bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Real‐world use of first‐generation antiandrogens: impact on patient outcomes and subsequent therapies in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Kelly Richard , Anton Angelyn , Wong Shirley , Shapiro Julia , Weickhardt Andrew , Azad Arun , Kwan Edmond Michael , Spain Lavinia , Muthusamy Arun , Torres Javier , Parente Phillip , Parnis Francis , Goh Jeffrey , Joshua Anthony , Pook David , Baenziger Olivia , Gibbs Peter , Tran Ben
Published: October 2021

Objectives

To investigate the recent real‐world use of first‐generation antiandrogens (FGAs) in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) using a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

Patients and Methods

The electronic CRPC Australian Database (ePAD) was interrogated to identify patients with mCRPC. Clinicopathological features, treatment and outcome data, stratified by FGA use, were retrieved and reported through descriptive statistics. Survival analyses were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and groups compared using log‐rank tests. Factors influencing overall survival (OS) were analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

We identified 634 patients with mCRPC, enrolled in ePAD between January 2016 and March 2019, including 322 (51%) who received FGAs. The median follow‐up was 21.9 months. Patients treated with FGAs were more likely to have lower International Society of Urological Pathologists (ISUP) grade group (P = 0.04), longer median time to CRPC (25.6 vs 16.0 months, P < 0.001), and were less likely to have visceral metastases (5.0% vs 11.2%, P = 0.005) or to have received upfront docetaxel (P < 0.001). A ≥50% reduction from pre‐treatment prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level (PSA50 response) during FGA treatment occurred in 119 (37%) patients and was independently associated with improved OS (hazard ratio 0.233, P < 0.001). Prior FGA treatment did not significantly influence the selection of subsequent life‐prolonging treatments for mCRPC or their PSA50 response rates.

Conclusion

In our present cohort, FGAs were commonly used in lower‐risk mCRPC and their use did not significantly influence the choice or duration of subsequent systemic therapy. A PSA50 response to FGA therapy was an independent favourable prognostic marker associated with improved OS.
Seawater intrusion: an appraisal of taxa at most risk and safe salinity levels
Authors: Venâncio Cátia , Ribeiro Rui , Lopes Isabel
Published: October 2021

Seawater intrusion into low‐lying coastal ecosystems carries environmental risks. Salinity levels at these coastal ecosystems may vary substantially, causing ecological effects from mortality to several sublethal endpoints, such as depression of rates of feeding, somatic growth, or reproduction. This review attempts to establish safe salinity levels for both terrestrial and freshwater temperate ecosystems by integrating data available in the literature. We have four specific objectives: (i) to identify the most sensitive ecological taxa to seawater intrusion; (ii) to establish maximum acceptable concentrations–environmental quality standards (MAC‐EQSs) for sea water (SW) from species sensitivity distributions (SSDs); (iii) to compile from the literature examples of saline intrusion [to be used as predicted environmental concentrations (PECs)] and to compute risk quotients for the temperate zone; and (iv) to assess whether sodium chloride (NaCl) is an appropriate surrogate for SW in ecological risk assessments by comparing SSD‐derived values for NaCl and SW and by comparing these with field data. Zooplankton, early life stages of amphibians and freshwater mussels were the most sensitive ecological receptors for the freshwater compartment, while soil invertebrates were the most sensitive ecological receptors for the terrestrial compartment. Hazard concentration 5% (HC5) values, defined as the concentration (herein measured as conductivity) that affects (causes lethal or sublethal effects) 5% of the species in a distribution, computed for SW were over 22 and 40 times lower than the conductivity of natural SW (≈ 52 mS/cm) for the freshwater and soil compartment, respectively. This sensitivity of both compartments means that small increments in salinity levels or small SW intrusions might represent severe risks for low‐lying coastal ecosystems. Furthermore, the proximity between HC5values for the soil and freshwater compartments suggests that salinized soils might represent an additional risk for nearby freshwater systems. This sensitivity was corroborated by the derivation of risk quotients using real saline intrusion examples (PECs) collected from the literature: risk was >1 in 34 out of 37 examples. By contrast, comparisons of HC5values obtained from SSDs in field surveys or mesocosm studies suggest that natural communities are more resilient to salinization than expected. Finally, NaCl was found to be slightly more toxic than SW, at both lethal and sublethal levels, and, thus, is suggested to be an acceptable surrogate for use in risk assessment.
Facilitating creativity: Shaping team processes
Authors: Wróbel Agata Ewa , Johansen Martin Kirk , Jørgensen Morten Schnack , Cash Philip
Published: October 2021

