bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Species-targeted sorting and cultivation of commensal bacteria from the gut microbiome using flow cytometry under anaerobic conditions
Authors: Bellais Samuel , Nehlich Mélanie , Ania Maryne , Duquenoy Aurore , Mazier Wilfrid , van den Engh Ger , Baijer Jan , Treichel Nicole Simone , Clavel Thomas , Belotserkovsky Ilia , Thomas Vincent
Published: February 2022

Background

There is a growing interest in using gut commensal bacteria as “next generation” probiotics. However, this approach is still hampered by the fact that there are few or no strains available for specific species that are difficult to cultivate. Our objective was to adapt flow cytometry and cell sorting to be able to detect, separate, isolate, and cultivate new strains of commensal species from fecal material. We focused on the extremely oxygen sensitive (EOS) speciesFaecalibacterium prausnitziiand the under-represented, health-associated keystone speciesChristensenella minutaas proof-of-concept.

Results

A BD Influx® cell sorter was equipped with a glovebox that covered the sorting area. This box was flushed with nitrogen to deplete oxygen in the enclosure. Anaerobic conditions were maintained during the whole process, resulting in only minor viability loss during sorting and culture of unstainedF. prausnitziistrains ATCC 27766, ATCC 27768, and DSM 17677. We then generated polyclonal antibodies against target species by immunizing rabbits with heat-inactivated bacteria. Two polyclonal antibodies were directed againstF. prausnitziitype strains that belong to different phylogroups, whereas one was directed againstC. minutastrain DSM 22607. The specificity of the antibodies was demonstrated by sorting and sequencing the stained bacterial fractions from fecal material. In addition, staining solutions including LIVE/DEAD™ BacLight™ Bacterial Viability staining and polyclonal antibodies did not severely impact bacterial viability while allowing discrimination between groups of strains. Finally, we combined these staining strategies as well as additional criteria based on bacterial shape forC. minutaand were able to detect, isolate, and cultivate newF. prausnitziiandC. minutastrains from healthy volunteer’s fecal samples.

Conclusions

Targeted cell-sorting under anaerobic conditions is a promising tool for the study of fecal microbiota. It gives the opportunity to quickly analyze microbial populations, and can be used to sort EOS and/or under-represented strains of interest using specific antibodies, thus opening new avenues for culture experiments.
Dissecting the genetic architecture of suicide attempt and repeated attempts in Korean patients with bipolar disorder using polygenic risk scores
Authors: Lee Dongbin , Baek Ji Hyun , Ha Kyooseob , Cho Eun-Young , Choi Yujin , Yang So-Yung , Kim Ji Sun , Cho Yunji , Won Hong-Hee , Hong Kyung Sue
Published: February 2022

Background

Bipolar disorder (BD) has the greatest suicide risk among mental and physical disorders. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) of European ancestry (EUR) samples revealed that the genetic etiology of suicide attempt (SA) was not only polygenic but also, in part, diagnosis-specific. The authors aimed to examine whether the polygenic risk score (PRS) for SA derived from that study is associated with SA or repeated attempts in Korean patients with BD. This study also investigated the shared heritability of SA and mental disorders which showed an increased risk of SA and a high genetic correlation with BD.

Methods

The study participants were 383 patients with BD. The history of SA was assessed on a lifetime basis. PRSs for reference disorders were calculated using the aforementioned GWAS data for SA and the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium data of BD, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).

Results

The PRS for SA was significantly associated with lifetime SA in the current subjects (Nagelkerke’s R2 = 2.73%, odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, p = 0.007). Among other PRSs, only the PRS for OCD was significantly associated with lifetime SA (Nagelkerke’s R2 = 2.72%, OR = 1.36, p = 0.007). The PRS for OCD was higher in multiple attempters than in single attempters (Nagelkerke’s R2 = 4.91%, OR = 1.53, p = 0.043).

Conclusion

The PRS for SA derived from EUR data was generalized to SA in Korean patients with BD. The PRS for OCD seemed to affect repeated attempts. Genetic studies on suicide could benefit from focusing on specific psychiatric diagnoses and refined sub-phenotypes, as well as from utilizing multiple PRSs for related disorders.
Modeling neighborhood-scale shallow geothermal energy utilization: a case study in Berlin
Authors: Randow Jakob , Chen Shuang , Lubashevsky Katrin , Thiel Steve , Reinhardt Tom , Rink Karsten , Grimm Rüdiger , Bucher Anke , Kolditz Olaf , Shao Haibing
Published: February 2022

Nowadays, utilizing shallow geothermal energy for heating and cooling buildings has received increased interest in the building sector. Among different technologies, large borehole heat exchanger arrays are widely employed to supply heat to various types of buildings. Recently, a 16-borehole array was constructed to extract shallow geothermal energy to provide heat to a newly-developed public building in Berlin. To guarantee the quality of the numerical model and reveal its sensitivity to different subsurface conditions, model simulations were conducted for 25 years with two finite element simulators, namely the open-source code OpenGeoSys and the widely applied commercial software FEFLOW. Given proper numerical settings, the simulation results from OpenGeoSys and FEFLOW are in good agreement. However, further analysis reveals differences with respect to borehole inflow temperature calculation implemented in the two software. It is found that FEFLOW intrinsically uses the outflow temperature from the previous time step to determine the current inflow temperature, which makes it capable of much faster simulation by avoiding iterations within a single time step. In comparison, OpenGeoSys always updates the inflow and outflow temperature based on their current time step values. Because the updates are performed after each iteration, it delivers more accurate results with the expense of longer simulation time. Based on this case study, OpenGeoSys is a valid alternative to FEFLOW for modeling ground source heat pump systems. For modellers working in this field, it is thus recommended to adopt small enough time step size, so that potential numerical error can be avoided.
Freely available convolutional neural network-based quantification of PET/CT lesions is associated with survival in patients with lung cancer
Authors: Borrelli Pablo , Góngora José Luis Loaiza , Kaboteh Reza , Ulén Johannes , Enqvist Olof , Trägårdh Elin , Edenbrandt Lars
Published: February 2022

