bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Carotenoid‐based plumage colour saturation increases with temperature in Australian passerines
Authors: Prasetya Audrey Miranda , Peters Anne , Delhey Kaspar
Published: September 2020

Aim

Birds are often coloured yellow, olive, orange or red by carotenoids, which are plant pigments that are ingested with food. Here we test whether there are consistent patterns of intraspecific geographic variation in male carotenoid‐based plumage coloration linked to latitude, temperature, precipitation and primary productivity. It has been suggested that patterns of geographic variation should be different for yellow, compared to the metabolically derived red carotenoid‐based coloration, but this has not been tested.

Location

Australia.

Taxa

Forty‐nine randomly selected species of Australian passerine birds (Passeriformes), 30 with yellow and 19 with red carotenoid‐based plumage coloration.

Methods

Carotenoid‐based plumage patches of male museum specimens were measured using reflectance spectrometry, and spectra analysed using models of avian colour vision. For each species, we used linear models to determine whether geographic variation in carotenoid‐based colour correlated with latitude, temperature, precipitation or primary productivity. To determine whether effects are consistent across species, we used phylogenetic meta‐analyses.

Results

Although spatial environmental effects on carotenoid‐based plumage coloration varied across species, overall, species tended to have more saturated carotenoid‐based coloration at lower latitudes, and warmer regions. These effects applied mainly to resident species (as opposed to migratory or nomadic) and were stronger for red compared to yellow carotenoid‐based colours. We found no consistent effects of precipitation or primary productivity.

Main conclusions

Geographic variation in male carotenoid‐based plumage coloration of Australian passerines is unlikely to be caused by variation in plant productivity (the ultimate source of carotenoids), and may be better explained by latitudinal gradients in the intensity of sexual selection or predation risk. Alternatively, temperature effects on red carotenoid‐based coloration may be driven by the hypothesized link between carotenoid and cellular metabolism. Latitudinal and temperature effects have the potential to generate perceivable differences in coloration across realistic spatial scales, contributing to divergence in visual signals.
Combined inner and outer loop feedback in an intelligent tutoring system for statistics in higher education
Authors: Tacoma Sietske , Drijvers Paul , Jeuring Johan
Published: September 2020

Intelligent tutoring systems (ITSs) can provide inner loop feedback about steps within tasks, and outer loop feedback about performance on multiple tasks. While research typically addresses these feedback types separately, many ITSs offer them simultaneously. This study evaluates the effects of providing combined inner and outer loop feedback on social sciences students' learning process and performance in a first‐year university statistics course. In a 2 x 2 factorial design (elaborate inner loop vs. minimal inner loop and outer loop vs. no outer loop feedback) with 521 participants, the effects of both feedback types and their combination were assessed through multiple linear regression models. Results showed mixed effects, depending on students' prior knowledge and experience, and no overall effects on course performance. Students tended to use outer loop feedback less when also receiving elaborate inner loop feedback. We therefore recommend introducing feedback types one by one and offering them for substantial periods of time.
CtBP1 promotes tumour‐associated macrophage infiltration and progression in non–small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Zhenxing , Zhao Yan , Xu Hongyan , Liang Feihai , Zou Qingxu , Wang Chen , Jiang Jingyuan , Lin Fengwu
Published: September 2020

The progression of lung cancer is majorly facilitated by TAMs (tumour‐associated macrophages). However, how the TAMs infiltrate the NSCLC microenvironment and the associated biochemical are not fully elaborated. Research has revealed that changes in CtBP1 modulates innate immunity. Here, we investigated if CtBP1 facilitates infiltration of TAM and the subsequent progression of NSCLC. Immunohistochemical analysis was carried out in 96 NSCLC patients to estimate the clinicopathological importance of CtBP1 in the disease. CtBP1 overexpression and knockdown were carried out to assess the activity of CtBP1 in NSCLC cells. Elevated expression of CtBP1 correlated positively with TAMs infiltration into NSCLC tissues, induced EMT (epithelial‐mesenchymal transition) in NSCLC cells and modulated the activated NF‐κB signalling pathway leading to increase in CCL2 secretion from NSCLC cells, thus promoting TAM recruitment and polarization. TAM induction and polarization reduced significantly on exhausting p65 in NSCLC cells with CtBP1. Moreover, infiltration of TMAs was reduced remarkably on antagonist‐mediated blocking of CCR2 and impeded the progression of NSCLC in a mouse model. These findings thus show a novel insight into the process of CtBP1‐regulated TAM infiltration in NSCLC.
PLA2G16 is a mutant p53/KLF5 transcriptional target and promotes glycolysis of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Xia Wei , Bai Hansong , Deng Ying , Yang Yi
Published: September 2020