Facilitation is important to supporting teams in the creative process during innovation, yet our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of facilitation and its effects on team processes is still limited. This paper addresses this gap by investigating how group facilitation (both internal and external) shapes team processes with respect to teamwork, taskwork and affect. We use a case study approach coupled with protocol analysis to examine the effects of facilitator's actions on team processes as well as interactions between those processes. Our results reveal a distinct distribution of teamwork and taskwork between the facilitator and the team, such that the facilitator guides the teamwork while the team focuses on the taskwork, yet with dynamic shifting in responsibilities between facilitator and team across the duration of the process. Further, we show how a facilitator uses positive affect to mediate interactions between taskwork and teamwork during creative workshops. We contribute to theory on facilitation and team processes in innovation management by offering a novel description of how team processes are structured in a facilitated creativity setting and provide important practical implications for facilitators and managers.
Multi‐miRNA panel of tumor‐derived extracellular vesicles as promising diagnostic biomarkers of early‐stage breast cancer
Authors: Kim Min Woo , Park Sunyoung , Lee Hyojung , Gwak Hogyeong , Hyun Kyung‐A , Kim Jee Ye , Jung Hyo‐Il , Il Kim Seung
Published: October 2021

Extracellular vesicles (EV) have been emerging as potential biomarkers for disease monitoring. In particular, tumor‐derived EV (TDE) are known to carry oncogenic miRNA, so they can be used for diagnosis of early cancer by analyzing the expression levels of EV‐miRNA circulating in the blood. Here, using our novel microfluidic device, we rapidly and selectively isolate cancerous EV expressing breast cancer‐derived surface markers CD49f and EpCAM within 2 minutes. Based on seven candidates of miRNA nominated from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the expression levels of miRNA in TDE were validated in a total of 82 individuals, including 62 breast cancer patients and 20 healthy controls. Among seven candidates, four miRNAs (miR‐9, miR‐16, miR‐21, and miR‐429) from the EV were highly elevated in early‐stage breast cancer patients compared with healthy donors. The combination of significant miRNAs from specific EV has high sensitivities of 0.90, 0.86, 0.88, and 0.84 of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in each subtype (luminal A, luminal B, HER‐2, and triple‐negative) of early‐stage breast cancer. Our results suggest that the combination of four miRNA signatures of specific EV could serve as a sensitive and specific biomarker and enable early diagnosis of breast cancer using liquid biopsy.
SNAIL2 contributes to tumorigenicity and chemotherapy resistance in pancreatic cancer by regulating IGFBP2
Authors: Masuo Kenji , Chen Ru , Yogo Akitada , Sugiyama Aiko , Fukuda Akihisa , Masui Toshihiko , Uemoto Shinji , Seno Hiroshi , Takaishi Shigeo
Published: October 2021

Pancreatic cancer has an extremely poor prognosis because of its resistance to conventional therapies. Cancer stem cell (CSC)‐targeted therapy is considered a promising approach for this disease. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition‐inducing transcription factors (EMT‐TFs) contribute to CSC properties in some solid tumors; however, this mechanism has not been fully elucidated in pancreatic cancer. Zinc finger protein, SNAIL2 (also known as SLUG), is a member of the SNAIL superfamily of EMT‐TFs and is commonly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer. Patients exhibiting high SNAIL2 expression have a poor prognosis. In this study, we showed that the suppression of SNAIL2 expression using RNA interference decreased tumorigenicity in vitro (sphere formation assay) and in vivo (xenograft assay) in 2 pancreatic cancer cell lines, KLM1 and KMP5. In addition, SNAIL2 suppression resulted in increased sensitivity to gemcitabine and reduced the expression of CD44, a pancreatic CSC marker. Moreover, experiments on tumor spheroids established from surgically resected pancreatic cancer tissues yielded similar results. A microarray analysis revealed that the mechanism was mediated by insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) binding protein 2. These results indicate that IGFBP2 regulated by SNAIL2 may represent an effective therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.
Teens and Brexit in Northern Ireland: Merging rights with responsibilities
Authors: Leonard Madeleine
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the attitudes of teenagers (aged 13–16) from Belfast to the Brexit referendum through exploring their attitudes to the implications of Brexit for their future lives and how they explain why adults decided to vote leave. The paper illuminates how young people discussed the right to vote alongside responsibilities to non‐voters. In this way, teenagers demonstrated the often messy relationship that exists between citizenship rights and responsibilities and how this has differing generational implications.
Emerging roles of circular RNAs in neuropathic pain
Authors: Xu Derong , Ma Xuexiao , Sun Chong , Han Jialuo , Zhou Chuanli , Chan Matthew T. V. , Wu William K. K.
Published: October 2021

Neuropathic pain is a major type of chronic pain caused by the disease or injury of the somatosensory nervous system. It afflicts about 10% of the general population with a significant proportion of patients’ refractory to conventional medical treatment. This highlights the importance of a better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of neuropathic pain so as to drive the development of novel mechanism‐driven therapy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of non‐coding, regulatory RNAs that exhibit tissue‐ and disease‐specific expression. An increasing number of studies reported that circRNAs may play pivotal roles in the development of neuropathic pain. In this review, we first summarize circRNA expression profiling studies on neuropathic pain. We also highlight the molecular mechanisms of specific circRNAs (circHIPK3, circAnks1a, ciRS‐7, cZRANB1, circZNF609 and circ_0005075) that play key functional roles in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and discuss their potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic utilization in the clinical management of neuropathic pain.
More than meets the eye: decrypting diversity reveals hidden interaction specificity between frogs and frog‐biting midges
Authors: Virgo Jonas , Ufermann Lasse , Lampert Kathrin P. , Eltz Thomas
Published: October 2021

1. Female frog‐biting midges (Diptera: Corethrellidae) eavesdrop on the nocturnal mating calls of their blood hosts – male frogs. Available data suggest variable degrees of specialisation among Corethrella‐host associations, with limited information on the mechanisms involved in host selection and partitioning on a community level.

