance, the effect of luminal surface structure of decellularized aorta on thrombus formation and cell behavior was investigated. Various luminal surface structures of decellularized aorta were prepared by heating, drying and peeling. The luminal surface structure and collagen denaturation was evaluated by immunohistological staining, collagen hybridizing peptide (CHP) staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. To evaluate the effect of luminal surface structure of decellularized aorta on thrombus formation and cell behavior, blood clotting test and recellularization of endothelial cells and smooth muscular cells were performed. The results of blood clotting test showed that the closer the luminal surface structure is to native aorta, the higher the anti-coagulant property. From the result of cell seeding-test, it was suggested that vascular cells recognize the luminal surface structure and regulate adhesion, proliferation and functional expression. These results will provide important factor for preparing decellularized cardiovascular prothesis and lead to future development on decellularized cardiovascular applications.
Crystal structure of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) tolmetin sodium
Authors: Konovalova Irina S. , Kovalenko Sergiy M. , Kravchenko Dmitry V. , Chuev Vladimir P.
Published: January 2021

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, sodium 2-[1-methyl-5-(4-methylbenzoyl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]acetate dihydrate, Na+·C15H14NO3
−·2H2O, contains two sodium cations, two organic anions (A and B) and two water molecules. The coordination geometry around the sodium cations corresponds to a distorted octahedron. Each pair of sodium cations (A–A or B–B) is chelated by two bridging anions coordinated by the O atoms of the deprotonated carboxylic groups, and each sodium atom is coordinated by an O atom of a third anion, which connects pairs of sodium atoms, and a water molecule. As a result, a two-dimensional polymer is formed in the crystal. Hirshfeld surface analysis and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were used to analyze the intermolecular contacts present in the crystal.
Generation Y's dining out behavior
Authors: Okumus Bendegul , Ozturk Ahmet Bulent , Bilgihan Anil
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to examine the dining out activities of Gen Y's in the United States. In particular, it focuses on dining frequency, restaurant selection, restaurant segments and demographic features of Gen Yers.

Design/methodology/approach

Empirical data for this study were collected from 631 Gen Y's living in the United States.

Findings

The research findings reveal a nascent exploration of eating out preferences of the Gen Y population in an industrialized country in the food service context.

Research limitations/implications

Generation Y is a lucrative and growing customer group for the US foodservice industry. They dine out more frequently than the rest of the population and their dining out preferences are different from other cohorts.

Originality/value

This study offers some practical implications on Gen Y's dining out behavior for food service industry and restaurateurs.
Research note: important sub-streams for future visitor (trader) harassment research
Authors: Nicely Annmarie , Singh Shweta , Zhu Dan , Yoo Soyoung
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to ascertain the types of mitigation strategies used around the world to tackle the harassment of visitors by microtraders, the target population for these strategies, the number and ratio of countries/territories where used and to posit ideas on how the academy may assist in improving their effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 247 archives from 73 countries/territories were analysed using typological analysis, cross tabulation and frequency analysis.

Findings

Eight broad strategies were found. The top three most common were: policing, media/communication and legislative strategies. In total, 79 specific strategies were also named. The strategies targeted various groups at the destination. This paper then concluded with eight sub-streams for future trader harassment of visitor research being identified. They are research focussing on criminological, learning, research design and data analysis, environmental planning and design, work analysis and design, communication, technological and social infrastructure solutions.

Originality/value

This paper was the first to look at trader harassment mitigation strategies globally and the first to propose sub-streams in the area of visitor harassment research.
K-12 teachers’ remote teaching self-efficacy during the pandemic
Authors: Cardullo Victoria , Wang Chih-hsuan , Burton Megan , Dong Jianwei
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between factors in the extended technology acceptance model (TAM) model and teachers' self-efficacy in remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the authors sought to listen to classroom teachers as they expressed their unbiased views of the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of teaching remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was employed to examine the relationship between factors in the extended TAM model and teachers' self-efficacy in remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic using the 49-item questionnaire. A multiple regression analysis using a stepwise procedure was used to examine the relationship between factors in the extended TAM model and teachers' self-efficacy. Three open-ended questions closely examined remote teaching during the pandemic, related to challenges, advantages and disadvantages.