Background

Metabolic positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) parameters describing tumour activity contain valuable prognostic information, but to perform the measurements manually leads to both intra- and inter-reader variability and is too time-consuming in clinical practice. The use of modern artificial intelligence-based methods offers new possibilities for automated and objective image analysis of PET/CT data.

Purpose

We aimed to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) to segment and quantify tumour burden in [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT images and to evaluate the association between CNN-based measurements and overall survival (OS) in patients with lung cancer. A secondary aim was to make the method available to other researchers.

Methods

A total of 320 consecutive patients referred for FDG PET/CT due to suspected lung cancer were retrospectively selected for this study. Two nuclear medicine specialists manually segmented abnormal FDG uptake in all of the PET/CT studies. One-third of the patients were assigned to a test group. Survival data were collected for this group. The CNN was trained to segment lung tumours and thoracic lymph nodes. Total lesion glycolysis (TLG) was calculated from the CNN-based and manual segmentations. Associations between TLG and OS were investigated using a univariate Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Results

The test group comprised 106 patients (median age, 76 years (IQR 61–79); n = 59 female). Both CNN-based TLG (hazard ratio 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.21–2.21; p = 0.001) and manual TLG (hazard ratio 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.14–2.07; p = 0.004) estimations were significantly associated with OS.

Conclusion

Fully automated CNN-based TLG measurements of PET/CT data showed were significantly associated with OS in patients with lung cancer. This type of measurement may be of value for the management of future patients with lung cancer. The CNN is publicly available for research purposes.
Effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy training and education for women who are undergoing elective caesarean section: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Weerasinghe Kalani , Rishard Mohamed , Brabaharan Subhani , Mohamed Aysha
Published: February 2022

Background

Caesarean Section (CS) is associated with numerous post-operative problems. The current literature reveals that physiotherapy interventions such as pelvic floor rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation enable enhanced recovery in the post-operative period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of face-to-face physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS in improving post-operative outcomes.

Methods

A single blind parallel randomized controlled study was carried out at De Soysa Hospital for Women (DSHW), Colombo. Fifty-four women who were to undergo elective CS were recruited to the study. The women in the intervention group (n = 27) received face-to-face physiotherapy training and education; the control group (n = 27) received only the standard nursing care. Outcome measures such as perception of post-operative pain, dosage of additional analgesics required, pain upon returning to functional activities and lengths of hospital stay were collected. Results were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20 using descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test.

Results

Mean post-operative pain score (control group; 4.2±0.46 vs. intervention group; 1.7±0.7) and doses of additional analgesics required were significantly higher in the control group than that of the intervention group. Pain upon returning to functional activities decreased significantly within 2 days in both groups, and values were lower in the intervention group. The intervention group showed a shorter hospital stay than the control group (control group;3.9 ± 0.3 vs. intervention group;3.00 ± 0.0) (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Face-to-face physiotherapy training and education prior to elective CS appears to be a promising intervention to improve the post-operative outcomes by reducing post-operative pain, doses of additional analgesics required, pain upon returning to functional activities and lengths of hospital stay.

Trial registration

SLCTR/2019/029-APPL/2019/028; Registered on 6th of September 2019.
Development of a course based on BEAM robots to enhance STEM learning in electrical, electronic, and mechanical domains
Authors: Boya-Lara Carlos , Saavedra Doris , Fehrenbach Aaron , Marquez-Araque Angel
Published: February 2022

In this work, BEAM robotics is proposed to enhance the STEM knowledge and skills of engineering students in the electrical, electronic, and mechanical domains. To evaluate the proposal, a course is designed and implemented based on a curriculum with objectives and learning activities centered on the design, construction, and operation of the BEAM robots. In addition, the connection between this proposal and computational thinking is explored. Students learn to recognize each part of robots and how they are related, abstract useful information from an electronic scheme and concretize it in a machine by systematizing their behavior. In addition, thanks to an evaluation of the behavior of the robot, identify the faults and apply the solution, as in the debugging process carried out in software programming. It should be added that BEAM robotics has a sustainable and low-cost aspect, which is used in learning activities where Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is recycled, and students are taught to value and integrate these parts into the design of the robots. A pre and post survey and a respective statistical analysis and evaluation of curricular activities are presented as evidence of the improvement observed in students’ STEM knowledge and skills. In general, the results show that this new teaching tool can promote the STEM curriculum in engineering students and motivate implementation, as a new educational robot, at other academic levels such as secondary and pre-secondary education.
Diagnostic accuracy of Schistosoma immunochromatographic IgG/IgM rapid test in the detection of schistosomiasis in Zambia
Authors: Mudenda Jolezya , Hamooya Benson M. , Tembo Shadreck , Halwindi Hikabasa , Siwila Joyce , Phiri Masauso Moses
Published: February 2022

Background

Schistosomiasis or bilharzia is one of the neglected tropical diseases affecting over 230 million people globally. In Zambia, the infection poses as one of the major public health burdens among parasitic infections. The diagnosis of schistosomiasis in endemic countries is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Schistosoma immunochromatographic (ICT) IgG–IgM rapid diagnostic test in the detection of schistosome infections from Schistosoma haematobium and mansoni in Siavonga district in Zambia.

