bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work empowerment among cancer care professionals: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Siekkinen Mervi , Kuokkanen Liisa , Kuusisto Hannele , Leino-Kilpi Helena , Rautava Päivi , Rekunen Maijastiina , Seppänen Laura , Stolt Minna , Walta Leena , Sulosaari Virpi
Published: May 2021

Background

There is a growing understanding that empowerment of interprofessional personnel is linked to job satisfaction levels and quality of care, but little is known about empowerment in the context of cancer care. This study describes how interprofessional cancer care personnel perceive their performance and factors that promote work empowerment.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 475 (45.2%) of the 1050 employees who work at a regional cancer centre. The participants used two self-administered questionnaires – the Performance of an Empowered Personnel (PEN) questionnaire and Work Empowerment Promoting Factors (WEP) questionnaire – to report perceptions of work empowerment. Both questionnaires’ categories comprise moral principles, personal integrity, expertise, future orientation, and sociality. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Versions 24 and 25.

Results

Overall, the performance of work empowerment was evaluated as being rather high (overall sum score mean: 4.05; range: 3.51–4.41; scale: 1–5). The category that rated highest was moral principles (4.41), and the one rated lowest was the social category (3.51). The factors that promoted work empowerment also ranked high (3.93; range: 3.55–4.08; scale: 1–5), with personal integrity (4.08) the highest and future orientation (3.55) the lowest. Performance and factors that promoted work empowerment correlated positively, moderately, and highly statistically significantly (r = 0.531; p < 0.001). Statistically significant associations also were found between empowered performance of personnel and empowerment promoting factors (sex, education, leadership position, belonging to an interprofessional team, and time elapsed since training in interprofessional cooperation).

Conclusion

The personnel rated their performance and the factors perceived to promote work empowerment rather highly. Personal empowerment can be promoted through teamwork training and supportive management in interprofessional cancer care.
Stepwise metabolic engineering of Candida tropicalis for efficient xylitol production from xylose mother liquor
Authors: Zhang Lihua , Chen Zhen , Wang Junhua , Shen Wei , Li Qi , Chen Xianzhong
Published: May 2021

Background

Commercial xylose purification produces xylose mother liquor (XML) as a major byproduct, which has become an inexpensive and abundant carbon source. A portion of this XML has been used to produce low-value-added products such as caramel but the remainder often ends up as an organic pollutant. This has become an issue of industrial concern. In this study, a uracil-deficient Candida tropicalis strain was engineered to efficiently convert XML to the commercially useful product xylitol.

Results

The xylitol dehydrogenase gene was deleted to block the conversion of xylitol to xylulose. Then, an NADPH regeneration system was added through heterologous expression of the Yarrowia lipolytica genes encoding 6-phosphate-gluconic acid dehydrogenase and 6-phosphate-glucose dehydrogenase. After process optimization, the engineered strain, C. tropicalis XZX-B4ZG, produced 97.10 g L− 1 xylitol in 120 h from 300 g L− 1 XML in a 5-L fermenter. The xylitol production rate was 0.82 g L− 1 h− 1 and the conversion rate was 92.40 %.

Conclusions

In conclusion, this study performed a combination of metabolic engineering and process optimizing in C. tropicalis to enhance xylitol production from XML. The use of C. tropicalis XZX-B4ZG, therefore, provided a convenient method to transform the industrial by-product XML into the useful material xylitol.
Nutritional screening based on objective indices at admission predicts in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Song Feier , Ma Huan , Wang Shouhong , Qin Tiehe , Xu Qing , Yuan Huiqing , Li Fei , Wang Zhonghua , Liao Youwan , Tan Xiaoping , Song Xiuchan , Zhang Qing , Huang Daozheng
Published: May 2021

Background

Could nutritional status serve as prognostic factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)? The present study evaluated the clinical and nutritional characteristics of COVID-19 patients and explored the relationship between risk for malnutrition at admission and in-hospital mortality.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study was conducted in two hospitals in Hubei, China. Confirmed cases of COVID-19 were typed as mild/moderate, severe, or critically ill. Clinical data and in-hospital death were collected. The risk for malnutrition was assessed using the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) via objective parameters at admission.

Results

Two hundred ninety-five patients were enrolled, including 66 severe patients and 41 critically ill patients. Twenty-five deaths were observed, making 8.47% in the whole population and 37.88% in the critically ill subgroup. Patients had significant differences in nutrition-related parameters and inflammatory biomarkers among three types of disease severity. Patients with lower GNRI and PNI, as well as higher CONUT scores, had a higher risk of in-hospital mortality. The receiver operating characteristic curves demonstrated the good prognostic implication of GNRI and CONUT score. The multivariate logistic regression showed that baseline nutritional status, assessed by GNRI, PNI, or CONUT score, was a prognostic indicator for in-hospital mortality.