Findings

Qualitative findings challenges included Internet connection, lack of interaction and communication and challenges with motivation and student engagement. Disadvantages included teachers’ level of self-efficacy in using technology to teach, lack of support and resources to teach online and the struggle to motivate and engage students. Perceived benefits included flexibility for the teacher and differentiation, rich resources and a way to support learners when in-person instruction is not possible.

Research limitations/implications

The data suggest that instead, during COVID-19, many teachers were learning about the platforms simultaneously as they were instructing students.

Practical implications

To ensure quality remote instruction and that students receive the support to make instruction equitable, teachers need to perceive that their instructional technology needs are met to focus on teaching, learning and needs of their students.

Social implications

Teachers need opportunities to explore the platforms and to experience success in this environment before they are exposed to the high stakes of preparing students to meet K-12 standards.

Originality/value

Instructional delivery has not explored teacher motivational and instructional teaching self-efficacy related to satisfaction with the learning management system (LMS).
DOCA‐salt hypertension and the role of the OVLT‐sympathetic‐gut microbiome axis
Authors: Pestana‐Oliveira Nayara , Nahey David B. , Hartson Rochelle , Weber Bonnie , Johnson Timothy J. , Collister John P.
Published: January 2021

Hypertension is a multifaceted condition influenced by genetic and environmental factors and estimated to cause 9.4 million deaths globally every year. Recently, there has been growing interest in understanding the gut microbe‐host interaction in the maintenance of health or disease states, but relatively few studies have shown an association between the gut microbiome and specific types of hypertension. The deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)‐salt model of hypertension in rats is known to have a neurogenic component linked to increased sympathetic nervous system activity. As such, our lab has recently shown the hypertensive response in DOCA treated rats requires an intact organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), a central hypothalamic circumventricular organ. Currently, we hypothesize the OVLT mediates changes in the gut microbiome associated with concomitant hypertension. Herein, we report that the hypertensive effects of DOCA‐salt treatment were significantly attenuated throughout the 24‐hour day/night cycle in OLVT lesioned rats on days 1, 3, and 9‐21 of DOCA treatment compared with sham rats. Increased blood pressure (BP) in DOCA‐salt treated rats was accompanied by specific changes in regional gut microbial populations yet was mitigated and offset by lesion of the OVLT. Furthermore, bacterial populations in OVLT‐lesioned rats with attenuated hypertension more closely resembled those in normal control rats. We conclude that DOCA‐salt hypertension is associated with specific microbiome changes in the gut, and the attenuated hypertensive effects of DOCA‐salt in OVLT‐lesioned rats is mediated in part through counteracting changes in these bacterial populations.
The effect of a soft drink tax in Mexico: evidence from time‐series industry data
Authors: Arteaga Julio C. , Flores Daniel , Luna Edgar
Published: January 2021

We use a time‐series approach and industry data to estimate the effect on consumption of a relatively large excise tax on soft drinks imposed recently in Mexico. The tax caused a price increase of 12.8 per cent and reduced per‐capita consumption about 3.8 per cent. This effect is small in comparison with the effects that are suggested by most studies that estimate price elasticities using an almost ideal demand system and household survey data. Moreover, we find that the effects of the tax on consumption vary throughout the year. The effect of the tax tends to be higher in the winter but vanishes during the summer. We also find that the effect of the tax does not vary from one year to another.
THE IMPACT OF MEXICO’SLAND REFORM ON PERIURBAN HOUSING PRODUCTION: Neoliberal or Neocorporatist?
Authors: Varley Ann , Salazar Clara
Published: January 2021