Results

The diagnostic performance of Schistosoma ICT IgG–IgM test was evaluated using 430 of the 440 participants’ samples which had complete data. The prevalence of S. haematobium and S. mansoni was 4.4% and 6%, respectively, while seroprevalence was 71.4%. The sensitivity and specificity of the Schistosoma ICT IgG–IgM test was found to be 100% and 32.2%, respectively. The associated positive predictive value was 13.8% and 100% for negative predictive value. Diagnostic accuracy [area under the curve (AUC)] was 0.57 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52, 0.62].

Conclusions

The Schistosoma ICT IgG–IgM proved to have remarkably high sensitivity with a fairly good specificity and diagnostic accuracy for the detection of both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis. We therefore recommend the test as it is ideal for screening in the light of current focus of disease elimination in endemic countries.
The universally conserved nucleotides of the small subunit ribosomal RNAs
Authors: Noller Harry F. , Donohue John Paul , Gutell Robin R.
Published: February 2022

The ribosomal RNAs, along with their substrates the transfer RNAs, contain the most highly conserved nucleotides in all of biology. We have assembled a database containing structure-based alignments of sequences of the small-subunit rRNAs from organisms that span the entire phylogenetic spectrum, to identify the nucleotides that are universally conserved. In its simplest (bacterial and archaeal) forms, the small-subunit rRNA has ∼1500 nt, of which we identify 140 that are absolutely invariant among the 1961 species in our alignment. We examine the positions and detailed structural and functional interactions of these universal nucleotides in the context of a half century of biochemical and genetic studies and high-resolution structures of ribosome functional complexes. The vast majority of these nucleotides are exposed on the subunit interface surface of the small subunit, where the functional processes of the ribosome take place. However, only 40 of them have been directly implicated in specific ribosomal functions, such as contacting the tRNAs, mRNA, or translation factors. The roles of many other invariant nucleotides may serve to constrain the positions and orientations of those nucleotides that are directly involved in function. Yet others can be rationalized by participation in unusual noncanonical tertiary structures that may uniquely allow correct folding of the rRNA to form a functional ribosome. However, there remain at least 50 nt whose universal conservation is not obvious, serving as a metric for the incompleteness of our understanding of ribosome structure and function.
Evolution of a heterogeneous hybrid extreme learning machine
Authors: Χρήστου Βασίλειος
Published: February 2022

Οι υβριδικοί αλγόριθμοι βελτιστοποίησης έχουν κερδίσει δημοτικότητα καθώς έχει γίνει προφανές ότι δεν μπορεί να υπάρξει μια καθολική στρατηγική βελτιστοποίησης που να είναι πιο ωφέλιμη από οποιαδήποτε άλλη. Παρά τη δημοτικότητά τους, τα πλαίσια υβριδισμού απαιτούν πιο λεπτομερή κατηγοριοποίηση σχετικά με: τη φύση του τομέα του προβλήματος, τους αλγόριθμους που τα συνθέτουν, το σχήμα σύζευξης και την επιδιωκόμενη περιοχή εφαρμογής. Αυτή η διατριβή προτείνει έναν υβριδικό αλγόριθμο που ονομάζεται ετερογενής υβριδική ακραία μηχανή μάθησης για την εύρεση του βέλτιστου πολυστρωματικού perceptron με ένα κρυφό επίπεδο που επιλύει ένα συγκεκριμένο πρόβλημα. Αυτό επιτυγχάνεται συνδυάζοντας τον αλγόριθμο εκπαίδευσης της ακραίας μηχανής μάθησης με έναν αλγόριθμο εξελικτικής υπολογιστικής. Η ερευνητική διαδικασία συμπληρώνεται από μια σειρά προκαταρκτικών πειραμάτων πριν από τον υβριδισμό που διερευνούν σε βάθος τα χαρακτηριστικά του αλγορίθμου ακραίας μηχανής μάθησης. Η ετερογενής υβριδική ακραία μηχανή μάθησης χρησιμοποιεί μια δεξαμενή νευρώνων που στη συνέχεια ενσωματώνονται σε μια σειρά πολυστρωματικών perceptrons εκπαιδευμένων με ακραία μηχανή μάθησης. Ένας γενετικός αλγόριθμος εξελίσσει αυτά τα ομοιογενή δίκτυα σε ετερογενή δίκτυα σύμφωνα με ένα κριτήριο καταλληλότητας. O γενετικός αλγόριθμος χρησιμοποιεί έναν προτεινόμενο, έξυπνο νέο τελεστή διασταύρωσης που χρησιμοποιεί έναν μηχανισμό ταξινόμησης για κάθε κόμβο κρυφού στρώματος με σκοπό να καθοδηγήσει την εξελικτική διαδικασία. Έχοντας αναλύσει τον προτεινόμενο αλγόριθμο στο Κεφάλαιο 5, μια βελτιωμένη έκδοση του προτεινόμενου αλγορίθμου παρουσιάζεται στο Κεφάλαιο 6. Αυτή η βελτιωμένη έκδοση καθιστά τον τελεστή μετάλλαξης αυτοπροσαρμοστικό με στόχο τη μείωση του αριθμού των παραμέτρων που χρειάζονται προσαρμογή. Οι δύο αυτές προσεγγίσεις εξετάζονται σε τρία σύνολα δεδομένων παλινδρόμησης και σε τρία σύνολα δεδομένων ταξινόμησης με σκοπό να ελεγχθεί η απόδοσή τους. Αυτά τα πειράματα έδειξαν ότι και οι δύο εκδόσεις βελτίωσαν τη γενίκευση σε σύγκριση με το καλύτερο ομοιογενές δίκτυο που βρέθηκε κατά την εμπειρική μελέτη στο Κεφάλαιο 3. Τέλος, στο Κεφάλαιο 7 συνοψίζουμε τα βασικά ευρήματα και τις συνεισφορές αυτής της εργασίας.
Psychometric Evaluation of the Polish adaptation of a Self-Report Form of the DSM-5 Level of Personality Functioning Scale (LPFS-SR)
Authors: Łakuta Patryk , Cieciuch Jan , Strus Włodzimierz , Morey Leslie C.
Published: February 2022