Conclusions

Despite variant screening tools, poor nutritional status was associated with in-hospital death in patients infected with COVID-19. This study highlighted the importance of nutritional screening at admission and the new insight of nutritional monitoring or therapy.
A cross-country qualitative study on contraceptive method mix: contraceptive decisionmaking among youth
Authors: Ouma Lynette , Bozkurt Burcu , Chanley Jill , Power Christine , Kakonge Ronald , Adeyemi Oluwatosin C. , Kudekallu Ramya Jawahar , Leahy Madsen Elizabeth
Published: May 2021

Background

Youth ages 15 to 24, who comprise a large portion of sub-Saharan Africa, face a higher burden of unmet contraceptive need than adults. Despite increased international and national commitments to improving young people’s access to contraception, significant barriers impede their access to a full range of methods. To further explore these barriers among youth in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, we conducted a qualitative study to capture the challenges that affect contraceptive method decisionmaking and complicate youth access to the full method mix.

Methods

To understand factors that impact young people’s contraceptive decisionmaking process across all three countries, we conducted a total of 35 focus group discussions with 171 youth ages 15 to 24 and 130 in-depth interviews with key stakeholders working in youth family planning. Questionnaires aligned with the High Impact Practices in Family Planning’s elements of adolescent-friendly contraceptive services. Data were coded with MAXQDA and analyzed using a framework for contraceptive decisionmaking to identify relevant patterns and themes.

Results

In all three countries, youth reported that condoms are the most commonly sought contraceptive method because they are easiest to access and because youth have limited knowledge of other methods. Youth from diverse settings shared uncertainty and concern about the safety and side effects of many methods other than condoms, complicating their ability to take full advantage of other available methods. While most youth in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda reported at least moderate confidence in obtaining the information needed to help choose a method, and only a few youth reported that they are completely unable to access contraceptives, other barriers still present a major deterrent for youth, including cost, inconvenient facility hours and long wait times, and stigma from family, community members, and providers.

Conclusions

Young people’s ability to fully exercise their method choice remains limited despite availability of services, leading them to take the path of least resistance. Program implementers and policymakers should consider the diverse and often interconnected barriers that youth face in attempting to enjoy the benefits of a full spectrum of contraceptive methods and design multi-level interventions to mitigate such barriers.
Contraceptive use among sexually active female adolescents in Ethiopia: trends and determinants from national demographic and health surveys
Authors: Olika Alemi Kebede , Kitila Sena Belina , Terfa Yonas Biratu , Olika Ayantu Kebede
Published: May 2021

Background

Sexual and reproductive health and right of adolescents is a global priority as the reproductive choices made by them have a massive impact on their health, wellbeing, education, and economy. Teenage pregnancy is a public health issue and a demographic challenge in Ethiopia. Increasing access to contraceptive services for sexually active adolescents will prevent pregnancies and related complications. However, little is known about the trends in contraceptive use and its determinants among adolescent girls in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the trends and factors associated with contraceptive use among sexually active girls aged 15–19 years in Ethiopia by using Ethiopian demographic and health survey data.

Methods

Four Ethiopian demographic and health survey data were used to examine trends of contraceptive methods use. To identify factors associated with contraceptive use, the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey data were used. The data was downloaded from the demographic and health survey program database and extracted for sexually active adolescent girls. Data were weighted for analysis and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive analysis was used to describe the independent variables of the study. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with contraceptive use and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were presented for significant variables. Variables with ap-value less than 0.05 were considered as significantly associated with contraceptive use.

Results

Contraceptive method use had increased significantly from 6.9% in 2000 to 39.6% in 2016 among sexually active adolescent girls in Ethiopia. The odds of contraceptive use were lower among female adolescents who had no formal education (AOR 0.044; 95% CI 0.008–0.231) and attended primary education (AOR 0.101; 95% CI 0.024–0.414). But the odds were higher among adolescents from a wealthy background (AOR 3.662; 95% CI 1.353–9.913) and those who have visited health facilities and were informed about family planning (AOR 3.115; 95% CI 1.385–7.007).

Conclusion

There is an increment in the trend of contraceptive use among sexually active female adolescents in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2016. Significant variations in the use of modern contraception by wealth status, educational level and visited a health facility, and being informed about family planning were observed. Improving the economic and educational status of young women, and provision of information may help in improving contraceptive use in Ethiopia.
Benefits of treatment with favipiravir in hospitalized patients for COVID-19: a retrospective observational case–control study
Authors: Ucan Anıl , Cerci Pamir , Efe Serdar , Akgun Hakan , Ozmen Ahmet , Yagmuroglu Aysel , Bilgin Muzaffer , Avci Deniz
Published: May 2021

Background

Although more than a year past since COVID-19 was defined, there is no specific treatment yet. Since COVID-19 management differs over time, it is hard to determine which therapy is more efficacious. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the regimen with Favipiravir (FPV) and determine if the timing of FPV addition offers any improvement.

Methods

A retrospective observational case-controlled cohort study was performed between March and September 2020, including adults with COVID-19 in a single-center in Turkey. We categorized patients into age-sex matched three groups, group 1 (n = 48) and group 2 (n = 48) included patients treated with the combination of FPV plus Hydroxychloroquine (HQ) early and late, respectively. Group 3 (n = 48) consisted of patients on HQ monotherapy. In Group 2, if the respiratory or clinic condition had not improved sufficiently, FPV was added on or after day 3.