Changes to Mexico's Constitution in the 1990s marked the end of agrarian reform and the Revolutionary land regime which had allowed beneficiaries to work but not to sell their land. New legislation allowed individual parcels of ejido land to be converted into private property. Many observers link this ‘privatization’ with a transformation of the periurban landscape resulting from private developers’ construction of mass ‘social housing’ developments: a classic example of neoliberal urbanism. We examine evidence for the Mexico City Metropolitan Area, finding that, although some developments do occupy former ejido land, developers mostly prefer private property, including former haciendas. Private sector interests are wary of the ejido for reasons that stem from its place in the corporatist political system that characterized twentieth‐century Mexico, and the patchwork of privatized individual parcels clashes with developers’ land acquisition strategies. Ejidatarios often prefer to retain control over their land, selling plots piecemeal. Our findings demonstrate the continuing significance of urban informality—on a scale that exceeds the development of ejido land for formal housing—and the intertwining of formal and informal. We interpret these interrelated processes of housing production as legacies of corporatism, underlining the significance of political influences on Latin American neoliberalism.
A novel deodorization method of edible oil by using ethanol steam at low temperature
Authors: Yang Chen , Wang Chengming , Wang Man , Qin Xiaoyu , Hao Guifang , Kang Mengjie , Hu Xizhou , Cheng Yunbin , Shen Jing
Published: January 2021

A novel deodorization method of edible oil by using ethanol steam at low‐temperature was developed. We compared the chemical changes in predeodorized rapeseed oil after anhydrous ethanol steam distillation at low temperature (140 to 220 °C) (L‐ESD) and conventional high‐temperature (250 °C) water‐steam distillation (H‐WSD) in terms of odor characteristics, physicochemical properties, micronutrient contents, antioxidant performance, and fatty acid composition. Compared with H‐WSD (250 °C for 60 min), L‐ESD at 180 °C for 80 to 100 min resulted in lower response values of electronic nose, free fatty acid (0.03% to 0.07%), and peroxide value (0.00 to 0.67 meq/kg), but higher retention of tocopherols (554.93 to 551.59 mg/kg), total phenols (43.36 to 45.42 mgGAE/kg), total carotenoids (65.78 to 67.85 mg/kg), phytosterols (585.80 to 596.53 mg/100 g), polyunsaturated fatty acids (27.95 to 28.01%), and better antioxidant properties. In conclusion, L‐ESD can mitigate the damage of oil and thus significantly improve the safety of vegetable oils with a high retention of nutrients compared with conventional H‐WSD.

Practical Application

The present study aimed to compare the chemical changes in predeodorized rapeseed oil after anhydrous ethanol steam distillation at low temperature (140 to 220 °C) (L‐ESD) and conventional high‐temperature (250 °C) water‐steam distillation (H‐WSD) in terms of odor characteristics, physicochemical properties, micronutrient contents, antioxidant performance, and fatty acid composition. Results indicated that this finding supplies a theoretical basis for developing a method with retaining more micronutrients and producing less harmful substances for the deodorization of rapeseed oil.
A chromosome‐level genome of the mud crab (Scylla paramamosain estampador) provides insights into the evolution of chemical and light perception in this crustacean
Authors: Zhao Ming , Wang Wei , Zhang Fengying , Ma Chunyan , Liu Zhiqiang , Yang Meidi‐Huang , Chen Wei , Li Qingsong , Cui Mingshu , Jiang Keji , Feng Chunlei , Li Jiong Tang , Ma Lingbo
Published: January 2021