Cel pracy

Podstawowym celem badania było opracowanie charakterystyki psychometrycznej polskiej adaptacji Samoopisowej Skali Poziomu Funkcjonowania Osobowości wg DSM-5 (Level of Personality Functioning Scale—Self Report; LPFS-SR). Narzędzie umożliwia pomiar ogólnego nasilenia nieprawidłowości funkcjonowania osobowości, łącznie z oceną nieprawidłowego funkcjonowania w sferach intrapsychicznej (tj. w zakresie tożsamości i kierowania sobą) oraz interpersonalnej (tj. w zakresie bliskości i empatii) – wg kryterium A alternatywnego modelu zaburzeń osobowości DSM-5.

Metoda

Badanie przeprowadzono w grupie nieklinicznej, obejmującej 242 dorosłych (52,9% kobiet; Mwiek = 30,63 lat; SDwiek = 11,81 lat). Do oszacowania trafności wykorzystano Inwentarz Osobowości PID-5 (Personality Inventory for DSM-5), Inwentarz Osobowości PiCD (Personality Inventory for ICD-11), kwestionariusz LPFS-BF 2.0 (Level of Personality Functioning Scale-Brief Form 2.0) oraz kwestionariusz BFI-2 (Big Five Inventory-2).

Wyniki

Wykazano, że u podstaw komponentów funkcjonowania osobowości mierzonych za pomocą LPFS-SR (tj. tożsamości, kierowania sobą, bliskości i empatii) leży jeden silny czynnik ogólny – zgodnie z założeniem, że struktura konstruktu odnoszącego się do nieprawidłowości funkcjonowania osobowości (kryterium A) ma charakter jednorodny. LPFS-SR cechuje się dobrą rzetelnością pomiaru. Wyniki kwestionariusza wykazują teoretycznie oczekiwane zależności z ogólnym wskaźnikiem nasilenia patologii osobowości i innymi teoretycznie powiązanymi miarami funkcjonowania osobowości. Ponadto, podskale LPFS-SR odnoszące się do poszczególnych komponentów funkcjonowania osobowości wykazują odrębność od nieprzystosowawczych cech osobowości ujętych w alternatywnym modelu zaburzeń osobowości DSM-5 (tj. kryterium B).

Wnioski

Uzyskane wyniki potwierdzają trafność polskiej adaptacji kwestionariusza LPFS-SR jako operacjonalizacji nieprawidłowości funkcjonowania osobowości zgodnie z konceptualizacją zawartą w alternatywnym modelu zaburzeń osobowości DSM-5.
current knowledge on ASXL1-mutated acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Andrzejewska Marta , Lubarska Marta , Czerwik Jakub , Kipka Anna , Kowalczuk Klaudia
Published: February 2022

Ostra białaczka szpikowa jest nowotworem złośliwym układu krwiotwórczego, w patogenezie której centralną rolę pełnią mutacje genów kontrolujących dojrzewanie i apoptozę komórek progenitorowych szpiku. Istotna rokowniczo jest mutacja w genie ASXL1, którego produkt białkowy bierze udział w regulacji ekspresji genów. Jest ona negatywnym czynnikiem prognostycznym i predykcyjnym.  Szacuje się, że mutacja genu ASXL1 występuje u 14,4-19,1% pacjentów z AML i jest częstsza u mężczyzn powyżej 60 roku życia. Aberracje chromosomów 8 i 11 często współwystępują z mutacją genu ASXL1 w AML i mogą stanowić dodatkową, istotną prognostycznie informację. Leczenie chorych z AML dopasowywane jest do pacjenta w zależności od grupy ryzyka, zmian kariotypu oraz współistniejących mutacji. Duża liczba chorych nie kwalifikuje się do allo-HSCT, choć ta metoda znacznie poprawia przeżywalność pacjentów z AML z mutacją genu ASXL1. Zastosowanie w terapii tych pacjentów może mieć również gilterytynib, jednak mnogość towarzyszących mutacji zmusza do bazowania na chemioterapii opartej na niespecyficznych lekach cytotoksycznych. Celem pracy jest podsumowanie najważniejszych informacji dotyczących patogenezy, cech szczególnych, diagnostyki i terapii AML z współistniejącą mutacją ASXL1.
Proyecto EASE. El estrés escolar en el alumnado de secundaria en España. Informe global de la Fase 1
Authors: García Moya Irene
Published: February 2022