Results

We found that starting FPV early had an impact on PCR negativity and the progression of the disease. 'No progression' was defined as the absence of a new finding in the control radiological examination and the absence of accompanying clinical deterioration. Also, the decrease in C-reactive protein (CRP) was greater in Group 1 than Group 3 (p < 0.001). However, we found that early initiation of FPV treatment did not have a positive effect on the estimated survival time.

Conclusions

According to this retrospective study results, we believe that for better clinical outcomes, FPV treatment should be started promptly to enhance antiviral effects and improve clinical outcomes.
Age at surgery is correlated with pain scores following trochlear osteotomy in lateral patellar instability: a cross-sectional study of 113 cases
Authors: van Sambeeck Jordy D. P. , Verdonschot Nico , Van Kampen Albert , van de Groes Sebastiaan A. W.
Published: May 2021

Background

A trochlear osteotomy aims to restore patellar stability in patients with recurrent patellar instability and trochlear dysplasia. The age of patients at time of surgery could be a relevant factor which influences outcome. We hypothesized that lower age at time of surgery is associated with better patient-reported outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on patients with patellar instability and trochlear dysplasia. Patients were contacted by phone for informed consent and were then asked to complete online patient-reported outcome measurements (PROMs). The PROMs consisted of the Kujala Knee Score (KKS) (Kujala et al., Arthroscopy 9(2):159-63, 1993; Kievit et al. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 21(11):2647-53, 2013), the Short Form 36-item health survey (SF-36v1) (Ware, Med Care 73-83, 1992; Aaronson et al., J Clin Epidemiol. 51(11):1055-68, 1998), and visual analog scale (VAS) scoring pain, instability, disability, and satisfaction on a 0–100 scale. Multivariable linear regression models were used to study the effect of age on the PROM scores.

Results

For this study, 125 surgical procedures in 113 patients were included. Mean VAS pain at rest was 19 and at activity 38; mean Kujala score was 73. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that age at the time of surgery was correlated with VAS pain at rest, with a 0.95 increase of VAS score (scale 0–100) for every year of age. Recurrence of instability was observed in 13 (10%) knees.

Conclusion

In this cross-sectional study, pain scores of 113 patients who have undergone a lateral facet elevating trochlear osteotomy for patellar instability were reported. Age at time of surgery was correlated with an increased pain score at rest with an average of 9.5 points (scale 0–100) for every 10 years of age. Age at time of surgery was not correlated with overall satisfaction.
Influences of temperature and moisture on abiotic and biotic soil CO2 emission from a subtropical forest
Authors: Chen Xiaomei , Liu Muying , Xu Zhanying , Wei Hui
Published: May 2021

Background

Soil CO2efflux is considered to mainly derive from biotic activities, while potential contribution of abiotic processes has been mostly neglected especially in productive ecosystems with highly active soil biota. We collected a subtropical forest soil to sterilize for incubation under different temperature (20 and 30 °C) and moisture regimes (30%, 60 and 90% of water holding capacity), aiming to quantify contribution of abiotic and biotic soil CO2emission under changing environment scenarios.

Main findings:

Results showed that abiotic processes accounted for a considerable proportion (15.6−60.0%) of CO2emission in such a biologically active soil under different temperature and moisture conditions, and the abiotic soil CO2emission was very likely to derive from degradation of soil organic carbon via thermal degradation and oxidation of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, compared with biotically driving decomposition processes, abiotic soil CO2emission was less sensitive to changes in temperature and moisture, causing reductions in proportion of the abiotic to total soil CO2emission as temperature and moisture increased.

Conclusions

These observations highlight that abiotic soil CO2emission is unneglectable even in productive ecosystems with high biological activities, and different responses of the abiotic and biotic processes to environmental changes could increase the uncertainty in predicting carbon cycling.
Improving diabetes control for Syrian refugees in Jordan: a longitudinal cohort study comparing the effects of cash transfers and health education interventions
Authors: Lyles By Emily , Chua Stephen , Barham Yasmeen , Pfieffer-Mundt Kayla , Spiegel Paul , Burton Ann , Doocy Shannon
Published: May 2021

Background

Cash transfers are an increasingly common intervention in the Syrian refugee response to meet basic needs, though there is little known of their potential secondary impact on health outcomes in humanitarian settings.

Methods

A quasi-experimental prospective cohort study was implemented from October 2018 through January 2020 to assess the effectiveness of multi-purpose cash (MPC), community health volunteer (CHV)-led education, combined with conditional cash transfers (CCT) with respect to health measures among Syrian refugees with type II diabetes in Jordan.

Results

CHV + CCT participants had the highest expenditures at endline and were the only group with statistically significant increases in payments for outpatient diabetes care (25.3%, P < 0.001) and monthly medication costs (13.6%, P < 0.001). Conversely, monthly spending on diabetes medication decreased significantly in the CHV only group (− 18.7%, P = 0.001) yet increased in the MPC and CHV + CCT groups. Expenditures on glucose monitoring increased in all groups but significantly more in the CHV + CCT group (39.2%, P < 0.001).

The proportion of participants reporting regular diabetes care visits increased significantly only in the CHV + CCT group (15.1%, P = 0.002). Specialist visits also increased among CHV + CCT participants (16.8%, P = 0.001), but decreased in CHV only participants (− 27.8%, P < 0.001). Decreases in cost-motivated provider selection (− 22.8%, P < 0.001) and not receiving all needed care because of cost (− 26.2%, P < 0.001) were significant only in the CHV + CCT group.