2. Our study provides a first comprehensive analysis of host interactions for a neotropical community of frog‐biting midges, based on both morphological and molecular genetic species delimitation. We used quantitative bipartite interaction networks to investigate host specificity among the midge‐frog community of La Gamba, Pacific lowland Costa Rica.

3. Midges that were collected directly from frog hosts (16 frog species) showed more pronounced levels of specificity (network‐wide degree of specialisation: H2′ = 0.3) than those caught with acoustic traps broadcasting their calls (12 frog species; H2′ = 0.08). This indicates that, despite a rather generalist acoustic foraging behaviour, frog‐biting midges discriminate between potential hosts by using additional close‐range recognition cues.

4. Based on COI and ITS2 sequencing data, we identified considerable levels of cryptic diversity within our five Corethrella morphotypes, with at least 17 distinct MOTUs of Corethrella in La Gamba. Including these MOTUs in bipartite network analyses produced higher resolution in species interactions, and increased estimators of network specificity (H2′ = 0.42).
BOSS: A new QoS aware blockchain assisted framework for secure and smart healthcare as a service
Authors: Singh Prabh Deep , Kaur Rajbir , Dhiman Gaurav , Bojja Giridhar Reddy
Published: October 2021

The latest epidemic of COVID‐19 has significantly impacted both human capital and the global economy, contributing to pandemics and severe global crises. Research into the creation and propagation of the disease is desperately needed. The Internet of Things, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence offer modern technology for real‐time processing for multiple applications such as healthcare applications, transport, traffic control, and so on blockchain is an evolving technology that will dramatically boost transaction protection in finance, supply chain, and other transaction networks. A stable and latency‐sensitive Quality of Service framework for COVID‐19 is the need of an hour. The purpose of this paper is to combine Fog computing and Artificial Intelligence with smart health to establish a reliable platform for early‐stage detection of COVID‐19 infection. A new ensemble‐based classifier is proposed to detect COVID‐19 patients. This research offers a blockchain platform to analyse how the unrelated cases of the COVID‐19 virus can be tracked and identified using peer‐to‐peer, time stamping, and the shared storage advantages of blockchain. In addition to growing patient loyalty, this would effectively enhance the consistency, flexibility, productivity, performance, and effectiveness of healthcare services. The idea of blockchain is used to establish security for the whole framework. Different implementations measure the efficiency of the suggested system. The performance of the proposed framework is evaluated in terms of delay, network usages, RAM usages, and energy consumption. On the other hand, the classifier is evaluated in terms of classifier accuracy, recall, precision, kappa static, and root mean square error. The result shows the performance of the proposed framework and classifier is always better than the traditional frameworks and classifiers.
Constellations of family closeness and adolescent friendship quality
Authors: Xia Mengya , Fosco Gregory M. , Bray Bethany C. , Grych John H.
Published: October 2021

Objective

This study aims to investigate the association between family relationship constellations and adolescent friendship quality in a more holistic way and disentangle gender differences on their associations.

Background

Family relationships are important for adolescent friendship, but little is known about how mother–adolescent and father–adolescent relationships work in the context of each other.

Method

Latent profile analysis was conducted in a sample of 326 ethnically diverse high schoolers (ages: 14–19 years; 60.4% female) to identify different combinations of mother– and father–adolescent closeness and their associations with friendships for adolescent boys and girls.

Results

Findings revealed five family relationship patterns: Cohesive (22%; high closeness with both parents), Alliance With Mother (9%; high mother–adolescent closeness only), Alliance With Father (10%; high father–adolescent closeness only), Disengaged (22%; low closeness with both parents), and Average (36%; average closeness with both parents) profiles. Adolescents in Cohesive families had high conflict resolution, and adolescents in alliance families had high companionship, whereas adolescents in Disengaged and Average families had the worst friendships. Adolescent boys in Disengaged families had the poorest friendships in all four domains when compared to adolescent girls in Disengaged families and adolescent boys in other family types; mother–adolescent closeness was important for adolescent boys' validation and intimate exchange. Adolescent girls' friendship quality generally was highest in Cohesive families.

Conclusion

Findings highlight the importance of simultaneously accounting for relationships with both parents from the family systems perspective.

