bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of wound healing and patient comfort in partial‐thickness burn wounds treated with SUPRATHEL and epictehydro wound dressings
Authors: Schiefer Jennifer Lynn , Aretz Genoveva Friederike , Fuchs Paul Christian , Bagheri Mahsa , Funk Martin , Schulz Alexandra , Daniels Marc
Published: August 2021

Among the available dressings for partial‐thickness burn wound treatment, SUPRATHEL has shown good usability and effectiveness for wound healing and patient comfort and has been used in many burn centres in the last decade. Recently, bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) has become popular for the treatment of wounds, and many studies have demonstrated its efficacy. epicitehydro, consisting of BNC and 95% water, is a promising product and has recently been introduced in numerous burn centres. To date, no studies including direct comparisons to existing products like SUPRATHEL have been conducted. Therefore, we aimed to compare epicitehydro to SUPRATHEL in the treatment of partial‐thickness burns. Twenty patients with partial‐thickness burns affecting more than 0.5% of their total body surface area (TBSA) were enrolled in this prospective, unicentric, open, comparative, intra‐individual clinical study. After debridement, the wounds were divided into two areas: one was treated with SUPRATHEL and the other with epicitehydro. Wound healing, infection, bleeding, exudation, dressing changes, and pain were documented. The quality of the scar tissue was assessed subjectively using the Patient and Observer Scar Scale. Wound healing in patients with a mean TBSA of 9.2% took 15 to 16 days for both treatments without dressing changes. All wounds showed minimal exudation, and patients reported decreased pain with the only significant difference between the two dressings on day 1. No infection or bleeding occurred in any of the wounds. Regarding scar evaluation, SUPRATHEL and epicitehydro did not differ significantly. Both wound dressings were easy to use, were highly flexible, created a safe healing environment, had similar effects on pain reduction, and showed good cosmetic and functional results without necessary dressing changes. Therefore, epicitehydro can be used as an alternative to SUPRATHEL for the treatment of partial‐thickness burn wounds.
Low‐temperature stress during the flowering period alters the source–sink relationship and grain quality in field‐grown late‐season rice
Authors: Huang Min , Cao Jialin , Liu Yu , Zhang Mingyu , Hu Liqin , Xiao Zhengwu , Chen Jiana , Cao Fangbo
Published: August 2021

Late‐season rice, a major contributor to the production of high‐quality rice in China, often experiences low temperatures during the flowering period. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of low temperature stress on grain quality and to identify related physiological factors in late‐season rice. Sink and source characteristics and grain quality traits of two high‐quality late‐season rice cultivars were compared between a year in which low temperatures occurred during the flowering period (2020) and a normal year (2019) under field conditions. Low temperatures during the flowering period in 2020 resulted in a reduction in spikelet filling and consequent increases in source–sink ratios and grain weight and N content compared to 2019. The head rice rate and protein content of the milled rice were increased in 2020 compared to 2019. Starch gel consistency and peak, trough, breakdown, final, and consistency viscosities were reduced while setback viscosity, paste temperature, and texture properties (hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, resilience, and chewiness) were increased for milled rice (or milled rice flour or cooked milled rice) in 2020 compared to 2019. The glucose production rate and total glucose production from in vitro digestion of cooked milled rice was reduced in 2020 compared to 2019. The results of this study suggest that low temperature stress during the flowering period can improve milling, nutritional, and health qualities but reduce the cooking and eating quality in late‐season rice by altering the source–sink relationship.
Affective disgust predicts blame for gay male homicide victims
Authors: Quinn Elizabeth A. , Skinner‐Dorkenoo Allison L. , Wages James E.
Published: August 2021

For certain crimes there is a tendency in the United States to blame individuals for their victimization. Previous work has shown that affective states can impact blame attribution. Drawing upon this work, the purpose of the current pre‐registered research was to examine the relation between affective disgust and victim blame attribution. In Study 1, as participants’ (N = 203) level of implicit disgust associations with gay men increased, their tendency to blame a gay male homicide victim also increased, whereas their agreement that the homicide qualified as a hate crime decreased. In Study 2, disgust was experimentally induced by exposing participants (N = 431) to disgusting (e.g., vomit, insects) or neutral images (e.g., mug, stapler). Inducing disgust increased victim blame and decreased perceptions that the homicide constituted a hate crime. However, exploratory mediation analyses in both studies showed that the impact of disgust on hate crime applications is best explained as an indirect effect of victim blame. Taken together, these findings suggest that both individual differences in implicit gay‐disgust and situational feelings of disgust may underlie people’s perceptions of how blameworthy a victim is for the crime committed against them.
Clinician perspectives on implementing a team‐based metacognitive strategy training approach to stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Hunt Anne W. , Allen Kay‐Ann , Dittmann Katherine , Linkewich Elizabeth , Donald Michelle , Hutter Jennifer , Patel Alexandra , McEwen Sara
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The objective of this research study was to explore site and clinician specific experiences, successes and challenges in implementing a complex intervention (cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance approach) to enhance stroke team's ability to address cognitive impairments as part of comprehensive stroke rehabilitation.