Este informe proporciona un resumen de los resultados de los cuestionarios online contestados por 4768 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria durante el curso 2020-2021, en los 54 centros públicos y privados andaluces participantes en la fase 1 del proyecto EASE, "El Estrés Escolar en el Alumnado de Secundaria en España. Un Estudio Mixto Orientado al Desarrollo de Claves de Actuación en el Contexto Familiar y Escolar". Por tanto, este informe es parte del proyecto PID2019-105463RA-I00, financiado por MCIN/ AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ y realizado en la Universidad de Sevilla. El informe aporta resultados en tres grandes áreas: I. Estrés escolar II. Clima escolar y familiar III. Regulación emocional y bienestar
Territorio, violencia y desastres en Colombia: un acercamiento a la memoria histórica ambiental
Authors: Thomas Bohórquez Javier Enrique
Published: February 2022

El proceso de violencia rural de casi seis décadas que vivió Colombia dejó, a lo largo de su his­toria, profundas cicatrices sociales, culturales y por supuesto ambientales; este artículo expone algunas reflexiones de un proyecto de que pretendió significar la violencia ambiental y los de­sastres concomitantes a ella, ocurridos en el país, y aquello que requeriría la construcción social de una memoria histórica ambiental. La relación compleja entre condiciones sociales, políticas y geoestratégicas, con las naturales, también diversas, establecen, de una parte, emergencia de vulnerabilidades ante eventos potencialmente destructivos, de significativos porcentajes de po­blación rural, y de otra, importantes, vastos y a veces irrecuperables impactos ambientales, que exigen mayores niveles de consciencia frente a lo que sería la naturaleza como víctima y los pro­cesos de verdad, justicia, reparación y no repetición de acciones que la degraden en su integridad.
Los carnívoros sedientos de las selvas tropicales
Authors: García Grajales Jesús , Buenrostro Silva Alejandra
Published: February 2022

Últimamente hace tanto calor en las selvas tropicales, que los mamíferos carnívoros buscan el agua hasta por debajo de las piedras para evitar deshidratarse.
Un mito de la antigüedad heredado al puercoespín enano peludo mexicano
Authors: Osorio-Rodriguez Angel Neftali
Published: February 2022

En la antigüedad se decía “el puercoespín es una bestia salvaje la cual puede disparar sus púas a grandes distancias”, esta narración ficticia (mito), se volvió una creencia, ya que esto fue atestiguado por algunos filósofos, poetas, escritores y militares importantes de esa época.
Why research is so important
Authors: Chambers Jenny
Published: February 2022

Jenny Chambers discusses the developments in research about intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in recent years, that has taken place with the help of the charity ICP Support
Avian reproductive disorders
Authors: Abou-Zahr Tariq
Published: February 2022

Reproductive disorders are common in birds and are frequently encountered in avian practice. They often involve emergency presentations and may be life threatening. In female birds, chronic egg laying, egg binding, dystocia, ovarian disease, oviductal disease and egg coelomitis are all examples of common reproductive disorders. In male birds, reproductive disorders include testicular diseases and prolapse of the phallus in those species which possess an intromittent organ. Depending on the disorder, medical or surgical management may be indicated. The use of deslorelin (a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist) implants has become popular in avian medicine over the last decade and some studies have explored the efficacy of this treatment in some species, although a lot more research is needed to establish the efficacy in a wider range of species, in both sexes and with repeated use.
A fond farewell
Authors: Wilson Julia
Published: February 2022

The Association of Dental Implantology thanks its long-serving DCP representative
Using reflective practice for personal development planning
Authors: Elsden Jacqui
Published: February 2022

Jacqui Elsden discusses using reflective practice for personal development planning

Aims

To explain the role of reflection and its importance for personal development planning

Objectives

Readers will understand the importance of reflection for personal development planning Readers will be able to reflect upon their own activities to inform their future personal and professional development. Readers will have the tools to complete a personal development plan GDC development outcome B and D
Empowering the profession
Authors: Jackson Josie
Published: February 2022

Josie Jackson talks to Lucie Flood about how supporting patients' general health can lead to empowerment in practice
Safe smiles
Authors: Cummings Ellen , Sood Anshu
Published: February 2022

Ellen Cummings talks to Anshu Sood about the campaign for safer dentistry
Keeping defences high
Authors: Steadman Nicky
Published: February 2022

Nicky Steadman discusses protecting against changing threats
Hyaluronidase use in aesthetic medicine: a review
Authors: Steward Jenna , Müller Amanda , Geller Georgia
Published: February 2022

Background:

Demand for hyaluronic acid (HA) dermal filler procedures is rapidly growing, and several adverse events are recognised with these procedures. Since the use of hyaluronidase as a dissolving agent in HA dermal filler complications, dermal filler-related outcomes have improved.