PLA2G16 is a member of the phospholipase family that catalyses the generation of lysophosphatidic acids (LPAs) and free fatty acids (FFAs) from phosphatidic acid. In the current study, we explored the functional role of PLA2G16 in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and the genetic/epigenetic alterations leading to its dysregulation. Bioinformatic analysis was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Genotype‐Tissue Expression (GTEx) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA). Then, PANC‐1 and MIA‐PaCa‐2 cells harbouring TP53 mutations were used for cellular and animal studies. Results showed that PL2G16 expression was significantly up‐regulated in PAAD tissue and was associated with unfavourable survival. PLA2G16 inhibition suppressed pancreatic cell growth in vitro and in vivo and also inhibited aerobic glycolysis. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that KLF5 was positively correlated with PLA2G16 expression in PAAD tumours with TP53 mutation. TP53 or KLF5 inhibition significantly reduced PLA2G16 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Dual‐luciferase and chromatin Immunoprecipitation‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays showed that KLF5 directly bound to the PLA2G16 promoter and activated its transcription. Co‐immunoprecipitation assay indicated that mutant p53 had a physical interaction with KLF5. Inhibition of mutant p53 impaired the transcriptional activating effects of KLF5. In PAAD cases in TCGA, PLA2G16 expression was positively correlated with its copy number (Pearson's r = 0.51, P < 0.001), but was strongly and negatively correlated with the methylation level of cg09518969 (Pearson's r = −0.64, P < 0.001), a 5’‐cytosine‐phosphodiester bond‐guanine‐3’ site within its gene locus. In conclusion, this study revealed a novel mutant p53/KLF5‐PLA2G16 regulatory axis on tumour growth and glycolysis in PAAD.
Spatio‐temporal partitioning and sharing of parasitoids by fall armyworm and maize stemborers in Cameroon
Authors: Abang Albert F. , Fotso Kuate Apollin , Nanga Nanga Samuel , Okomo Esi Rosa M. , Ndemah Rose , Masso Cargele , Fiaboe Komi K. M. , Hanna Rachid
Published: September 2020

Biological invasion is a global concern with species deployed out of native range, the most recent in Africa being the invasion by fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). One of the most mentioned ecological consequences is the capacity of invaders to change native communities' structure. Busseola fusca Fuller (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has long been the most destructive pests of maize in Africa. Few or no studies have attempted to look at the interaction between FAW and native maize pests over a cropping cycle for sustainable management. Maize trials were established over two cropping cycles in Cameroon to investigate the nature of such interactions and eventual sharing of parasitoids. FAW incidence decreased with maize growth, while the reverse was observed for stemborers. Few cases of co‐occurrence were recorded at the later maize growth stage. There was a clear indication that FAW infestation was associated with vegetative stages, while stemborers were associated with reproductive stages. Only FAW eggs were found on abaxial and adaxial leaf surfaces, while only stemborer eggs were inside leaf sheaths. Similarly, while larvae of both groups were found in maize whorl and on ears, only FAW larvae were found in closed tassels, while only stemborers were found inside stems. These results are in favour of segregation in time and space in plant colonization by native and invasive pests, which may limit competition and exacerbates damage if no control is provided. The same egg, larval and pupal parasitoids respectively Telenomus remus, Cotesia icipe and Procerochasmias nigromaculatus emerged from isolated FAW and B. fusca eggs, larvae, and pupae. The sharing of parasitoids by both species provides a unique opportunity for augmentative biocontrol.
Enablers and challenges to pharmacy practice change in Kuwait hospitals: a qualitative exploration of pharmacists’ perceptions
Authors: Katoue Maram Gamal
Published: September 2020