Methods

A focus group was held with clinicians from five study sites, all rehabilitation stroke hospitals in a large urban setting, to discuss implementation experiences. Participants were clinicians (site champions) from each of the five participating stroke program study sites and included four occupational therapists, three physiotherapists and one speech‐language pathologist. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes that represented clinicians' perspectives.

Results

Implementing this complex team‐based intervention was influenced by three themes—organizational support, experiential evidence, and clinicians' perspectives. Continued implementation of the intervention following the withdrawal of study support was represented on a continuum that ranged from not using the approach at all to implementing it with all patients. Sites where managers encouraged and supported use of the intervention within teams (organization support), continued to use it after the study support period as did clinicians who were willing to try new interventions (clinicians' perspectives). Development of iterative conclusions through implementation or attempts to implement the intervention had both positive and negative effects on continued implementation (experiential evidence).

Conclusions

Strategies that reinforce development of positive experiential evidence and building organizational support for innovative practice were found to be useful adjuncts in facilitating implementation of complex interprofessional interventions.
Family members' experience improves with care preference documentation in home based primary care
Authors: Levy Cari , Esmaeili Aryan , Smith Dawn , Hogikyan Robert , Periyakoil Vyjeyanthi , Carpenter Joan G. , Sales Anne , Ersek Mary
Published: August 2021

Background

The Veterans Health Administration (VA) implemented the comprehensive life‐sustaining treatment (LST) Decisions Initiative to provide training and standardize documentation of goals of care and LST preferences for seriously ill Veterans to improve end‐of‐life (EOL) outcomes. LST documentation is expected for all Home‐Based Primary Care (HBPC) Veterans because they are at high risk of hospitalization and mortality.

Methods

A retrospective, cross‐sectional analysis compared associations between Bereaved Family Survey (BFS) EOL care ratings and LST documentation. Participants were Veterans who died August 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 in one of 55 VA HBPC programs. Regression modeling generated odds for key BFS outcomes. LST template completion rate was plotted by month to understand the interaction between time, LST completion rate, and EOL care family ratings.

Results

LST preferences were documented for 39% of HBPC Veterans. Family members rated overall EOL care as excellent for 53% of Veterans but significant divergence in BFS ratings occurred during the last 7 months of the study with 60% of family members of LST completers rating care as excellent compared with 48% for Veterans lacking LST documentation (p = 0.003). The adjusted odds of rating overall care in the final month of life as excellent was higher among those with a completed LST template (1.64 95% CI 1.19, 2.26).

Conclusions

Higher rates of LST documentation were associated with more favorable ratings of EOL but not in initial months following implementation of the comprehensive initiative; however, LST documentation rates were lower than expected among HBPC Veterans. Following an initial period of implementation of a comprehensive national initiative to promote Veteran choice about care during serious illness, documented LST preferences were associated with better family ratings of EOL care. HBPC clinicians may improve the bereaved family experience by using LSDTI tools and training to elicit and document preferences.
‘What about the poor people's rights?’ The dismantling of social citizenship through access to justice and welfare reform policy
Authors: SIGAFOOS JENNIFER , ORGAN JAMES
Published: August 2021

Recent extensive reforms to the welfare system and concurrent reduction in the provision of free legal advice have had a major impact on the meaning of social citizenship. This article examines this changed meaning, drawing mainly on the findings of a study funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission into the impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012. The study provides evidence of the interrelationship between civil and social rights, and of how the changes to legal advice provision have had a negative impact on the ability of citizens to establish or enforce welfare rights. The effect is a perception that the state is failing to uphold its end of a reciprocal bargain with its citizens. We argue that limited reciprocity and inclusion, along with distrust in the system, have profound implications for social and civil rights, undermine the state's political legitimacy, and are causing the dismantling of social citizenship.
Spatial organization of dinoflagellate genomes: Novel insights and remaining critical questions
Authors: Lin Senjie , Song Bo , Morse David
Published: August 2021

As is true for many other aspects, genome architecture, evolution, and function in dinoflagellates are enigmatic and, in the meantime, continuous inspiration for scientific quests. Recent third‐generation sequencing and Hi‐C linkage analyses brought new insights into the spatial organization of symbiodiniacean genomes, revealing the topologically associated domains, discrete gene clusters and their cis and trans orientations, and relationships with transcription. Where do these new findings bring us in dinoflagellate genomics? Here, we aim to place these new results in the backdrop of the long history of research on this topic and in the context of what critical questions remain to be pursued in the future. The new data suggest, pending verification of other complete chromosome assemblies, a potential evolutionary trend in chromosome number decrease and length increase within the Symbiodiniaceae. While questions remain about the mechanics of the three‐dimensional chromosome structure and cell cycle‐related DNA replication, the mechanisms of gene transcription and genome size evolution, these latest findings set new starting points for further inquiries.
Making sense of the new: Progress of modernity in colonial Odisha (1866–1916) Part I
Authors: Satpathy Sumanyu
Published: August 2021