Aims:

This integrative literature review will aim to present the current evidence for the safety of hyaluronidase use in the aesthetic field.

Methods:

CINAHL and OVID databases and the author's university search platform were searched for primary studies that support the use of hyaluronidase for HA dermal filler adverse events or primary studies descriptive of adverse outcomes with the use of hyaluronidase.

Findings:

A total of 17 studies were located: four cohort studies and 13 case studies. Two themes were identified throughout the captured literature: ‘hyaluronidase reactions and treatment’ and ‘intradermal skin testing’.

Conclusion:

Adverse reactions to hyaluronidase are rare, and most reactions can be safely mitigated with conservative management or antihistamine and corticosteroid treatment. The small risk of adverse reactions to hyaluronidase needs to be weighed against the risk of not treating HA dermal filler complications, both physically and psychologically. In most HA dermal filler complications, hyaluronidase treatment remains beneficial, despite the rare risk of sensitivity.
Students’ External Representation Patterns of Suspending Objects in Static Fluid
Authors: Mansyur Jusman , Werdhiana I Komang , Darsikin Darsikin , Kaharu Sarintan N. , Tadeko Nurgan
Published: February 2022

This study aims to explore the pattern of external representation of suspending objects in a static fluid. The study used a qualitative descriptive method involving 57 elementary, junior, senior school, and university students. Data collection implemented a 30-item test covering the dominant context of suspending and partially floating and sinking.  Some of phenomenographic steps were adapted in data analysis. Based on the data analysis, it can be concluded that there is a dominant external representation pattern, where there is a simplification of the depiction of suspending objects. Suspending position tends to be locked in a limited area, namely in the middle of the depth of the liquid. In the context of suspending objects' cuts, the cuts were generally represented by an upward shifting pattern. Factors that influence the pattern of representation are the involvement of intuition in conceptualizing the phenomena presented, and the conceptual aspect of density has not been integrated into the reasoning process for compiling external representations, both diagrams, and texts. Research limitation is presented in this article.
Remarks on "Comparison between the Laplacian energy-like invariant and the Kirchhoff index''
Authors: Chen Xiaodan , Hao Guoliang
Published: February 2022

The Laplacian-energy-like invariant and the Kirchhoff index of an $n$-vertex simple connected graph $G$ are, respectively, defined to be $LEL(G)=\sum_{i=1}^{n-1}\sqrt{\mu_i}$ and $Kf(G)=n\sum_{i=1}^{n-1}\frac{1}{\mu_i}$, where $\mu_1,\mu_2,\ldots,\mu_{n-1},\mu_n=0$ are the Laplacian eigenvalues of $G$. In this paper, some results in the paper [Comparison between the Laplacian-energy-like invariant and the Kirchhoff index. Electron. J. Linear Algebra 31:27-41, 2016] are corrected and improved.
Quality Standards and Techniques for the Application of Focused Shockwaves and Radial Pressure Waves in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Eid José , Moya Daniel
Published: February 2022

Focused shockwaves and radial pressure waves are safe and effective if used correctly. Nevertheless, poor results and complications have been described due to missdiagnosis and technical errors. The aim of this review is to introduce the basic principles of quality and technical recommendations for each method. Keywords: Shock waves, Radial pressure waves, Quality standards
Iterative blind deconvolution method for dwell-time adjustment
Authors: Tanebe Shigenori , Satake Shin-ichi
Published: February 2022

Negative values occur in the calculation results when a fast Fourier transform is used in the algorithm to calculate the dwell time via the dwell-time adjustment algorithm for optical element grinding. In the present study, a processing method for negative values is used in the Fourier iterative Ayers–Dainty (AD) algorithm. The method in which the range of the unit removal shape was adopted in the AD algorithm resulted in a smaller error and enabled the error to be minimized using the quantized dwell-time distribution output.
Lateral chromatic aberration: a tool for retrieving the fringes phase
Authors: Alcalá Ochoa Noé
Published: February 2022

In this work, the possibility of using the inherent lateral chromatic aberration (LCA) of the lenses to calculate the phase of fringe patterns is reported. It is shown that a single fringe pattern can be decomposed into three phase shifted images and that the phase can be retrieved successfully from those images. Experiments are carried out to retrieve the phase of some fringes, and the results are compared with those obtained using standard temporal and spatial phase shifting algorithms.
CMOS compatible athermal silicon photonic filters based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon
Authors: Trita Andrea , Thomas Abu , Rickman Andrew
Published: February 2022

We report for the first time, wavelength filters with reduced thermal sensitivity, based on a combination of crystalline silicon and hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) waveguides, integrated on the same silicon on an insulator wafer through a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) compatible process flow. To demonstrate the concept, we design and fabricate Mach Zehnder Interferometers (MZIs) and Arrayed Waveguide Gratings (AWGs) based on this approach, and we measure thermal drift <1[pm/°K] in MZIs and <10 [pm/°K] in AWGs at C band.
Classification of fluorescent anisotropy decay based on the distance approach in the frequency domain
Authors: Yahav Gilad , Weber Yitzchak , Duadi Hamootal , Pawar Shweta , Fixler Dror
Published: February 2022