A small significant decrease in BMI was observed in the CHV + CCT group (− 1.0, P = 0.005). Decreases in HbA1C were significant in all groups with magnitudes ranging from − 0.2 to − 0.7%. The proportion of CHV + CCT participants with normal blood pressure increased significantly from baseline to endline by 11.3% (P = 0.007).

Conclusions

Combined conditional cash and health education were effective in improving expenditures, health service utilization, medication adherence, blood pressure, and diabetes control. The lower cost health education intervention was similarly effective in improving diabetes control, whereas unconditional cash transfers alone were least effective. Study findings suggest that conditional cash or combined cash and health education are promising strategies to support diabetes control among refugees and that where the purpose of MPC is to improve health outcomes, this alone is insufficient to achieve improvements in the health of refugees with diabetes.
scDesign2: a transparent simulator that generates high-fidelity single-cell gene expression count data with gene correlations captured
Authors: Sun Tianyi , Song Dongyuan , Li Wei Vivian , Li Jingyi Jessica
Published: May 2021

A pressing challenge in single-cell transcriptomics is to benchmark experimental protocols and computational methods. A solution is to use computational simulators, but existing simulators cannot simultaneously achieve three goals: preserving genes, capturing gene correlations, and generating any number of cells with varying sequencing depths. To fill this gap, we propose scDesign2, a transparent simulator that achieves all three goals and generates high-fidelity synthetic data for multiple single-cell gene expression count-based technologies. In particular, scDesign2 is advantageous in its transparent use of probabilistic models and its ability to capture gene correlations via copulas.
Optimising AVATAR therapy for people who hear distressing voices: study protocol for the AVATAR2 multi-centre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Garety Philippa , Edwards Clementine J. , Ward Thomas , Emsley Richard , Huckvale Mark , McCrone Paul , Rus-Calafell Mar , Fornells-Ambrojo Miriam , Gumley Andrew , Haddock Gillian , Bucci Sandra , McLeod Hamish , Hardy Amy , Peters Emmanuelle , Myin-Germeys Inez , Craig Thomas
Published: May 2021

Background

AVATAR therapy is a novel intervention targeting distressing auditory verbal hallucinations (henceforth ‘voices’). A digital simulation (avatar) of the voice is created and used in a three-way dialogue between participant, avatar and therapist. To date, therapy has been delivered over 6 sessions, comprising an initial phase, focusing on standing up to a hostile avatar, and a second phase in which the avatar concedes and focus shifts to individualised treatment targets, including beliefs about voices. The first fully powered randomised trial found AVATAR therapy resulted in a rapid and substantial fall in voice frequency and associated distress that was superior to supportive counselling at 12 weeks. The main objective of this AVATAR2 trial is to test the efficacy of two forms of AVATAR therapy in reducing voice-related distress: AVATAR-brief (standardised focus on exposure, assertiveness and self-esteem) and AVATAR-extended (phase 1 mirroring AVATAR-brief augmented by a formulation-driven phase 2). Secondary objectives include the examination of additional voice, wellbeing and mood outcomes, the exploration of mediators and moderators of therapy response, and examining cost-effectiveness of both forms of therapy compared with usual treatment (TAU).

Methods

This multi-site parallel group randomised controlled trial will independently randomise 345 individuals to receive AVATAR-brief (6 sessions) plus TAU or AVATAR-extended (12 sessions) plus TAU or TAU alone (1:1:1 allocation). Participants will be people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders who have heard distressing voices for more than 6 months. The primary outcome is the PSYRATS Auditory Hallucinations Distress dimension score at 16 and 28 weeks, conducted by blinded assessors. Statistical analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle and data will be analysed using linear mixed models. Mediation and moderation analyses using contemporary causal inference methods will be conducted as secondary analyses. Service costs will be calculated, and cost-effectiveness assessed in terms of quality-adjusted life years accrued.

Discussion

This study will clarify optimal therapy delivery, test efficacy in a multi-site study and enable the testing of the AVATAR software platform, therapy training and provision in NHS settings.

Trial registration

ISRCTN registry ISRCTN55682735. Registered on 22 January 2020. The trial is funded by the Wellcome Trust (WT).
The efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) for young individuals with high-level perceived stress: study protocol for a randomized sham-controlled trial
Authors: Wu Jingsong , Han Mengyu , He Youze , Xie Xiaoting , Song Jian , Geng Xiujuan
Published: May 2021

Background

High level of perceived stress may result in negative effects both psychologically and physically on individuals and may predispose onset of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, there is no suitable intervention for it. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) studies have shown its therapeutic efficacy in treatment resistant patients with stress-related disorders. Here we describe an exploratory study protocol to investigate the effect of the intervention for the individuals with high level of stress.

Method

This is a single blinded, randomized sham-controlled trial, targeting at young healthy adults aging from 18 to 24 years old. Forty eligible volunteers will be recruited and randomly divided into active and sham rTMS group. All subjects will take a set of neuropsychological and biological assessments and MRI scanning before and right after the intervention. During the interventional period, 12-session stimulations will be performed in 4 weeks with three sessions per week. The primary outcome will detect the difference of Chinese 14-item perceived stress scales between active and sham rTMS groups after intervention. Secondary outcomes will examine the differences of other affective measurements, level of cortisol, and MRI-derived neural functional measures between the two groups after intervention.