The article is in two parts. The first part tries to make an intervention in the ongoing debates on modernity. Based on extensive archival research on the numerous discussions and debates around questions of the ‘new kind of newness’, in the nascent Odia print public‐sphere, it offers a detailed analysis of the advent of modernity in colonial Odisha. It works under the premise that since much of the Anglophone analysis of modernity in specific historical periods is conducted in non‐vernacular idioms, the discourse itself does not remain uncontaminated by the historical baggage of the source cultures. Instead, this article prefers to bring into focus and analyse extant discourses in the vernacular to understand how the new Odia elite responded to Euromoderity when it impacted their culture under colonial hegemony. Beginning with the earliest discussions of newness in education, technology, medicine, notions of enlightenment and reason, and new literary genres, the Odia elite used such terms as bartaman, navya, nutana etc. as adjectives to refer to the newness. Soon, the term adhunik (for modern) came into vogue; but, the earliest deployment of this term was rather tentative, and began to stabilize around the turn of the century. This in itself tells the story of the uncertain steps Euromodernity takes in the colonial context. The analysis focuses on understanding how the cognitive and empirical aspects of modernity are understood in the Odia vernacular, as it tries to trace the progress of modernity in the Odia‐speaking tracts. It looks to identify the moment of rupture in Odisha that changed the way the Odia elite saw themselves. The second part to follow will examine such questions as the possible co‐existence of tradition and modernity; contradictions involved in the reception of modernity and whether Euromodernity itself remains unchanged in its new location.
Optimal investment for retail investors
Authors: Belak Christoph , Mich Lukas , Seifried Frank T.
Published: August 2021

We study optimal portfolio decisions for a retail investor that faces a strictly positive transaction cost in a classical Black‐Scholes market. We provide a construction of optimal trading strategies and characterize the value function as the unique viscosity solution of the associated quasi‐variational inequalities. Moreover, we numerically investigate the optimal trading regions for a variety of real‐world cost structures faced by retail investors. We find that the cost structure has a strong effect on the qualitative shape of the no‐trading region and optimal strategies.
Distributionally robust portfolio maximization and marginal utility pricing in one period financial markets
Authors: Obłój Jan , Wiesel Johannes
Published: August 2021

We consider the optimal investment and marginal utility pricing problem of a risk averse agent and quantify their exposure to model uncertainty. Specifically, we compute explicitly the first‐order sensitivity of their value function, optimal investment policy and Davis' option prices to model uncertainty. To achieve this, we capture model uncertainty by replacing the baseline model with an adverse choice from a small Wasserstein ball around in the space of probability measures. Our sensitivities are thus fully non‐parametric. We show that the results entangle the baseline model specification and the agent's risk attitudes. The sensitivities can behave in a non‐monotone way as a function of the baseline model's Sharpe's ratio, the relative weighting of assets in the agent's portfolio can change and marginal prices can both increase or decrease when the agent faces model uncertainty.
Consumer stockpiling and demand elasticity biases: A theoretical note with applications
Authors: Li Ruochen
Published: August 2021

Consumer stockpiling can result in biased empirical estimates of own‐ and cross‐price elasticities of demand with significant implications for a range of policy issues. To further the theoretical understanding of such biases, I develop a simple, yet general theoretical framework. For any given demand and prices, I show both the own‐ and cross‐price elasticities biases can be over‐ or underestimated depending upon a single intuitive condition. I then illustrate the importance of these insights by applying them to some example applications, including the measurement of market power and the estimated effects of tax increases on consumption.
Ecology drives the evolution of diverse social strategies in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Figueiredo Alexandre R. T. , Wagner Andreas , Kümmerli Rolf
Published: August 2021

Bacteria often cooperate by secreting molecules that can be shared as public goods between cells. Because the production of public goods is subject to cheating by mutants that exploit the good without contributing to it, there has been great interest in elucidating the evolutionary forces that maintain cooperation. However, little is known about how bacterial cooperation evolves under conditions where cheating is unlikely to be of importance. Here we use experimental evolution to follow changes in the production of a model public good, the iron‐scavenging siderophore pyoverdine, of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. After 1200 generations of evolution in nine different environments, we observed that cheaters only reached high frequency in liquid medium with low iron availability. Conversely, when adding iron to reduce the cost of producing pyoverdine, we observed selection for pyoverdine hyperproducers. Similarly, hyperproducers also spread in populations evolved in highly viscous media, where relatedness between interacting individuals is increased. Whole‐genome sequencing of evolved clones revealed that hyperproduction is associated with mutations involving genes encoding quorum‐sensing communication systems, while cheater clones had mutations in the iron‐starvation sigma factor or in pyoverdine biosynthesis genes. Our findings demonstrate that bacterial social traits can evolve rapidly in divergent directions, with particularly strong selection for increased levels of cooperation occurring in environments where individual dispersal is reduced, as predicted by social evolution theory. Moreover, we establish a regulatory link between pyoverdine production and quorum‐sensing, showing that increased cooperation with respect to one trait (pyoverdine) can be associated with the loss (quorum‐sensing) of another social trait.
Genome‐wide molecular phylogenetic analyses and mating experiments which reveal the evolutionary history and an intermediate stage of speciation of a giant water bug
Authors: Suzuki Tomoya , Yano Koki , Ohba Shin‐ya , Kawano Keisuke , Sekiné Kazuki , Bae Yeon Jae , Tojo Koji
Published: August 2021