Frequency-domain (FD) fluorometry is a widely utilized tool to probe unique features of complex biological structures, which may serve medical diagnostic purposes. The conventional data analysis approaches used today to extract the fluorescence intensity or fluorescence anisotropy (FA) decay data suffer from several drawbacks and are inherently limited by the characteristics and complexity of the decay models. This paper presents the squared distance (D2) technique, which categorized samples based on the direct frequency response data (FRD) of the FA decay. As such, it improves the classification ability of the FD measurements of the FA decay as it avoids any distortion that results from the challenged translation into time domain data. This paper discusses the potential use of the D2 approach to classify biological systems. Mathematical formulation of D2 technique adjusted to the FRD of the FA decay is described. In addition, it validates the D2 approach using 2 simulated data sets of 6 groups with similar widely and closely spaced FA decay data as well as in experimental data of 4 samples of a fluorophore-solvent (fluorescein-glycerol) system. In the simulations, the classification accuracy was above 95% for all 6 groups. In the experimental data, the classification accuracy was 100%. The D2 approach can help classify samples whose FA decay data are difficult to extract making FA in the FD a realistic diagnostic tool. The D2 approach offers an advanced method for sorting biological samples with differences beyond the practical temporal resolution limit in a reliable and efficient manner based on the FRD of their time-resolved fluorescence measurements thereby achieving better diagnostic quality in a shorter time.
Silicon nitride based photonic crystal fiber with highly improved birefringence for low loss terahertz propagation
Authors: Kaveh Hanie , Jahangiri Fazel , Amini Tahereh
Published: February 2022

We propose a structure of porous core photonic crystal fiber with a suspended and porous elliptical core that provides considerable properties for terahertz wave guidance. The propagation features of the structure are simulated and compared over the terahertz frequency region when TOPAS and silicon nitride are used as based materials. Our results reveal that the TOPAS based structure could enhance the birefringence up to 0.123 at the frequency of 1.4 THz, with a relatively comparable total loss of 0.2 cm−1. Moreover, it is confirmed that introducing silicon nitride as the base material to the proposed structure leads to a significant birefringence of 0.89 at the frequency of 0.6 THz, with a confinement loss of 10−4 cm−1 and effective material losses of 10−3 cm−1.
MAPK-mediated transcription factor GATAd contributes to Cry1Ac resistance in diamondback moth by reducing PxmALP expression
Authors: Guo Le , Cheng Zhouqiang , Qin Jianying , Sun Dan , Wang Shaoli , Wu Qingjun , Crickmore Neil , Zhou Xuguo , Bravo Alejandra , Soberón Mario , Guo Zhaojiang , Zhang Youjun
Published: February 2022

The benefits of biopesticides and transgenic crops based on the insecticidal Cry-toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are considerably threatened by insect resistance evolution, thus, deciphering the molecular mechanisms underlying insect resistance to Bt products is of great significance to their sustainable utilization. Previously, we have demonstrated that the down-regulation of PxmALP in a strain of Plutella xylostella (L.) highly resistant to the Bt Cry1Ac toxin was due to a hormone-activated MAPK signaling pathway and contributed to the resistance phenotype. However, the underlying transcriptional regulatory mechanism remains enigmatic. Here, we report that the PxGATAd transcription factor (TF) is responsible for the differential expression of PxmALP observed between the Cry1Ac susceptible and resistant strains. We identified that PxGATAd directly activates PxmALP expression via interacting with a non-canonical but specific GATA-like cis-response element (CRE) located in the PxmALP promoter region. A six-nucleotide insertion mutation in this cis-acting element of the PxmALP promoter from the resistant strain resulted in repression of transcriptional activity, affecting the regulatory performance of PxGATAd. Furthermore, silencing of PxGATAd in susceptible larvae reduced the expression of PxmALP and susceptibility to Cry1Ac toxin. Suppressing PxMAP4K4 expression in the resistant larvae transiently recovered both the expression of PxGATAd and PxmALP, indicating that the PxGATAd is a positive responsive factor involved in the activation of PxmALP promoter and negatively regulated by the MAPK signaling pathway. Overall, this study deciphers an intricate regulatory mechanism of PxmALP gene expression and highlights the concurrent involvement of both trans-regulatory factors and cis-acting elements in Cry1Ac resistance development in lepidopteran insects.
Costs of mass drug administration for scabies in Fiji
Authors: Mow Maria , Thean Li Jun , Parnaby Matthew , Mani Jyotishna , Rafai Eric , Sahukhan Aalisha , Kama Mike , Tuicakau Meciusela , Kado Joseph , Romani Lucia , Engelman Daniel , Whitfeld Margot , Kaldor John , Steer Andrew , Carvalho Natalie
Published: February 2022

In 2019, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services carried out an integrated mass drug administration (MDA) for the treatment of scabies and lymphatic filariasis in the Northern Division of Fiji (population estimate 131,914). We conducted a retrospective micro-costing exercise focused on the cost of scabies control in order to inform budgeting and policy decision making in an endemic setting. We collected detailed information on financial and economic costs incurred by both parties during the course of the MDA campaign (April 2018 to July 2019). We also conducted interviews with personnel involved in the financial administration of the MDA campaign. The economic cost of delivering two doses of ivermectin was US$4.88 per person. The cost of donated drugs accounted for 36.3% of total MDA costs. In this first large-scale MDA for the public health control of scabies, the estimated cost of delivering MDA per person for scabies was considerably more expensive than the costs reported for other neglected tropical diseases. The important cost drivers included the remuneration of health care workers who were extensively involved in the campaign, coverage of hard-to-reach, mainly rural populations and the two-dose regimen of ivermectin. These results highlight the importance of these cost determinants and can be used to plan current and future MDA programs.
Hidden fraction of Polish population immune to SARS-CoV-2 in May 2021
Authors: Budziar Wiktoria , Gembara Katarzyna , Harhala Marek , Szymczak Aleksander , Jędruchniewicz Natalia , Baniecki Krzysztof , Pikies Aleksandra , Nahorecki Artur , Hoffmann Agnieszka , Kardaś Amelia , Szewczyk-Dąbrowska Alina , Klimek Tomasz , Kaźmierczak Zuzanna , Witkiewicz Wojciech , Barczyk Kamil , Dąbrowska Krystyna
Published: February 2022