Discussion

This trial aims to examine the effect of the 12-session rTMS intervention on individuals with high level of perceived stress. Positive or negative findings from any of the outcome measures would further our understanding of the efficacy of the stimulation and its neural impact. If effective, it would provide an evidence for a new treatment for high perceived stress.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR1900027662). Registered on 23 November 2019. And all items of the WHO Trial Registry Data set can be found within the protocol.
First record of Goldlined seabream Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål 1775), Sparidae, in the Mediterranean Sea (Syrian waters)
Authors: Hamwi Nader , Ali-Basha Nour
Published: May 2021

This paper presents the first record of Rhabdosargus sarba (Forsskål 1775) in the Mediterranean Sea and the Syrian marine waters. One specimen (163 mm TL, 66.45 g TW) was caught by trammel nets at a depth range between 50 and 60 m, from Lattakia coast, on 31 January 2021. This record represents the first sighting of this immigrant species that entered the Mediterranean Sea to Syrian waters from the Red Sea. the key to the species of Rhabdosargus is provided.
Reinforcement learning in local energy markets
Authors: Bose Samrat , Kremers Enrique , Mengelkamp Esther Marie , Eberbach Jan , Weinhardt Christof
Published: May 2021

Local energy markets (LEMs) are well suited to address the challenges of the European energy transition movement. They incite investments in renewable energy sources (RES), can improve the integration of RES into the energy system, and empower local communities. However, as electricity is a low involvement good, residential households have neither the expertise nor do they want to put in the time and effort to trade themselves on their own on short-term LEMs. Thus, machine learning algorithms are proposed to take over the bidding for households under realistic market information. We simulate a LEM on a 15 min merit-order market mechanism and deploy reinforcement learning as strategic learning for the agents. In a multi-agent simulation of 100 households including PV, micro-cogeneration, and demand shifting appliances, we show how participants in a LEM can achieve a self-sufficiency of up to 30% with trading and 41,4% with trading and demand response (DR) through an installation of only 5kWp PV panels in 45% of the households under affordable energy prices. A sensitivity analysis shows how the results differ according to the share of renewable generation and degree of demand flexibility.
Postindustrial Waterfront Redevelopment and the Politics of Historical Memory
Authors: Feinsod Harris
Published: May 2021

How have cities reorganized attention to their waterfronts after the decline of urban seaports? What kind of cultural record attends this reorganization? This article investigates the politics of historical memory at several sites of postindustrial harbor redevelopment since the 1960s. It locates the aesthetic sensibilities of waterfront renewal in a scattered network of comic tableaux in literature, art, and moving images, including the documentaries of Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens, the sitcom Arrested Development, and a mural at Baltimore’s National Aquarium. Like fragments of Benjamin’s dialectical image, these scenes bring together the allegorical ruin of the urban seaport with comic efforts to inaugurate its future as a commercial esplanade, as if virtualizing and intensifying those two phases of Benjaminian historiography (early modern allegory and nineteenth-century commodity). Intermittently, where this dialectical image begins to be realized, these sites have erupted in acts of de-monumentalization by anticolonial and alter-globalization activists. The article locates fragments of this dialectical image in seaports including Rotterdam, Baltimore, Barcelona, Long Beach, and Genoa, studied under the names given to their harbors by developers: Europoort, Harborplace, Port Vell, Rainbow Harbor, and Porto Antico.
Postnatal prolongation of mammalian nephrogenesis by excess fetal GDNF
Authors: Li Hao , Kurtzeborn Kristen , Kupari Jussi , Gui Yujuan , Siefker Edward , Lu Benson , Mätlik Kärt , Olfat Soophie , Montaño-Rodríguez Ana R. , Huh Sung-Ho , Costantini Franklin , Andressoo Jaan-Olle , Kuure Satu
Published: May 2021

Nephron endowment, defined during the fetal period, dictates renal and related cardiovascular health throughout life. We show here that, despite its negative effects on kidney growth, genetic increase of GDNF prolongs the nephrogenic program beyond its normal cessation. Multi-stage mechanistic analysis revealed that excess GDNF maintains nephron progenitors and nephrogenesis through increased expression of its secreted targets and augmented WNT signaling, leading to a two-part effect on nephron progenitor maintenance. Abnormally high GDNF in embryonic kidneys upregulates its known targets but also Wnt9b and Axin2, with concomitant deceleration of nephron progenitor proliferation. Decline of GDNF levels in postnatal kidneys normalizes the ureteric bud and creates a permissive environment for continuation of the nephrogenic program, as demonstrated by morphologically and molecularly normal postnatal nephron progenitor self-renewal and differentiation. These results establish that excess GDNF has a bi-phasic effect on nephron progenitors in mice, which can faithfully respond to GDNF dosage manipulation during the fetal and postnatal period. Our results suggest that sensing the signaling activity level is an important mechanism through which GDNF and other molecules contribute to nephron progenitor lifespan specification.
Long-term memory of configural learning is enhanced via CREB upregulation by the flavonoid quercetin inLymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Batabyal Anuradha , Rivi Veronica , Benatti Cristina , Blom Johanna M. C , Lukowiak Ken
Published: May 2021