Mud crabs, found throughout the Indo‐Pacific region, are coastal species that are important fisheries resources in many tropical and subtropical Asian countries. Here, we present a chromosome‐level genome assembly of a mud crab (Scylla paramamosain). The genome is 1.55 Gb (contig N50 191 kb) in length and encodes 17,821 proteins. The heterozygosity of the assembled genome was estimated to be 0.47%. Effective population size analysis suggested that an initial large population size of this species was maintained until 200 thousand years ago. The contraction of cuticle protein and opsin genes compared with Litopenaeus vannamei is assumed to be correlated with shell hardness and light perception ability, respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of three chemoreceptor gene families, the odorant receptor (OR), gustatory receptor (GR) and ionotropic receptor (IR) families, suggested that the mud crab has no OR genes and shows a contraction of GR genes and expansion of IR genes. The numbers of the three gene families were similar to those in three other decapods but different from those in two nondecapods and insects. In addition, IRs were more diversified in decapods than in nondecapod crustaceans, and most of the expanded IRs in the mud crab genome were clustered with the antennal IR clades. These findings suggested that IRs might exhibit more diverse functions in decapods than in nondecapods, which may compensate for the smaller number of GR genes. Decoding the S. paramamosain genome not only provides insight into the genetic changes underpinning ecological traits but also provides valuable information for improving the breeding and aquaculture of this species.
Excess mortality persists in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Lee Yeon‐Kyung , Ahn Ga Young , Lee Jiyoung , Shin Jung‐Min , Lee Tae‐Han , Park Dae Jin , Song Yeo‐Jin , Kim Mi Kyung , Bae Sang‐Cheol
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To investigate the causes and risk of death in a large cohort of Korean patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods

Patients in the Hanyang BAE (Bae registry of Autoimmune diseases for Epidemiology) RA cohort who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria were analyzed. A total of 2355 patients were enrolled from October 2001 to December 2015. Mortality data were derived by linking with data from the Korean National Statistical Office. Standardized mortality ratio was estimated by dividing observed deaths by expected number of deaths in the general population.

Results

Over the observation period, 225 deaths were reported. Total age‐ and sex‐adjusted standardized mortality ratio was 1.65 (95% confidence interval 1.44‐1.87). The most common cause of death was malignancy (40 cases; 17.8%), followed by respiratory disease (38 cases; 16.9%) and cardiovascular disease (32 cases; 14.2%). Mortality rate and causes of death differed according to year and age of RA onset. Compared with survivors, individuals who died were more likely to be male, smokers, diagnosed with RA at an older age, and to have long disease duration, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C‐reactive protein, higher rheumatoid factor positivity rate, more severe radiographic damage, and more comorbidities.

Conclusion

The mortality rate of patients with RA remains higher than that of the general population. Therefore, to improve the survival of patients with RA, attention should be paid to the management of comorbidities as well as to the RA itself.
Children’s and Adults’ Views of Punishment as a Path to Redemption
Authors: Dunlea James P. , Heiphetz Larisa
Published: January 2021

The current work investigated the extent to which children (N=171 6‐ to 8‐year‐olds) and adults (N = 94) view punishment as redemptive. In Study 1, children—but not adults—reported that “mean” individuals became “nicer” after one severe form of punishment (incarceration). Moreover, adults expected “nice” individuals’ moral character to worsen following punishment; however, we did not find that children expected such a change. Study 2 extended these findings by showing that children view “mean” individuals as becoming “nicer” following both severe (incarceration) and relatively minor (time‐out) punishments, suggesting that the pattern of results from Study 1 generalizes across punishment types. Together, these studies indicate that children—but not adults—may view punishment as a vehicle for redemption.
Bi‐allelic missense variant, p.Ser35Leu in EXOSC1 is associated with pontocerebellar hypoplasia
Authors: Somashekar Puneeth H. , Kaur Parneet , Stephen Joshi , Guleria Vishal Singh , Kadavigere Rajagopal , Girisha Katta Mohan , Bielas Stephanie , Upadhyai Priyanka , Shukla Anju
Published: January 2021