Population immunity (herd immunity) to SARS-CoV-2 derives from two sources: vaccinations or cases of infection with the virus. Infections can be diagnosed as COVID-19 and registered, or they can be asymptomatic, oligosymptomatic, or even full-blown but undiagnosed and unregistered when patients recovered at home. Estimation of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is difficult and remains a subject of speculations. Here we present a population screening for SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgA antibodies in Polish citizens (N = 501) who had never been positively diagnosed with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. Serum samples were collected in Wrocław (Lower Silesia) on 15th and 22nd May 2021. Sera from hospitalized COVID-19 patients (N = 22) or from vaccinated citizens (N = 14) served as positive controls. Sera were tested with Microblot-Array COVID-19 IgG and IgA (quantitative) that contain specific SARS-CoV-2 antigens: NCP, RBD, Spike S2, E, ACE2, PLPro protein, and antigens for exclusion cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses: MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, HCoV 229E Np, HCoV NL63 Np. Within the investigated population of healthy individuals who had never been positively diagnosed with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, we found that 35.5% (178 out of 501) were positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and 52.3% (262 out of 501) were positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific IgA; 21.2% of the investigated population developed virus-specific IgG or IgA while being asymptomatic. Anti-RBD IgG, which represents virus-neutralizing potential, was found in 25.6% of individuals (128 out of 501). These patients, though positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, cannot be identified in the public health system as convalescents due to undiagnosed infections, and they are considered unaffected by SARS-CoV-2. Their contribution to population immunity against COVID-19 should however be considered in predictions and modeling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of note, the majority of the investigated population still lacked anti-RBD IgG protection (74.4%); thus vaccination against COVID-19 is still of the most importance for controlling the pandemic.
Nano-insecticides against the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Toxicity, development, enzyme activity, and DNA mutagenicity
Authors: Awad Mona , Ibrahim El-Desoky S. , Osman Engy I. , Elmenofy Wael H. , Mahmoud Abdel Wahab M. , Atia Mohamed A. M. , Moustafa Moataz A. M.
Published: February 2022

Frequent applications of synthetic insecticides might cause environmental pollution due to the high residue. In addition, increasing insecticide resistance in many insect pests requires novel pest control methods. Nanotechnology could be a promising field of modern agriculture, and is receiving considerable attention in the development of novel nano-agrochemicals, such as nanoinsectticides and nanofertilizers. This study assessed the effects of the lethal and sublethal concentrations of chlorantraniliprole, thiocyclam, and their nano-forms on the development, reproductive activity, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and DNA changes in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, at the molecular level. The results revealed that A. ipsilon larvae were more susceptible to the nano-forms than the regular forms of both nano chlorine and sulfur within the chlorantraniliprole and thiocyclam insecticides, respectively, with higher toxicities than the regular forms (ca. 3.86, and ca.2.06-fold, respectively). Significant differences in biological parameters, including developmental time and reproductive activity (fecundity and hatchability percent) were also observed. Correspondingly, increases in oxidative stress enzyme activities were observed, as were mutagenic effects on the genomic DNA of A. ipsilon after application of the LC50 of the nano-forms of both insecticides compared to the control. These promising results could represent a crucial step toward developing efficient nanoinsecticides for sustainable control of A. ipsilon.
A field-based general framework to simulate fluids in parallel and the framework’s application to a matrix acidization simulation
Authors: Wu Yuanqing , Sun Shuyu
Published: February 2022

On the basis of numerous fluid simulation experiences, researchers have discovered that many common operations can be abstracted to form a general fluid simulation framework. These operations include the discretization of equations and variables, the computation of the coefficients, the assembly of the linear or nonlinear systems, the solving of the systems, etc. Furthermore, all of the operations can be attributed to the operations “in the field”, which is an abstract concept derived from the equations and variables. Thus, fluid simulations can be performed under a field-based general framework. Moreover, in response to the urgent need for large-scale fluid simulations, parallelism is integrated into the framework. Due to the convenience of the field operations, parallelization of the framework can be realized on both the OpenMP and MPI levels. In other words, because of the newly defined “fields”, a series of operations in fluid simulations can be simplified and unified. However, very few studies have noted this advantage, and therefore, this work attempts to fill the void. With the help of a field-based general framework, it is anticipated that the parallel codes of fluid simulations can be generated easily and quickly. As an application of the general framework, a parallel 3D simulator for matrix acidization called Masor is developed. The simulation results are regarded as physically reasonable by many studies, which verifies the correctness and effectiveness of the general framework. In addition, it is noteworthy that the parallel performance of Masor is decided by a solver.