The intermediate stages of speciation are important for understanding the processes involved in the creation of biodiversity, and also comprise a number of interesting phenomena. However, difficulties are associated with dividing clear speciation stages because speciation is a continuous process. Therefore, the elucidation of speciation is an interesting and important task in evolutionary biology. We herein present an example of a species in an intermediate stage of speciation using the giant water bug Appasus japonicus (Heteroptera, Belostomatidae) that was investigated using mating experiments and phylogenetic analyses of the mtDNA COI (658 bp) and 16S rRNA (435 bp) regions, and nDNA SSR (13 loci) and its genome‐wide SNPs (11,241 SNPs). The results of our phylogenetic analyses based on their mtDNA data set and the genome‐wide SNPs data set strongly supported the paraphyly of the Japanese populations. Therefore, it is suggested that their ancestral lineage which being distributed in the Japanese Archipelago subsequently migrated to the Eurasian Continent (i.e., back‐dispersal occurred). Furthermore, the results of the mating experiments suggested that among A. japonicus, even between closely related lineages, premating reproductive isolation has been established by the differentiation of copulatory organ morphologies. In contrast, premating reproductive isolation is not established in the absence of the differentiation of copulatory organ morphologies, even if genetic differentiation is prominent. These results suggested that their phylogenetic distance does not predict premating reproductive isolation. Furthermore, in the present study, we present a clear example of premating reproductive isolation driving speciation between closely related lineages.
Rate‐dependent fracture modeling of bituminous media using nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone with Gaussian damage function
Authors: Kim Yong‐Rak , Teixeira Jamilla E. S. L. , Kommidi Santosh R. , Little Dallas N. , Aragao Francisco T. S. , Manrique‐Sanchez Laura , Souza Flavio V.
Published: August 2021

Cracking of bituminous materials is one of the main distresses that results in roadway failure. As bituminous media are highly rate‐dependent at intermediate temperatures due to the viscoelastic nature of the binding materials, cracking is also highly rate‐dependent viscoelastic. This presents a clear need to address the phenomenon in the modeling‐analysis process for a more accurate design of mixtures and pavements. This study proposes an advanced computational modeling method to predict complex rate‐dependent cracking in bituminous materials and pavements. In particular, we explored an extrinsic nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone (NVCZ) integrated with Gaussian damage evolution. To examine the modeling method and its validity, two modeling efforts in multiple length scales were made: mm‐scale material‐level modeling and cm‐m scale hierarchical modeling that linked the mixture with pavement structure. The NVCZ modeling with Gaussian damage evolution successfully predicted material cracking and damage at different loading rates by using a single set of fracture parameters. This implies that the complex cracking behavior of bituminous materials can be characterized by material‐specific fracture parameters that can be identified by a simple fracture test. The pavement modeling through a parametric analysis demonstrated the sensitivity and capability of the modeling to effectively capture the interrelated influence of several core design variables, such as traffic, material properties, and layer configurations, all of which affect pavement responses and damage evolution. The computational modeling presented in this study has the scientific rigor to predict nonlinear rate‐dependent viscoelastic fracture of bituminous materials and pavements with a good modeling efficiency by significantly reducing laboratory tests.
Humpback whale call repertoire on a northeastern Newfoundland foraging ground
Authors: Epp Mikala V. , Fournet Michelle E. H. , Davoren Gail K.
Published: August 2021

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are a highly vocal baleen whale species with a diverse acoustic repertoire. “Song” has been well studied, while discrete “calls” have been described in a limited number of regions. We aimed to quantitatively describe calls from coastal Newfoundland, Canada, where foraging humpback whales aggregate during the summer. Recordings were made in July–August 2015 and 2016. Extracted calls were assigned to call types using aural/visual (AV) characteristics, and then agreement between quantitative acoustic parameters and qualitative call assignments was assessed using a supervised random forest (RF) analysis. The RF classified calls well (96% agreement) into three broad classes (high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), pulsed (P)), but agreement for call types within classes was lower (LF: 63%; P: 85%; HF: 81%). We found support for a repertoire of 13 call types based on either high (≥70%) RF agreement (9 call types) or high (≥70%) AV agreement between two observers (4 call types). Five call types (swops, droplets, teepees, growls and whups) were qualitatively similar to call types from other regions. We propose that the variable classification agreement is reflective of the graded nature of humpback whale calls and present a gradation model to demonstrate the suggested continuum.
Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in non‐HIV cryptococcal meningitis: Cross‐talk between pathogen and host
Authors: Zhou Ling‐Hong , Zhao Hua‐Zhen , Wang Xuan , Wang Rui‐Ying , Jiang Ying‐Kui , Huang Li‐Ping , Yip Ching‐Wan , Cheng Jia‐Hui , Que Chun‐Xing , Zhu Li‐Ping
Published: August 2021

Background

Cryptococcal meningitis (CM)‐associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is associated with high mortality, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of which is poorly understood, especially in non‐HIV populations.