RNA exosome is a highly conserved ribonuclease complex essential for RNA processing and degradation. Bi‐allelic variants in exosome subunits EXOSC3, EXOSC8 and EXOSC9 have been reported to cause pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1B, type 1C and type 1D, respectively, while those in EXOSC2 cause short stature, hearing loss, retinitis pigmentosa and distinctive facies. We ascertained an 8‐months‐old male with developmental delay, microcephaly, subtle dysmorphism and hypotonia. Pontocerebellar hypoplasia and delayed myelination were noted on neuroimaging. A similarly affected elder sibling succumbed at the age of 4‐years 6‐months. Chromosomal microarray returned normal results. Exome sequencing revealed a homozygous missense variant, c.104C > T p.(Ser35Leu) in EXOSC1 (NM_016046.5) as the possible candidate. In silico mutagenesis revealed loss of a polar contact with neighboring Leu37 residue. Quantitative real‐time PCR indicated no appreciable differences in EXOSC1 transcript levels. Immunoblotting and blue native PAGE revealed reduction in the EXOSC1 protein levels and EXO9 complex in the proband, respectively. We herein report an individual with the bi‐allelic variant c.104C>T p.(Ser35Leu) in EXOSC1 and clinical features of pontocerebellar hypoplasia type 1. Immunoblotting and blue native PAGE provide evidence for the pathogenicity of the variant. Thus, we propose EXOSC1 as a novel candidate gene for pontocerebellar hypoplasia.
Prenatal methadone exposure and child developmental outcomes in 2‐year‐old children
Authors: Levine Terri A , Davie‐Gray Alison , Kim Hyun Min , Lee Samantha J , Woodward Lianne J
Published: January 2021

Aim

To examine the developmental outcomes of children born to opioid‐dependent females enrolled in methadone maintenance and identify pre‐ and postnatal factors that place these children at developmental risk.

Method

Ninety‐nine methadone‐maintained females and their 100 infants (42 females, 58 males, mean gestational age 38.8wks) were recruited during pregnancy/at birth and studied to age 2 years alongside a regionally representative comparison group of 108 non‐methadone‐maintained females and their 110 infants (62 females, 48 males, mean gestational age 39.2wks). Information about perinatal exposure was collected from medical records, maternal urine and infant meconium toxicological analysis, maternal interviews (at birth and at 18mo), and a home visit (at 18mo). At age 2 years, child neuromotor function, cognition, language, and emotional/behavioral dysregulation were assessed.

Results

Opioid‐exposed children achieved lower motor, cognitive, and language scores and had poorer self, emotional, eating/feeding, and sensory processing regulation than unexposed children. After adjustment for maternal education and other substance use in pregnancy, between‐group differences in child motor, cognitive, and overall dysregulation remained. Postnatal parental and family factors explained a further 40% to 52% of between‐group differences in child outcomes.

Interpretation

These children and families are extremely high‐risk and need antenatal and postnatal support. Children exposed to opioids during pregnancy have pervasive developmental difficulties by age 2 years. These challenges are largely explained by adverse pregnancy and socio‐environmental exposures, emphasizing the importance of specialist prenatal care and postnatal intervention support.

What this paper adds

Children born to opioid‐dependent females are at high risk of pervasive developmental problems.

These problems span a range of functional domains, including motor, cognitive, language, and behavioral/emotional dysregulation.

Contributing factors include other adverse pregnancy exposures, postnatal environmental factors, and the direct effects of prenatal opioid exposure.
ENMTools 1.0: an R package for comparative ecological biogeography
Authors: Warren Dan L. , Matzke Nicholas J. , Cardillo Marcel , Baumgartner John B. , Beaumont Linda J. , Turelli Michael , Glor Richard E. , Huron Nicholas A. , Simões Marianna , Iglesias Teresa L. , Piquet Julien C. , Dinnage Russell
Published: January 2021