Implications

Being close to at least one parent is critical for adolescent social–emotional and friendship development, and this is especially important for adolescent boys' friendship quality.
Sortilin regulates blood–brain barrier integrity
Authors: Toth Andrea E. , Helms Hans C. , Harazin Andras , Johnsen Kasper B. , Goldeman Charlotte , Burkhart Annette , Thomsen Maj S. , Kempen Paul J. , Klepe Adrián , Lipka Dora V. , Møller Peter L. , Andresen Thomas L. , Nyegaard Mette , Moos Torben , Brodin Birger , Nielsen Morten S.
Published: October 2021

Brain homeostasis depends on the existence of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Despite decades of research, the factors and signalling pathways for modulating and maintaining BBB integrity are not fully elucidated. Here, we characterise the expression and function of the multifunctional receptor, sortilin, in the cells of the BBB, in vivo and in vitro. We show that sortilin acts as an important regulatory protein of the BBB’s tightness. In rats lacking sortilin, the BBB was leaky, which correlated well with relocated distribution of the localisation of zonula occludens‐1, VE‐cadherin and β‐catenin junctional proteins. Furthermore, the absence of sortilin in brain endothelial cells resulted in decreased phosphorylation of Akt signalling protein and increased the level of phospho‐ERK1/2. As a putative result of MAPK/ERK pathway activity, the junctions between the brain endothelial cells were disintegrated and the integrity of the BBB became compromised. The identified barrier differences between wild‐type and Sort1−/− brain endothelial cells can pave the way for a better understanding of sortilin’s role in the healthy and diseased BBB.
Clinical and patient reported outcome in total ankle replacement compared to ankle fusion in end‐stage haemophilic arthropathy
Authors: Mussawy Haider , Kehrer Michael , Strahl André , Rolvien Tim , Hubert Jan , Beil Frank Timo , Wirtz Dieter Christian , Oldenburg Johannes , Holstein Katharina , Strauss Andreas Christian
Published: October 2021

Background

Ankle arthropathy is a frequent complication of haemophilia, reducing the patients’ quality of life. Despite intensive conservative therapy, end‐stage arthropathy requires surgical treatment, either by ankle fusion (AF) or total ankle replacement (TAR).

Methods

Eleven consecutive AFs were performed in nine patients and 11 TARs were implemented in 10 patients. Outcomes were assessed clinically by AOFAS score and radiologically by the Pettersson and Gilbert scores.

Results

The mean age of the patients in these groups were 35.7 years and 49.4 years, respectively. Of the 11 ankles that underwent fusion, 10 showed bony consolidation not later than 12 weeks after surgery, whereas one still showed non‐union after 6 months. VAS pain scores decreased significantly in both groups. Mean AOFAS scores also improved significantly, from 28.1 before to 80.3 after AF and from 21.5 before to 68.0 after ankle replacement. No perioperative complications were observed in either group. Late deep infection was observed in two patients that underwent TAR, which required removal of the implant.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that both AF and TAR result in significantly reduced pain in patients with haemophilia with end‐stage haemophilic arthropathy. While TAR is associated with a higher risk of deep infection and minimal persistent pain, it preserves the pre‐operative range of motion. AF on the other hand is associated with the risk of non‐union and a longer post‐operative recovery period but results in greater pain reduction.
Millipedes step up: species extend their upper elevational limit in the Alps in response to climate warming
Authors: Gilgado José D. , Rusterholz Hans‐Peter , Baur Bruno
Published: October 2021

Climate warming is predicted to result in changes to phenology, behaviour and abundance as well as poleward shifts or upslope displacements of the distribution of species. However, climate‐warming induced changes in distribution patterns have rarely been studied in ground‐dwelling arthropods.

We investigated changes in the upper elevational limit and relative abundance of 11 millipede species by repeating historical surveys from 1917 to 1919 in five valleys in the Swiss National Park (Eastern Alps) in 2018–2019.

We found that the upper elevational limit for 10 out of 11 millipede species has risen, on average, by 161 m in 100 years, accompanying a 1.5 °C rise in mean annual temperature in the investigation area. The 10 millipede species differed in upslope expansion of their distribution with the shift ranging from 50 m to 363 m.

The relative abundances of species (percentage of individuals sampled for each of the 11 millipede species) were very similar in 1917–1919 and 2018–2019. Only three species showed a change in frequency >6% over 100 years: two species had reduced abundances by 13.7% and 12.5% in the recent survey, while one species increased in abundance by 12.2%.

We provide evidence showing that soil‐dwelling millipede species with low dispersal ability have raised their upper distribution limit to higher elevation between the surveys done in 1917–1919 and 2018–2019. This upslope shift in distribution is most probably due to the significant increase in temperature recorded in the investigation area in past decades.
Motivators and barriers to oral hygiene self‐care among adolescents in Malaysia: A qualitative study
Authors: Ab Mumin Nazirah , Yusof Zamros Yuzadi Mohd , Marhazlinda Jamaludin , Obaidellah Unaizah
Published: October 2021

Objective

Having good oral hygiene self‐care, especially a regular toothbrushing habit will promote lifelong oral health. Therefore, understanding the factors that influence an adolescent's oral hygiene behaviour is important in developing effective oral health programmes for this age group. This study aimed to explore the motivators and barriers to adolescents' oral hygiene self‐care by exploring the perspectives of secondary school students from three government schools in the state of Selangor, Malaysia.

Methods

Focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with Form 2 (14‐years‐old) and Form 4 (16‐years‐old) students from selected secondary schools in Selangor using a semi‐structured topic guide until data saturation was reached. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework method analysis.