Objectives

We aim to explore the incidence, clinical risk factors, immunological profiles and potential influence of leukotriene A4 hydroxylase (LTA4H) on non‐HIV CM IRIS populations.

Methods

In this observational cohort study, 101 previously untreated non‐HIV CM patients were included. We obtained data for clinical variables, 27 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines levels and LTA4H genotype frequencies. Changes of CSF cytokines levels before and at IRIS occurrence were compared.

Results

Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome was identified in 11 immunocompetent males, generating an incidence of 10.9% in non‐HIV CM patients. Patients with higher CrAg titres (> 1:160) were more likely to develop IRIS, and titre of 1:1280 is the optimum level to predict IRIS occurrence. Baseline CSF cytokines were significantly higher in IRIS group, which indicated a severe host immune inflammation response. Four LTA4H SNPs (rs17525488, rs6538697, rs17525495 and rs1978331) exhibited significant genetic susceptibility to IRIS in overall non‐HIV CM, while five cytokines were found to be associated with rs1978331, and baseline monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1) became the only cytokine correlated with both IRIS and LTA4H SNPs.

Conclusions

Our study suggested that non‐HIV CM patients with high fungal burden and severe immune inflammation response were more likely to developed IRIS. LTA4H polymorphisms may affect the pathogenesis of IRIS by regulating the level of baseline CSF MCP‐1.
CATastrophe: Response to the challenges of zoonotic sporotrichosis in southern Brazil
Authors: Poester Vanice Rodrigues , Stevens David A. , Basso Rossana Patricia , Munhoz Lívia Silveira , Zanchi Mariza , Benelli Jéssica Louise , Klafke Gabriel Baracy , Cardone Shirley , Xavier Melissa Orzechowski
Published: August 2021

Background

In Brazil, zoonotic sporotrichosis became a national public health problem, with thousands of cases in the last decade in several regions of the country. In this context, health education activities are critical, especially in promoting early diagnosis and access to proper health care in sporotrichosis hyperendemic areas. Therefore, we report the implementation of a public specialised reference service (SRS) for diagnosis and treatment of sporotrichosis in southern Brazil. We evaluated the impact of the SRS on diagnostic confirmation and speed of diagnosis.

Methods

The SRS was implemented in Rio Grande City. We implemented a public service to promote the correct diagnosis, treatment and follow‐up of human sporotrichosis cases. To study the impact of implementing SRS, the annual number of cases and the period between the appearance of lesions until diagnosis were compared, using prior data and that post‐implementation.

Results

The implementation of the SRS directly benefited almost 50 patients in only four years, with the collaboration of almost 50% of the local health groups, together with an increase of more than 200% in diagnosis confirmation and speed of diagnosis, showing the reach, impact and importance of the SRS.

Conclusion

The impact on the individual and collective health of the local population highlights the value of this public health approach in facing the epidemiological threat of zoonotic sporotrichosis.
Twin‐twin transfusion syndrome complicated by single ventricle physiology: A case report
Authors: Kiss Edgar , Chehab Sarah , Moreno Duarte Ingrid , Khan Umar , Schindel David , Pandya Samir , Ullah Sana , Ochoa Courtney , Zabala Luis M.
Published: August 2021

Clinically significant extrauterine twin‐twin transfusion syndrome in conjoined twins is rare and carries a high risk of perinatal mortality. The ensuing postnatal imbalance in circulation across connecting vessels results in hypovolemia in the donor and hypervolemia in the recipient. Data on management and treatment are sparse especially in the setting of a single ventricle congenital heart defect. We present a case of a pair of omphalopagus conjoined twins, one with a single ventricle physiology (Twin B), who developed twin‐twin transfusion syndrome shortly after birth. The resulting pathophysiology in the setting of a single ventricle congenital heart defect created added layers of complexity to their management and expedited surgical separation. Shunting from Twin B to Twin A—with an anatomically normal heart—resulted in mal‐perfusion and rapid deterioration jeopardizing the health of both twins. In the preoperative course, steps taken to medically optimize the twins prior to surgery and the anesthetic considerations are detailed in this report.
Development of CMV‐specific cytotoxic T cells (CMV‐Tc) in pediatric renal transplant recipients with CMV viremia
Authors: Pizzo Helen , Shin Bongha , Garrison Jon , Huang Edmund , Malekzadeh Mohammad , Jordan Stanley C. , Puliyanda Dechu , Toyoda Mieko
Published: August 2021

Background

Viral infections are controlled primarily by viral‐specific T cells, raising concern for adequate T‐cell response to clear CMV infection in transplant recipients receiving lymphocyte‐depleting agents (LDA). We examined the rates of CMV viremia and clearance, seroconversion, and CMV‐specific CD8+ T cell (CMV‐Tc) activity with class of induction agent received.