Animals respond to acute stressors by modifying their behaviour and physiology. The pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis exhibits configural learning (CL), a form of higher order associative learning. In CL snails develop a landscape of fear when they experience a predatory cue along with a taste of food. This experience results in a suppression of the food response; but the memory only persists for 3 h. Lymnaea has also been found to upregulate heat shock proteins (HSPs) as a result of acute heat stress, which leads to the enhancement of memory formation. A plant flavonoid quercetin blocks the upregulation of HSPs when experienced prior to heat stress. Here, we used this blocking mechanism to test the hypothesis that HSP upregulation plays a critical role in CL. Snails experienced quercetin prior to CL training and surprisingly instead of blocking memory formation it enhanced the memory such that it now persisted for at least 24 h. Quercetin exposure either prior to or after CL enhanced long-term memory (LTM) up to 48 h. We quantified mRNA levels of the transcription factor CREB1 in the Lymnaea central nervous system and found LymCREB1 to be upregulated following quercetin exposure. The enhanced LTM phenotype in L. stagnalis was most pronounced when quercetin was experienced during the consolidation phase. Additionally, quercetin exposure during the memory reconsolidation phase also led to memory enhancement. Thus, we found no support of our original hypothesis but found that quercetin exposure upregulated LymCREB1 leading to LTM formation for CL.
Voluntary Cooling during Exercise Is Augmented in People with Multiple Sclerosis Who Experience Heat Sensitivity
Authors: VARGAS NICOLE T. , CHAPMAN CHRISTOPHER L. , REED EMMA L. , LIZARRAGA ALEXIS , FISHER NADINE M. , DAVIS SCOTT L. , SCHLADER ZACHARY J.
Published: May 2021

Introduction

We tested the hypothesis that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who experience heat sensitivity voluntarily engage in cool-seeking behavior during exercise to a greater extent than healthy controls.

Methods

In a 27.0°C ± 0.2°C, 41% ± 2% RH environment, seven participants with relapsing–remitting MS who exhibited heat sensitivity and seven healthy controls completed two randomized trials cycling for 40 min (EX) at 3.5 W·kg−1 metabolic heat production, followed by 30 min recovery (REC). In one trial, participants were restricted from engaging in cooling (CON). In the other trial, participants voluntarily pressed a button to receive 2 min of ~2°C water perfusing a top (COOL). Mean skin and core temperatures and mean skin wettedness were recorded continuously. Total time in cooling provided an index of cool-seeking behavior. RPE, total symptom scores (MS only), and subjective fatigue (MS only) were recorded every 10 min.

Results

Core temperature (+0.5°C ± 0.1°C) and skin wettedness (+0.53 ± 0.02 a.u.) increased but were not different between groups or trials at end exercise (P = 0.196) or end recovery (P = 0.342). Mean skin temperature was reduced in COOL compared with CON at end exercise (P ≤ 0.002), with no differences between groups (P ≥ 0.532). MS spent more total time in cooling during EX (MS, 13 ± 3 min; healthy, 7 ± 4 min; P < 0.001) but not REC (MS, 2 ± 1 min; healthy, 0 ± 1 min; P = 0.496). RPE was greater at end exercise in MS (P = 0.001). Total symptom scores increased during exercise (P = 0.005) but was not different between trials (P = 0.321), whereas subjective fatigue was not attenuated in the cooling trial (P = 0.065).

Conclusion

Voluntary cooling is augmented in MS but does not consistently mitigate perceptions of heat-related symptoms or subjective fatigue.
Development of microsatellite markers for horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), their polymorphism in natural Greek populations, and cross-amplification in related species
Authors: Walas Łukasz , Iszkuło Grzegorz , Barina Zoltan , Dering Monika
Published: May 2021

New nuclear microsatellite markers (SSRs) were developed for Aesculus hippocastanum, a relict tree species from the Balkan Peninsula. The development of microsatellites was done using the Illumina MiSeq PE300 platform. Out of a set of 500 SSRs designed, a subset of 13 loci was tested using 290 individ­uals from seven natural populations. Twelve species-specific loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 17 and expected heterozygosity from 0.089 to 0.800 with a mean value of 0.484. The population of Kalampaka had the lowest value of allelic richness (2.63) and gene diversity in compari­son to the remaining populations. STRUCTURE analysis confirmed isolation of population Mariolata from the southern edge of the species range and genetic similarity among populations from the Pindos Mts. Ad­ditionally, the utility of new SSRs in 29 individuals from nine other Aesculus taxa was tested. Eleven markers gave polymorphic products for all tested species. For 24 individuals, a high-quality product was obtained for each marker. Results confirmed the utility of specific markers for future population genetics studies.
The Orava dam reservoir – an important site of aquatic molluscs in north-western Slovakia
Authors: Beran Luboš
Published: May 2021