Results

A total of 10 FGDs were conducted involving 77 adolescents. The motivators for good oral hygiene self‐care were appearance, fear of oral disease, consequences of oral disease and past toothache experience. The barriers for oral hygiene self‐care were poor attitude towards oral care, lack of confidence in toothbrushing skills, snacking habit and the taste of toothpaste.

Conclusion

Understanding the motivators and barriers to adolescents' oral hygiene self‐care is the first step in designing effective oral health education messages. The findings from this study can be used as a guide for oral health education programmes and development of materials that fulfil the needs of the adolescent population.
Exploring developmental changes in infant anticipation and perceptual processing: EEG responses to tactile stimulation
Authors: Shen Guannan , Weiss Staci M. , Meltzoff Andrew N. , Allison Olivia N. , Marshall Peter J.
Published: October 2021

There is an increasing interest in alpha‐range rhythms in the electroencephalogram (EEG) in relation to perceptual and attentional processes. The infant mu rhythm has been extensively studied in the context of linkages between action observation and action production in infancy, but less is known about the mu rhythm in relation to cross‐modal processes involving somatosensation. We investigated differences in mu responses to cued vibrotactile stimulation of the hand in two age groups of infants: From 6 to 7 months and 13 to 14 months. We were also interested in anticipatory neural responses in the alpha frequency range prior to tactile stimulation. Tactile stimulation of infants’ left or right hand was preceded by an audiovisual cue signaling which hand would be stimulated. In response to the tactile stimulus, infants demonstrated significant mu desynchronization over the central areas contralateral to the hand stimulated, with higher mu peak frequency and greater contralateral mu desynchronization for older infants. Prior to the tactile stimulus, both age groups showed significant bilateral alpha desynchronization over frontocentral sites, which may be indicative of generalized anticipation of an upcoming stimulus. The findings highlight the potential of examining the sensorimotor mu rhythm in the context of infant attentional development.
Traditional partería providing women's health care in Latin America: A qualitative synthesis
Authors: Suárez‐Baquero Daniel F.M. , Champion Jane Dimmitt
Published: October 2021

Aim

To identify practices, beliefs, and potential gaps in knowledge about partería tradicional in Latin America.

Background/Introduction

Partería tradicional (lay midwifery) refers to ancestral knowledge used by laypersons, mainly parteras tradicionales (lay midwives), to provide health care to women and children. This care, initiated prior to formalization of health care continues today. Descriptions of the intergenerational oral transmission of partería tradicional knowledge and practice in Latin America exist without related synthesis.

Methods

Qualitative synthesis of the literature, including publications in Spanish, English, and Portuguese indexed in public databases over the previous 22 years concerning partería tradicional. Identification of categories, themes, and bias reporting via PRISMA processes, using the Thomas and Harden's approach and the Noblit and Hare's methodological recommendations.

Results

Partería tradicional themes included “ancestral knowledge,” “destiny and a spiritual calling,” “woma's heritage,” and “a means for providing health care.”

Discussion

Parteras tradicionales are key providers of health care for rural and urban marginalized communities. Limited knowledge and understanding of this practice impacts interactions between parteras tradicionales, midwives, and nurses. An interchange of knowledge is fundamental for care congruent with culture and the humanization of women's reproductive health.

Conclusions and policy implications

Communities with unresolved health care needs benefit via collaboration between formal health practices and partería tradicional. A compelling need for inquiry to preserve the art of partería tradicional exists internationally. Parteras tradicionales must be considered when formulating health care policy, thereby enhancing their historic role among the most vulnerable populations in Latin America: protecting, caring, and addressing health care needs.
The Oregon Child Absenteeism Due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS): Rationale, objectives, and design
Authors: Temte Jonathan L. , Barlow Shari , Goss Maureen , Temte Emily , Bell Cristalyne , He Cecilia , Hamer Caroline , Schemmel Amber , Maerz Bradley , Comp Lily , Arnold Mitchell , Breunig Kimberly , Clifford Sarah , Reisdorf Erik , Shult Peter , Wedig Mary , Haupt Thomas , Conway James , Gangnon Ronald , Fowlkes Ashley , Uzicanin Amra
Published: October 2021

Background

Influenza viruses pose significant disease burdens through seasonal outbreaks and unpredictable pandemics. Existing surveillance programs rely heavily on reporting of medically attended influenza (MAI). Continuously monitoring cause‐specific school absenteeism may identify local acceleration of seasonal influenza activity. The Oregon Child Absenteeism Due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS; Oregon, WI) implements daily school‐based monitoring of influenza‐like illness‐specific student absenteeism (a‐ILI) in kindergarten through Grade 12 schools and assesses this approach for early detection of accelerated influenza and other respiratory pathogen transmission in schools and surrounding communities.

Methods

Starting in September 2014, ORCHARDS combines automated reporting of daily absenteeism within six schools and home visits to school children with acute respiratory infection (ARI). Demographic, epidemiological, and symptom data are collected along with respiratory specimens. Specimens are tested for influenza and other respiratory viruses. Household members can opt into a supplementary household transmission study. Community comparisons are possible using a pre‐existing and highly effective influenza surveillance program, based on MAI at five family medicine clinics in the same geographical area.