Methods

Retrospective review of 45 pediatric renal transplant recipients who received induction with LDA (n = 31) or non‐LDA (NLDA; n = 14) received valganciclovir prophylaxis for 6 months post‐transplant and CMV‐PCR monitoring. CMV‐Tc was measured by intracellular IFNγ flow cytometry, when possible, at baseline, 1 month after CMV viremia (>5 copies/PCR) and serially until CMV‐Tc was positive (≥0.2%).

Results

Viremia rates at 1, 2, and 4 years post‐transplant were higher in LDA vs. NLDA (46.3% vs. 7.2%, 64.2% vs. 7.2%, and 64.2% vs. 7.2%, respectively; p = .002). Viremia rates at these time points in seronegative LDA (50.3%, 71.6%, 71.6%) were significantly or near significantly higher than seronegative NLDA (9.1%, 9.1%, 9.1%; p = .004), seropositive‐LDA (22.3%, 22.3%, 22.3%; p = .07), or seropositive NLDA (0%, 0%, 0%; p = .07). Eleven of 17 (64.7%) viremic subjects required valganciclovir dose reduction during the prophylaxis period for leukopenia. All viremic LDA patients developed CMV‐Tc. One viremic NLDA patient did not develop CMV‐Tc. No patients developed CMV disease.

Conclusion

CMV seronegative pediatric renal transplant patients receiving LDA are more likely to have valganciclovir prophylaxis dose reduction and develop subclinical CMV viremia; however, all developed CMV‐Tc. Larger prospective studies are needed to further understand the effects of induction agents on CMV‐Tc and CMV‐Tc's role post‐transplant.
Periplaneta americana peptide decreases apoptosis of pig‐ovary granulosa cells induced by H2O2 through FoxO1
Authors: Kong Caihua , Liu Kena , Wang Qin , Fu Rong , Si Huaxin , Sui Shiyan
Published: August 2021

Oxidative stress can induce apoptosis of granulosa cells and lead to follicular atresia, thereby reducing the number of pigs giving birth. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Periplaneta americana peptide (PAP) on the apoptosis of the granulosa cells of pig ovaries (PGCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) via FoxO1. PGCs were treated with H2O2 to establish a cell apoptosis model. Cell viability was measured using the cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay, and cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitric oxide (NO) content were detected to reflect the oxidative stress. Western blotting, qRT‐PCR and overexpression were undertaken to determine the expression of FoxO1 and caspase‐3, and immunofluorescence was used to detect FoxO1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. PGCs were treated with 100 μM H2O2 for 6 hr, which resulted in oxidative damage and apoptosis and an apoptosis rate for PGCs of 32.95%. Next, PGCs were treated with 400 μg/ml PAP for 24 hr to repair the apoptosis induced by H2O2. PAP improved cell viability in H2O2‐stimulated PGCs, the increased MDA level and NO content caused by H2O2 stimulation were reversed and the apoptotic rate of PGCs was reduced. The qRT‐PCR and Western blotting results indicated that PAP decreased the H2O2‐induced apoptosis and the expression of FoxO1 and caspase‐3 in PGCs. The effect of PAP was the same following FoxO1 overexpression. FoxO1 was expressed in the nucleus when stimulated by H2O2 or overexpression; however, it migrated to the cytoplasm following PAP treatment. PAP decreased the apoptosis of PGCs induced by H2O2 by regulating FoxO1 expression and nuclear translocation.
Feed the bees and shade the streams: riparian shrubs planted for restoration provide forage for native bees
Authors: Mitchell Scott R. , DeBano Sandra J. , Rowland Mary M. , Burrows Skyler
Published: August 2021

With evidence of pollinator declines and an increasing focus on restoration, interest is growing in investigating floral resources for native bees. Although native bees forage on shrubs, few studies have explored the pollinator communities of native shrubs and none have examined shrub‐pollinator interactions in riparian areas of the northwestern United States. Life history traits of shrubs may make them particularly important resources for bees, especially in early spring—a key point in the lifecycle of many bee species. We conducted extensive hand‐net surveys over 2 years in a large riparian restoration project in the Pacific Northwest to understand bee‐flowering plant interactions with the aim of guiding future restoration efforts. Although forb blooming stem abundance and richness were higher than that of shrubs in spring, 57% of bees observed foraging were on willow (Salix spp.), a commonly planted riparian shrub. Season‐long, bee community composition on shrubs differed from that of forbs. Bee species diversity was highest on wax currant (Ribes cereum) and willow in early spring (April) and on black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) and mallow ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus) later (i.e., June – July). Some bees showed a strong preference for wax currant and black hawthorn, both of which are more resistant to ungulate herbivory than other shrubs. Our results suggest that riparian restoration practitioners could consider using shrubs that provide forage to a diverse community of pollinators and improve stream health by shading and stabilizing banks. Planting bee‐friendly shrubs can help accomplish multiple restoration goals and leverage limited restoration funding.
Stability of smooth periodic travelling waves in the Camassa–Holm equation
Authors: Geyer Anna , Martins Renan H. , Natali Fábio , Pelinovsky Dmitry E.
Published: August 2021