The ENMTools software package was introduced in 2008 as a platform for making measurements on environmental niche models (ENMs, frequently referred to as species distribution models or SDMs), and for using those measurements in the context of newly developed Monte Carlo tests to evaluate hypotheses regarding niche evolution. Additional functionality was later added for model selection and simulation from ENMs, and the software package has been quite widely used. ENMTools was initially implemented as a Perl script, which was also compiled into an executable file for various platforms. However, the package had a number of significant limitations; it was only designed to fit models using Maxent, it relied on a specific Perl distribution to function, and its internal structure made it difficult to maintain and expand. Subsequently, the R programming language became the platform of choice for most ENM studies, making ENMTools less usable for many practitioners. Here we introduce a new R version of ENMTools that implements much of the functionality of its predecessor as well as numerous additions that simplify the construction, comparison and evaluation of niche models. These additions include new metrics for model fit, methods of measuring ENM overlap, and methods for testing evolutionary hypotheses. The new version of ENMTools is also designed to work within the expanding universe of R tools for ecological biogeography, and as such includes greatly simplified interfaces for analyses from several other R packages.
Evolutionary modification of gastrulation in Parvulastra exigua, an asterinid seastar with holobenthic lecithotrophic development
Authors: Byrne Maria , Selvakumaraswamy Paulina
Published: January 2021

Gastrulation is a fundamental morphogenetic process in development. In echinoderms with ancestral‐type development through feeding larvae, gastrulation involves radially symmetrical invagination of cells around the blastopore. Gastrulation in the seastar Parvulastra exigua, a species with non‐feeding larvae deviates from this pattern. Microinjection of cells with fluorescent lineage tracer dye revealed that early blastomeres contribute unequally to ectoderm and endoderm. In embryos injected at the two‐cell stage, asymmetry was evident in the fluorescence at the top of the archenteron and animal pole ectoderm. Archenteron elongation is driven by asymmetrical involution of cells with more cells crossing the blastopore on one side. Lineages of cells injected at the four‐cell stage also differed in allocation to endoderm and ectoderm. In embryos injected at the eight‐cell stage ectodermal and endodermal fates were evident reflecting the animal and vegetal fates determined by third cleavage as typical of echinoderms. Modification of gastrulation associated with evolution of development in P. exigua shows that this foundational morphogenetic process can be altered despite its importance for subsequent development. However, observations of slight asymmetry in the lineage fates of blastomeres in asterinids with planktotrophic development indicates that gastrulation by asymmetrical involution in P. exigua may be a hypertrophic elaboration of a pre‐existing state in ancestral‐type development. As for echinoids with lecithotrophic development, involution as a mechanism to contribute to archenteron elongation may be associated with the impact of extensive maternal nutritive reserves on the mechanics of cell movement and a novel innovation to facilitate early development of the adult rudiment.
Differential flight responses of two ambrosia beetles to ethanol as indicators of invasion biology: the case with Kuroshio shot hole borer (Euwallacea kuroshio) and fruit‐tree pinhole borer (Xyleborinus saxesenii)
Authors: Chen Yigen , Coleman Tom W. , Ranger Christopher M. , Seybold Steven J.
Published: January 2021

1. Host selection and utilization by ambrosia beetles ranges from healthy trees to weakened, dying, or dead trees. Compared to weakened trees, healthy trees emit little to no ethanol, which is stress‐induced and a by‐product of anaerobic respiration. The current study tested the attraction of two invasive ambrosia beetles, Kuroshio shot hole borer (KSHB), one member of the species complex,Euwallaceanr.fornicatus, and fruit‐tree pinhole borer,Xyleborinus saxesenii, to four treatments with or without ethanol.

2. GC–MS analyses confirmed the release of ethanol from the ethanol lure and boxelder log filled with ethanol and not from the other two treatments. Kuroshio shot hole borer was not preferentially attracted to any ethanol treatment, whereasX. saxeseniiresponded positively to the ethanol treatments. The boxelder bolt infused with ethanol was the most attractive treatment toX. saxesenii.

3. We propose that the differential behavioural responses of these two ambrosia beetles to ethanol correspond to their differential aggressiveness for attacking healthy trees: KSHB attacks healthy trees, whereasX. saxeseniiattacks weakened trees. The proposal is further substantiated by a literature survey on bark and ambrosia beetles from Scolytinae. The survey also indicates that the majority of bark and ambrosia beetles from Scolytinae respond positively to ethanol.