Results

Over the first 5 years, a‐ILI occurred on 6634 (0.20%) of 3,260,461 student school days. Viral pathogens were detected in 64.5% of 1728 children with ARI who received a home visit. Influenza was the most commonly detected virus, noted in 23.3% of ill students.

Conclusion

ORCHARDS uses a community‐based design to detect influenza trends over multiple seasons and to evaluate the utility of absenteeism for early detection of accelerated influenza and other respiratory pathogen transmission in schools and surrounding communities.
Barcoding of South African forest‐dwelling snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) reveals widespread cryptic diversity
Authors: Raphalo Evelyn M. , Cole Mary L. , Daniels Savel R.
Published: October 2021

South Africa harbors a rich and diverse terrestrial snail fauna. Despite their importance in ecosystem functioning and structure, their alpha taxonomic diversity is poorly understood, and most groups have not been the subject of molecular systematic scrutiny. During the present study, we used the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) locus to start a DNA barcode reference library, to examine intra‐ and interspecific genetic divergence, and to explore the presence of cryptic diversity among terrestrial gastropods from forested regions in the country. We generated 399 COI barcodes comprising 70 morphospecies in 26 genera and 15 families, representing nearly 10% of the described gastropod diversity in South Africa. Our results showed a substantial overlap between mean intraspecific and interspecific genetic variation and no barcoding gap. Three species delimitation methods—Poisson Tree Processes (PTP), Refined Single Linkage (RESL) algorithm in Barcode of Life Data Systems, and the Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD)—applied to selected widespread species retrieved incongruent operational taxonomic units (OTUs). These results, coupled with high intraspecific variation, suggested cryptic diversity among several terrestrial gastropod genera in the country. We further demonstrated that DNA barcoding analysis holds the potential for highlighting cryptic lineages in snails and for revealing taxa in need of taxonomic revision. We recommend that future taxonomic studies of South African terrestrial snails incorporate multiple sources of information for species delimitation.
Habitat filtering and inferred dispersal ability condition across‐scale species turnover and rarity in Macaronesian island spider assemblages
Authors: Malumbres‐Olarte Jagoba , Rigal François , Girardello Marco , Cardoso Pedro , Crespo Luís Carlos , Amorim Isabel R. , Arnedo Miquel , Boieiro Mário , Carvalho José Carlos , Carvalho Rui , Gabriel Rosalina , Lamelas‐Lopez Lucas , López Heriberto , Paulo Octávio S. , Pereira Fernando , Pérez‐Delgado Antonio J. , Rego Carla , Romeiras Maria , Ros‐Prieto Alejandra , Oromí Pedro , Vieira Ana , Emerson Brent C. , Borges Paulo A. V.
Published: October 2021

Aim

Habitat diversity has been linked to the diversity and structure of island communities, however, little is known about patterns and processes within habitats. Here we aim to determine the contributions of habitat type and inferred dispersal frequency to the differences in taxonomic structure between assemblages in the same island habitat.

Location

The Macaronesian archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and Cabo Verde).

Taxon

Spiders (Araneae).

Methods

We established forest and dry habitat sites (each with five plots) on two islands per archipelago. We collected spiders using standardised sampling protocols. We tested the differences in beta diversity separately for each habitat and for each inferred category of ballooning (an aerial dispersal strategy) frequency across geographic scales through nested non‐parametric permutational multivariate analyses of variance. We then tested whether ballooning and habitat influenced heterogeneity in species composition (dispersion in beta diversity) in the two habitat types. We analysed the effects of habitat and ballooning on species abundance distribution (SAD) and rarity by fitting Gambin models and evaluating the contribution of ballooning categories to SAD.

Results

Communities of the same archipelago and habitat were taxonomically more similar, and beta diversity increased with geographic scale, being greater in dry habitats. There was greater species replacement among assemblages in dry habitats than in forests, with greater differences for rare ballooners. There were no differences in SAD between habitats although dry habitat sites seemed to harbour more species with low abundances (rare species) than forests.

Main conclusions

Habitat type does not only condition the differences between spider assemblages of the same habitat but also the scale at which they occur. These differences may be determined by the heterogeneity in the physical structure of each habitat as well as how much this structure facilitates aerial dispersal (ballooning), and should be considered in theories/hypotheses on island community assembly as well as in conservation strategies.
Neutrophil extracellular traps impair regeneration
Authors: Wier Eric , Asada Mayumi , Wang Gaofeng , Alphonse Martin P. , Li Ang , Hintelmann Chase , Sweren Evan , Youn Christine , Pielstick Brittany , Ortines Roger , Lyu Chenyi , Daskam Maria , Miller Lloyd S. , Archer Nathan K. , Garza Luis A.
Published: October 2021