We solve the open problem of spectral stability of smooth periodic waves in the Camassa–Holm equation. The key to obtaining this result is that the periodic waves of the Camassa–Holm equation can be characterized by an alternative Hamiltonian structure, different from the standard formulation common to the Korteweg‐de Vries equation. The standard formulation has the disadvantage that the period function is not monotone and the quadratic energy form may have two rather than one negative eigenvalues. We prove that the nonstandard formulation has the advantage that the period function is monotone and the quadratic energy form has only one simple negative eigenvalue. We deduce a precise condition for the spectral and orbital stability of the smooth periodic travelling waves and show numerically that this condition is satisfied in the open region where the smooth periodic waves exist.
Assessing the Reliability of the Retrospective Reproductive Calendar: Evidence from Urban Kenya
Authors: Tumlinson Katherine , Curtis Siân L.
Published: August 2021

The reproductive calendar is a data collection tool that collects month‐by‐month retrospective histories of contraceptive use. This survey instrument is implemented in large‐scale demographic surveys, but its reliability is not well‐understood. Our analysis helps to address this research gap, using longitudinal panel data with overlapping calendars from urban Kenya. Our findings indicate calendar data collected in 2014 underestimated 2012 reports of current use by 5 percentage points. And while the overall percentage of women reporting at least one episode of contraceptive use was similar across the two calendars (67 percent vs. 70 percent), there was notable disagreement in contraceptive behavior when comparing the histories of individual women; less than 20 percent of women with any contraceptive use reported the exact same pattern of use in both calendars. Low calendar reliability was especially apparent for younger women and those with complicated contraceptive histories. Individual‐level discordance resulted in a small difference in 12‐month discontinuation rates for the period of calendar overlap; when surveyed in 2014, women reported a 12‐month discontinuation rate of 39 percent, compared to a rate of 34 percent reported in 2012. When using retrospective calendar data, attention must be paid to the potential for individual reporting errors.
Effects of integrating grass‐clover leys with livestock into arable crop rotations on soil carbon stocks and particulate and mineral‐associated soil organic matter fractions in conventional and organic systems
Authors: Zani Caio Fernandes , Lopez‐Capel Elisa , Abbott Geoffrey D. , Taylor James A. , Cooper Julia M.
Published: August 2021

Organic systems, integrated crop–livestock systems (ICL) and leys are posited as strategies to increase soil carbon (C) stocks. However, previous studies have: (i) only considered one driver of change; (ii) evaluated soil C content instead of stocks; (iii) been limited to the 0.20 m depth; (iv) used short‐term leys; and (v) rarely assessed the distribution of C among soil organic matter (SOM) fractions, which relates to C stabilization. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of conventional vs. organic agricultural systems, grazing regimes (non‐grazed vs. grazed) and different proportions of temporary grass‐clover leys in crop rotations (ley time proportion – LTP) on soil C stocks and C distribution among SOM fractions down to 0.60 m soil depth. SOM fractions assessed were particulate organic matter (POM > 53 μm), heavy fraction (HF > 53 μm) and mineral‐associated silt and clay fraction (SC < 53 μm). There were no differences in soil C stocks between the conventional and the organic system, but the former had higher SC‐C in the 0.15 m depth. Increasing the LTP associated with livestock grazing increased: (a) soil C stocks in the topsoil (0.30 m); and (b) POM‐C and HF‐C in the 0.15 m and POM‐C in the 0.30–0.60 m depth under both agricultural systems. The inclusion of the longer grazed grass‐clover leys was especially important for topsoil POM‐C and HF‐C under the conventional system. These results suggest that ICL systems with increasing LTP in crop rotations can play an important role in achieving a net C benefit.
Quantifying influence of tillage practices on soil aggregate microstructure using synchrotron‐based micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Gao Yan , Liang Aizhen , Fan Ruqin , Guo Yafei , Zhang Yan , McLaughlin Neil , Chen Xuewen , Zheng Haifeng , Wu Donghui
Published: August 2021

Studying the internal structure of soil aggregates is an insightful way to improve the understanding of soil aggregation process. However, it is still not clear how the macroaggregate pore structure is influenced by the application of long‐term tillage practices. In this study, we aimed to determine the differences in macroaggregate pore structure among long‐term tillage practices using micro‐computed tomography (SR‐μCT). Soil samples were collected from no tillage (NT) and ridge tillage (RT) plots and surrounding fields under conventional tillage (CT) and uncultivated soils (CK). The results showed that the diameters of most pores were greater than 30 μm, but >100 μm pores had the greatest percentage of total macroaggregate porosities in all four soils, that is NT, RT, CT and CK. The CK soil had a higher aggregate porosity of <30 μm and 30–60 μm, as well as a lower porosity of >100 μm than the NT, RT and CT soils. Total porosities within soil macroaggregates in both CK and CT were significantly lower than those in RT and NT, but the porosities of 30–60 μm and 60–100 μm within soil macroaggregates in both CK and RT were no significance. There were no significant differences in pore parameters between CK and RT. The CK and RT had higher mean weight diameter (MWD) and aggregate‐associated SOC contents than CT. Therefore, the pore structure of RT was similar to CK with good soil structure. Overall, RT was more appropriate tillage system to protect soil aggregate structure in black soils of Northeast China.
Field applications of gypsum reduce pH and improve soil C in highly alkaline soils in southern Australia’s dryland cropping region
Authors: Tavakkoli Ehsan , Uddin Shihab , Rengasamy Pichu , McDonald Glenn K.
Published: August 2021