4. Although ethanol is widely used and is an effective lure for attraction of many bark and ambrosia beetles, findings from this current study and many others necessitate research and development of alternative lures for more aggressive species which are ecologically and economically more devastating.
The efficacy of Helicobacter pylori eradication in diabetics and its effect on glycemic control: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Xin , Cai Changzhou , Jin Qi , Chen Xueyang , Yu Chaohui
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims

Previous studies have revealed the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and diabetes mellitus, but conflicts still exist. The present study tried to investigate the underlying link between these two diseases by making comprehensive analyses of the impact of diabetes on H. pylori eradication and the influence of H. pylori eradication on diabetes.

Methods

We systematically searched relevant studies from PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase updated to April 23, 2020. Studies examining the association between H. pylori eradication and diabetes were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated for different results.

Results

Among the 2125 retrieved studies, 36 studies were included. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have higher risk of H. pylori eradication failure than the non‐diabetic one (OR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.82–3.70). Body mass index (BMI) was identified as a major factor affecting the efficacy of H. pylori eradication in diabetics, and better glycemic control was also found in eradication succeed patients (WMD: 0.51, 95% CI 0.20–0.81). Moreover, after eradication of H. pylori, improvement of HbA1c was proved (WMD = −0.33, 95% CI −0.65 to −0.02) in T2DM.

Conclusion

A higher risk of H. pylori eradication failure in T2DM was confirmed, and it was associated with BMI and glycemic control. Moreover, we also provided evidence that H. pylori eradication could improve glycemic control in patients with T2DM, which indirectly reflect the interaction between H. pylori and the diabetes.
Virologic analysis of tenofovir resistance in a patient with chronic hepatitis B experiencing viral breakthrough during combination treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and entecavir
Authors: Suzuki Fumitaka , Sezaki Hitomi , Hosaka Tetsuya , Suzuki Yoshiyuki , Fujiyama Shunichiro , Kawamura Yusuke , Akuta Norio , Kobayashi Masahiro , Saitoh Satoshi , Arase Yasuji , Ikeda Kenji , Kobayashi Mariko , Mineta Rie , Suzuki Yukiko , Kumada Hiromitsu
Published: January 2021

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is widely used to treat hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients worldwide. We previously reported a patient with CHB and cirrhosis in whom viral breakthrough occurred during combination therapy with TDF and entecavir (ETV) against ETV‐resistant virus. A recent Korean report showed that two patients with viral breakthrough during treatment with TDF‐containing regimens were found to carry five reverse transcriptase (rt) mutations ([rt]S106C[C], rtH126Y[Y], rtD134E[E], rtM204I/V, and rtL269I [I]), with the C, Y, E, and I mutations being associated with tenofovir resistance. We report the clinical course up to September 2019 in our patient, and compare the HBV mutations to those of the two Korean patients. Four mutations (rtS106C, rtD134N/S[N/S], rtM204V, and rtL269I) plus ETV resistance (rtL180M and rtS202G) existed when she developed viral breakthrough during ETV and TDF combination therapy in April 2013. Moreover, three mutations (rtS106C, rtD134N, and rtL269I) existed at baseline. Our patient's father is Korean. Considering these factors, patients with these three or four mutations (CYEI or CN/SI) at baseline could experience tenofovir resistance in addition to lamivudine (LAM) or ETV resistance. In addition, HBV DNA levels fluctuated during tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and LAM therapy in our patient, although treatment was switched from LAM, TDF, and ETV to LAM and TAF combination therapy in April 2018. In conclusion, three mutations (CN/SI) plus ETV resistance (rtL180M, rtM204V, and rtS202G) can cause tenofovir resistance. Long‐term therapy with tenofovir against ETV‐resistant virus has the potential to induce viral breakthrough and resistance, necessitating careful follow‐up.