Fibrosis is a major health burden across diseases and organs. To remedy this, we study wound‐induced hair follicle neogenesis (WIHN) as a model of non‐fibrotic healing that recapitulates embryogenesis for de novo hair follicle morphogenesis after wounding. We previously demonstrated that TLR3 promotes WIHN through binding wound‐associated dsRNA, the source of which is still unclear. Here, we find that multiple distinct contexts of high WIHN all show a strong neutrophil signature. Given the correlation between neutrophil infiltration and endogenous dsRNA release, we hypothesized that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) likely release nuclear spliceosomal U1 dsRNA and modulate WIHN. However, rather than enhance regeneration, we find mature neutrophils inhibit WIHN such that mice with mature neutrophil depletion exhibit higher WIHN. Similarly, Pad4 null mice, which are defective in NET production, show augmented WIHN. Finally, using single‐cell RNA sequencing, we identify a dramatic increase in mature and activated neutrophils in the wound beds of low regenerating Tlr3−/− mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that although mature neutrophils are stimulated by a common pro‐regenerative cue, their presence and NETs hinder regeneration.
DHFR silence alleviated the development of liver fibrosis by affecting the crosstalk between hepatic stellate cells and macrophages
Authors: Peng Yu , Li Zedong , Chen Sheng , Zhou Jun
Published: October 2021

Liver fibrogenesis is a dynamic cellular and tissue process which has the potential to progress into cirrhosis of even liver cancer and liver failure. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is the central event underlying liver fibrosis. Besides, hepatic macrophages have been proposed as potential targets in combatting fibrosis. As for the relationship between HSCs and hepatic macrophages in liver fibrosis, it is generally considered that macrophages promoted liver fibrosis via activating HSCs. However, whether activated HSCs could in turn affect macrophage polarization has rarely been studied. In this study, mRNAs with significant differences were explored using exosomal RNA‐sequencing of activated Lx‐2 cells and normal RNA‐sequencing of DHFR loss‐of‐function Lx‐2 cell models. Cell functional experiments in both Lx‐2 cells and macrophages animal model experiments were performed. The results basically confirmed exosomes secreted from activated HSCs could promote M1 polarization of macrophages further. Exosome harbouring DHFR played an important role in this process. DHFR silence in HSCs could decrease Lx‐2 activation and M1 polarization of M0 macrophages and then alleviate the development of liver fibrosis both in vitro and vivo. Our work brought a new insight that exosomal DHFR derived from HSCs had a crucial role in crosstalk between HSCs activation and macrophage polarization, which may be a potential therapeutic target in liver fibrosis.
Regulation of autophagy protects against liver injury in liver surgery‐induced ischaemia/reperfusion
Authors: Hu Chenxia , Zhao Lingfei , Zhang Fen , Li Lanjuan
Published: October 2021

Transient ischaemia and reperfusion in liver tissue induce hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) tissue injury and a profound inflammatory response in vivo. Hepatic I/R can be classified into warm I/R and cold I/R and is characterized by three main types of cell death, apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy, in rodents or patients following I/R. Warm I/R is observed in patients or animal models undergoing liver resection, haemorrhagic shock, trauma, cardiac arrest or hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome when vascular occlusion inhibits normal blood perfusion in liver tissue. Cold I/R is a condition that affects only patients who have undergone liver transplantation (LT) and is caused by donated liver graft preservation in a hypothermic environment prior to entering a warm reperfusion phase. Under stress conditions, autophagy plays a critical role in promoting cell survival and maintaining liver homeostasis by generating new adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and organelle components after the degradation of macromolecules and organelles in liver tissue. This role of autophagy may contribute to the protection of hepatic I/R‐induced liver injury; however, a considerable amount of evidence has shown that autophagy inhibition also protects against hepatic I/R injury by inhibiting autophagic cell death under specific circumstances. In this review, we comprehensively discuss current strategies and underlying mechanisms of autophagy regulation that alleviates I/R injury after liver resection and LT. Directed autophagy regulation can maintain liver homeostasis and improve liver function in individuals undergoing warm or cold I/R. In this way, autophagy regulation can contribute to improving the prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection or LT.
Effectiveness and safety of a program for appropriate urinary catheter use in stroke care: A multicenter prospective study
Authors: Ikeda‐Sakai Yasuko , Kubo Kenji , Wada Mikio , Seki Rieko , Hijikata Yasukazu , Yoshioka Takashi , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Nakayama Takeo
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Since patients with stroke frequently develop bladder dysfunction, a careful approach is required to reduce unnecessary indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) for preventing catheter‐associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of a program to promote appropriate IUC use in stroke care.

Methods

We conducted a prospective interrupted time series study in three tertiary care hospitals in Japan. Adult patients with acute stroke were eligible. The study consisted of three phases: baseline, education and implementation. Our program included an assessment of IUC indications, educational meetings among healthcare professionals, reminders for removal of inappropriate IUC and a urinary retention protocol. The primary outcome was the proportion of inappropriate IUC use to assess effectiveness. The device utilization ratio and incidence of CAUTI were examined to assess effectiveness, and incidences of urinary retention and all symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) were examined to assess safety.

Results

Among 976 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 738 were analysed. Inappropriate IUC use decreased from 50.1% in the baseline phase to 22.5% in the implementation phase (absolute risk reduction in interrupted time series analysis 42.4% [95% confidence interval, 19.2%–65.6%]). The device utilization ratio decreased from 0.302 to 0.194 (p < 0.001), whereas CAUTI did not change significantly (from 8.81 to 8.28 per 1000 catheter‐days; incidence rate ratio 0.95 [0.44–1.94]). All symptomatic UTI decreased from 9.5% to 4.9% (p = 0.015), with no increase in urinary retention.