Mollusc assemblages of the Orava reservoir, the biggest dam reservoir in Slovakia, were studied in 2020. The reservoir, built in 1941–1953, is situated in north-western Slovakia. Sixteen aquatic mollusc species (13 gastropods, 3 bivalves) were recorded. Valvata piscinalis (O. F. Müller), Radix auricularia (Linnaeus) and Gyraulus parvus (Say) were the most frequent; they were recorded in more than ten sites each. Rich mollusc assemblages, composed mainly of gastropods, were found in sites with rich littoral vegetation of macrophytes. The bivalve diversity and abundance were very small, especially compared to the other studied dam reservoirs. The current results were compared with the previous surveys. The occurrence of Radix lagotis (Schrank) is its first reliable record in Slovakia. Viviparus acerosus (Bourguignat), Aplexa hypnorum (Linnaeus), Anodonta cygnea (Linnaeus), non-native Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Gray) and Physa acuta (Draparnaud) were recorded in this area for the first time and their sites are outside their known range in Slovakia.
Tätigkeitsbericht der Archäologischen Bodenforschung Basel-Stadt für das Jahr 2004
Authors: Lassau Guido
Published: May 2021

Der Tätigkeitsbericht des Kantonsarchäologen bietet einen Überblick über die wichtigsten Kennzahlen und die Arbeiten in den verschiedenen Abteilungen der Archäologischen Bodenforschung im Jahr 2004.
Vorbericht über die Grabungen 2004 im Bereich der spätlatènezeitlichen Siedlung Basel-Gasfabrik
Authors: Hecht Yolanda , Rissanen Hannele , Schaltenbrand Katrin , Spichtig Norbert
Published: May 2021

Berichte zu den archäologischen Untersuchungen in der Fundstelle «Basel-Gasfabrik» im Jahr 2004.
Development of Microstrip Antenna for Satellite Application at Ku/Ka Band
Authors:   Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, Al-Janabi Farooq , Singh Mandeep Jit , Pharwaha Amar Partap Singh
Published: May 2021

Antennas are the most important unit in almost all wireless communications, which played the key of transmitting the radiating electromagnetic waves after converting it from electrical signal. In this paper, designed an antenna that is capable to operate at frequencies between 12 GHz – 18 GHz for Ku band, and 26.5 GHz – 40 GHz for Ka band. This antenna was designed to overcome the narrow bandwidth, low gain, and large size of most satellite application antennas. By using a square shaped patch on a 4.3 dielectric constant substrate, modified and optimized the dimensions of the patch element, this antenna operated on dual-band frequencies between 12 GHz – 18 GHz and 26.5 GHz – 40 GHz, which satisfies the required bandwidth for satellite application. The antenna design was simulated using CST Microwave Studio software to analyze and evaluate the performance of the antenna design visibility.
Monostatic RCS of Rectangular Patch Antenna in C-Band
Authors:   Department of Electronic Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Diyala, Ba'aqubah 32001, Diyala, Iraq, Hamd Huda I. , Hatem Haraa R. , Ali Israa Hazem
Published: May 2021

RCS is very significant to confirm data for target designation. The targets signature is different, because every target has own signature, and this specific signature is utilized to recognize the type of structure which will be tested. The monostatic radar utilizes one antenna on the body for reducing the scattering of signals for given polarization and receive and transmit in this type in the same location. Microstrip patch antenna is widely used in microwave systems, especially for space applications. In this paper, rectangular microstrip antenna in c-band frequency is designed and simulated as a target to calculate monostatic RCS area using CST software 2019. The strip antenna is simulated and modeled for different target angles (0, 45, 60and 90) degree. The monostatic radar cross section is simulated at 8GHz with incident angles from 0-180 degree. The best RCS of rectangular patch antenna is about -31m2 at the incident angle θ=60o.
The Nile Delta as a Center of Cultural Interaction Between Upper Egypt and the Southern Levant in the 4th Millennium BC
Authors: Mączyńska Agnieszka
Published: May 2021

The societies occupying the Nile Delta in the 4th millennium BC were not cut off from the neighboring regions of Upper Egypt and the Southern Levant. The Nile River, which served as a transport route between southern and northern Egypt, and the geographical proximity of the Southern Levant to the Nile Delta were probably both factors that allowed contact to occur between the regions. Whilst a significant number of Southern Levantine and Upper Egyptian imports have been found at Lower Egyptian cultural sites, the quantity of Lower Egyptian items from the same period found in the Southern Levant and in southern Egypt is more limited. This state of affairs did not occur by chance, which suggests that the scarcity of northern Egyptian finds outside Lower Egypt can probably be attributed to the nature of trade and the position of the Nile Delta in this period.Although our knowledge of the contact of the Delta with Upper Egypt and the Southern Levant is constantly expanding, many issues still remain unclear, including that of trading patterns. Archeological research currently being conducted in northern Egypt (mainly at Tell el-Farkha, Tell el-Iswid, Sais and Buto) has provided us with new material that adds to our understanding of the field. From the most recent excavation results, it would appear that from the very beginnings of its existence, the Tell el-Farkha site in the eastern Delta was as an important exchange center where the influence of the east and the south came together.The aim of this paper is to portray the interaction occurring between the Delta, Upper Egypt and the Southern Levant in the 4th millennium BC on the basis of material found at the excavation site of Tell el-Farkha in the eastern Nile Delta and to explain the role of the Nile Delta in political and cultural relations between these regions.
The Origins and Development of the Definite Article in Egyptian-Coptic
Authors: Kupreyev Maxim
Published: May 2021