Highly alkaline soils are widespread throughout south‐eastern Australia. High pH limits the accumulation and retention of organic carbon (C), and thus the availability of nutrients to crops and is also associated with various elemental deficiencies and toxicities that restrict crop productivity. Applying gypsum and increasing legume production reduce pH and improve soil chemical and physical properties in alkaline, sodic soils, but this strategy has not been explored in alkaline soils in the region where many of the topsoils are non‐sodic. Five short‐term rotation experiments were conducted to examine the potential to reduce pH, improve soil organic C and increase crop production. In the first year, three legumes—field peas (Pisum sativum), vetch (Vicia sativa) and a medic pasture (Medicago spp.)—were grown at low or high inputs of seed and fertilizer and with three rates of gypsum (0, 2.5 t/ha and 5.0 t/ha). In the following seasons, wheat (Triticum aestivum) and barley (Hordeum vulgare) were grown. Using high sowing and fertilizer rates to increase legume biomass had little effect on soil properties; however, applying gypsum consistently resulted in a lower soil pH and dissolved organic C and higher organic C compared with the unamended control to a depth of 0.20–0.30 m. The largest difference occurred with 2.5 t gypsum/ha with little further change at 5 t/ha. Gypsum significantly increased biomass and grain yield at sites with low concentrations of calcium carbonate. Low rates of gypsum may be effective in reducing pH, maintaining soil organic C and improving crop production in regions with alkaline soils low in calcium carbonate.
Heterogeneous spatiotemporal copula‐based kriging for air pollution prediction
Authors: Wang Jiaoju , Wang Zhizhong , Deng Min , Zou Hang , Wang Kaifu
Published: August 2021

Air pollutants have a significant negative impact on human health, especially cardiovascular and respiratory. An efficient and effective spatiotemporal model for air pollution prediction is urgently needed to help strengthen air pollution control and improve air quality. Empirical statistical models have been widely applied for spatiotemporal prediction. However, they are not capable of dealing well with space‐time heterogeneity and dependency, thereby achieving lower accuracy. Here, a hybrid frame named heterogeneous spatiotemporal copula‐based kriging is proposed for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration prediction; it is a multi‐time, multi‐site kriging model based on spatiotemporal clustering. The proposed model is capable of addressing spatiotemporal heterogeneity effectively and accounting for the spatiotemporal dependence by copula‐based covariance functions. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, an experiment on daily PM2.5 data in China in 2016 was carried out. The results (MAE = 6.48, RMSE = 10.68,  = 0.919) show that the proposed model can achieve good performance in PM2.5 prediction, which is of great significance in regional air quality management.
Nuclear organization in crucifer genomes: nucleolus‐associated telomere clustering is not a universal interphase configuration in Brassicaceae
Authors: Shan Wenbo , Kubová Michaela , Mandáková Terezie , Lysak Martin A.
Published: August 2021

Arabidopsis thaliana has become a major plant research model, where interphase nuclear organization exhibits unique features, including nucleolus‐associated telomere clustering. The chromocenter (CC)‐loop model, or rosette‐like configuration, describes intranuclear chromatin organization in Arabidopsis as megabase‐long loops anchored in, and emanating from, peripherally positioned CCs, with those containing telomeres associating with the nucleolus. To investigate whether the CC‐loop organization is universal across the mustard family (crucifers), the nuclear distributions of centromeres, telomeres and nucleoli were analyzed by fluorescence in situ hybridization in seven diploid species (2n = 10–16) representing major crucifer clades with an up to 26‐fold variation in genome size (160–4260 Mb). Nucleolus‐associated telomere clustering was confirmed in Arabidopsis (157 Mb) and was newly identified as the major nuclear phenotype in other species with a small genome (215–381 Mb). In large‐genome species (2611–4264 Mb), centromeres and telomeres adopted a Rabl‐like configuration or dispersed distribution in the nuclear interior; telomeres only rarely associated with the nucleolus. In Arabis cypria (381 Mb) and Bunias orientalis (2611 Mb), tissue‐specific patterns deviating from the major nuclear phenotypes were observed in anther and stem tissues, respectively. The rosette‐like configuration, including nucleolus‐associated telomere clustering in small‐genome species from different infrafamiliar clades, suggests that genomic properties rather than phylogenetic position determine the interphase nuclear organization. Our data suggest that nuclear genome size, average chromosome size and degree of longitudinal chromosome compartmentalization affect interphase chromosome organization in crucifer genomes.