Conclusions

Our program improved the appropriateness of IUC use in stroke care while ensuring safety.
Thermodynamics analysis for forced air pre‐cooling of cherry
Authors: Liu Fang , Jia Binguang , Li Zichun , Zhang Xiao
Published: October 2021

Forced air pre‐cooling after harvest of fruit was an indispensable part of modern cold chain logistics. A comprehensive thermodynamics evaluation system of forced air pre‐cooling for cherry was established in this paper using the finite volume method and verified with experimental results. The results showed that the 7/8 pre‐cooling time decreased with increasing air velocity. However, when the air velocity was higher than 2 m/s, the 7/8 pre‐cooling time was not significantly shortened. In addition, 7/8 pre‐cooling time and air velocity coincided with the power function: t7/8 = 42.603v−0.687. The energy consumption of forced air pre‐cooling decreased first (0.5–1.5 m/s) and then increased (1.5–3 m/s) with the increase in air velocity, and the largest difference reached 9.30%. Finally, the inhomogeneity of pre‐cooling was also analyzed. The larger the air velocity was, the lower and earlier of the peak value of inhomogeneity in the forced air pre‐cooling process. When the air velocity exceeded 2 m/s, the change rate of the inhomogeneity of 7/8 pre‐cooling time was less than 5%.

Practical applications

Forced air pre‐cooling after harvest of fruit was an indispensable part of modern cold chain logistics. However it can significantly reduce water loss, fruit wilting and rot during storage. In this paper, the air parameters of cherries 7/8 pre‐cooling time, energy consumption and inhomogeneity of pre‐cooling were analyzed by CFD simulation and experiment. According to the results, we can acquire the explicit relationship between 7/8 pre‐cooling time and air velocity. And the influence of air velocity on energy consumption and the inhomogeneity of pre‐cooling. The purpose was to get optimal air parameters for forced air pre‐cooling of cherries.
Siblings' similarities and dissimilarities: A review of theoretical perspectives and empirical insights
Authors: Her Yu‐Chin , Batur Zeynep Zümer , Vergauwen Jorik , Mortelmans Dimitri
Published: October 2021

Although siblings may differ considerably, the similarities between them are often an important source of emotional support in one's life and influence one's life course trajectories. In this review on the topic of sibling relationship and cross‐sibling effect interactions, we aim to encourage research interest and facilitate knowledge building. We begin our review by highlighting how the parental home may induce differentiation between siblings. Next, we illustrate the theories explaining sibling similarities and differences and discuss the factors that stimulate these. Throughout the review, we do not only highlight the complex mechanisms by which siblings imitate yet differentiate themselves, but also mutually relate to their life courses and education. New understandings of how similarities between siblings can simultaneously act as powerful influences and negative examples are provided.
Apart, but still together: Separated parents living in limbo during COVID‐19
Authors: Allen Katherine R. , Goldberg Abbie E.
Published: October 2021

During the COVID‐19 pandemic, parents face unprecedented challenges linked to social isolation, uncertainty about the future, and financial, employment, and school‐related stress. Individuals who planned to separate and divorce before the pandemic now find their lives on hold. In this exploratory study of 14 women who completed an online survey of open‐ and closed‐ended questions regarding the divorce process and parenting challenges during COVID‐19, we were guided by family stress and resilience theory and a directed qualitative content analysis approach to generate a collective story of their experiences, which included four themes: (a) pile‐up of tensions, challenges, and stressors, (b) living in limbo during the pandemic, (c) finding creative strategies and solutions to navigating parenting and relational dissolution, while still living together, and (d) reaching the breaking point. We conclude with implications for professionals seeking to support individuals, couples, and families during a time of unprecedented transition and uncertainty.
Animal experimental research of intralesional bleomycin and pingyangmycin in the treatment of xanthoma
Authors: Lin Xian‐zh , Hu Hao , Zhao Xu , Qian Yu‐x , Wang Hui , Jiang Hua , Zhu Lie
Published: October 2021

Background

Xanthelasma palpebrarum is a type of human xanthoma that occurs on the skin of human eyelids and is a benign skin lesion. Pingyangmycin (also known as bleomycin A5) is one of the 13 components of bleomycin. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of intralesional bleomycin and pingyangmycin in the treatment of xanthoma based on histopathological observations in animal experimental research.

Methods

An animal model of xanthoma was established by feeding rabbits with a high‐cholesterol diet. Pingyangmycin and bleomycin interfered with the skin xanthoma of the animal model. Skin tissue specimens were stained with hematoxylin‐eosin and oil red O to evaluate the effect of the intervention.

Results

A xanthoma animal model was established. Pingyangmycin and bleomycin could reduce the abnormal lipid deposition in the lesion area of the skin xanthoma of the animal, via a local injection. In addition, pingyangmycin was more effective than bleomycin in eliminating lipid deposition in rabbit skin xanthoma.