The first appearance of the emphatic demonstratives pA/tA/nA in northern Egyptian letters of the 6th Dynasty and their absence from southern Egyptian sources indicates the growing difference between the language variants spoken in these broadly defined regions. Originating from the Old Egyptian pronominal stems p-/t-/n-, the use of these new demonstratives expands rapidly during the Middle Kingdom. In their weak form as definite articles, they indicate that a noun is knownin discourse and thus signal a hitherto hidden grammatical category – definiteness. Once the definite article is grammaticalised and starts to be used with a priori definite nouns such as pA nTr wa ‘the sole god’ or pA HqA ‘the ruler’ (18th Dynasty), the indefinite article appears. The further development in Demotic and Coptic shows that the article was on the way to becoming a noun marker. When attached to a relative phrase, it created a new noun, which could be further determined (xenpetnanouf ‘some good deeds’, ppetouaab ‘the saint’). The following article traces the regional origins of the definite article as well as the main principles governing their development.
The Bronze Calyx-Krater from the ‘Heuzey B’ Tomb in Vergina (Ancient Aigai)
Authors: Drougou Stella
Published: May 2021

The calyx-krater with masks of Maenads on the handles was found in the small built tomb ‘Heuzey B’ on the east side of the necropolis of ancient Aigai (Vergina). The tomb belongs to the burial group Heuzey and is dated to the last decades of the 4th century BC based on archaeological evidence. The new crater from Vergina (krater ‘Heuzey’) complements the small group of bronze krater of the second half of the 4th century BC, which served as the urn (Urne). It seems no coincidence that all of the examples come from Macedonia, as shown by the excavations (Vergina-Aigai, Pydna) or the comparative study (Athens, ex White Collection).
A Young Woman with Fever and Cervical Lymphadenopathy
Authors: Aída Gil-Díaz  , Raju Daryanani-Daryanani  , Rafael Estevez-Dominguez  , Jose Gil-Reyes  , Carlos Santana-Perez
Published: May 2021

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease is a self-limiting and rare disorder of unknown aetiology. The typical presentation includes fever, cervical lymphadenopathy and night sweats. Consequently, it is part of the differential diagnosis of infectious, lymphoproliferative and connective tissue diseases. Histology demonstrates necrotizing histiocytic lymphadenitis. Treatment is symptomatic with non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents, although there are reports of corticosteroid use in complicated cases. We present the case of a 23-year-old woman admitted to hospital for fever and cervical lymphadenopathies, and diagnosed with Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease.
Lymphadenopathy after initiating HAART in an HIV-positive patient with Kaposi's sarcoma: A case of multicentric Castleman's disease
Authors: Daniel Micallef  , Jason Attard  , Charles Mallia Azzopardi  , Michael John Boffa
Published: May 2021

We present the case of a 33-year-old lady who was diagnosed with disseminated Kaposi’s sarcoma and HIV infection. The patient improved on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), however, nine days into treatment, she became febrile and dyspnoeic and developed tender cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy. Despite treatment for suspected sepsis and immune reconstitution, she died in intensive care. Lymph node biopsies revealed coexistent Castleman’s disease and Kaposi’s sarcoma. Initiation of HAART can be rarely associated with unmasking and rapid progression of Castleman’s disease, a phenomenon called immune reconstitution. Urgent investigation and treatment with agents such as steroids and cytotoxic drugs can be life-saving.
STOPP/START Criteria and Their Role as a Clinical Tool in Routine Practice
Authors: Denis O'Mahony
Published: May 2021

Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions (STOPP)/Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment (START) criteria was first published in 2008, primarily as an alternative set of explicit criteria for potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) to Beers criteria.
Addressing Inpatient Admissions and Readmissions Due to Adverse Drug Reactions in the Oldest Old
Authors: Xavier Corbella
Published: May 2021

Adverse drugs reactions (ADRs) in the older population are a major healthcare problem resulting in significant morbidity, healthcare consumption and high costs.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism and Cardiomyopathy: A Case Report with a New Perspective on the Cardiovascular-Endocrine Axis with Respect to Calcium Homeostasis
Authors: Anum Fasih
Published: May 2021

Pseudohypoparathyroidism encompasses a group of heterogeneous disorders defined by targeted organ unresponsiveness to parathyroid hormone (PTH). With an estimated prevalence of approximately 0.79 per 100,000, this is an extremely rare group of genetic disorders. The documented phenotypic manifestations and complications of this condition include skeletal abnormalities, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) resistance, growth hormone deficiencies and abnormalities in gonadotropic hormones. However, the cardiovascular effects of this condition have never been studied. To the knowledge of the writer, this is the first report of pseudohypoparathyroidism resulting in profound hypocalcaemia leading to heart failure in a previously healthy 22-year-old man with no known cardiac history. Following treatment with calcium replacement therapy, the patient’s cardiac function improved dramatically, demonstrating the seminal role played by serum calcium in myocardial contractility and its influence on cardiac function.