Rationale, aims, and objectives

The practice of hospital pharmacists in many developing countries has been changing to include the delivery of direct patient care services, but practice change can be a challenging process. This article explores the perceptions of hospital pharmacists in Kuwait about the enablers and challenges to expanding their scope of practice to include direct patient care.

Methods

A phenomenological qualitative approach was employed to conduct focus group interviews to explore pharmacists’ perceptions about their professional practice at different hospitals across Kuwait. Data were collected from 110 pharmacists using 11 focus group interviews. The interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using framework analysis.

Results

The practice of most hospital pharmacists includes limited direct patient care role. However, a growing number of pharmacists have been introducing clinical pharmacy services at hospitals. Three themes about enablers to practice change emerged from data: (a) increasing physicians’ acceptance to pharmacists’ role in patient care, (b) patients’ trust in pharmacists’ knowledge about medications, and (c) pharmacists’ perceived benefits of providing direct patient care. These benefits includes enhancing patients’ safety and adherence to therapy and improving the professional identity of pharmacists. Participants’ perceived challenges to practice change include professional, individual, and organizational challenges. Most participants welcomed assuming direct patient care role. They agreed that pharmacists need to receive adequate education and training and to be equipped with a clinical degree to responsibly provide direct patient care services at hospitals.

Conclusions

Pharmacists have been increasingly attempting to provide clinical pharmacy services in Kuwait hospitals. This qualitative data revealed breadth of challenges hindering pharmacists’ attempts to expand their professional practice to include direct patient care role. It also outlines facets of improvement and enablers to practice change. The collaboration between different stakeholders in the profession is essential to support pharmacists’ efforts in achieving the change in the scope of pharmacy practice to improve patient care services.
The unknown diversity of the genus Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) in the Chocó biogeographic region, Colombian Andes: Two new species supported by morphological and molecular data
Authors: Agudelo‐Zamora Henry D. , Tavera José , Murillo Yiskar D. , Ortega‐Lara Armando
Published: September 2020

Two new species of Characidium, C. tatama and C. dule, are described from the biogeographic Chocó region in western Colombia. Both new species are supported by both morphological and molecular data. C. tatama from the San Juan River in the Pacific and C. dule from the Atrato River in the Caribbean portion of Colombia are both distributed in the upper and lower portions of these basins. An extensive comparison with other trans‐ and cis‐Andean species of Characidium was made, in addition to species delimitation, using COI sequences by distinct methods (GMYC, ABGD, bPTP).
Heart rates of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar during a critical swim speed test and subsequent recovery
Authors: Hvas Malthe , Folkedal Ole , Oppedal Frode
Published: September 2020

In this study, heart rate (HR) bio‐loggers were implanted in the abdominal cavity of 12 post‐smolt Atlantic salmon Salmo salar weighing 1024 ± 31 g and acclimated to 12°C sea water. One week after the surgical procedure, a critical swim speed (Ucrit) test was performed on tagged and untagged conspecifics, whereafter tagged fish were maintained in their holding tanks for another week. The Ucrit was statistically similar between tagged and untagged fish (2.67 ± 0.04 and 2.74 ± 0.05 body lengths s−1, respectively) showing that the bio‐logger did not compromise the swimming performance. In the pre‐swim week, a diurnal cycle was apparent with HR peaking at 65 beats min−1 during the day and approaching 40 beats min−1 at night. In the Ucrit test, HR increased approximately exponentially with swimming speed until a plateau was reached at the final speed before fatigue with a maximum of 85.2 ± 0.7 beats min−1. During subsequent recovery tagged fish could be divided into a surviving group (N = 8) and a moribund group (N = 4). In surviving fish HR had fully recovered to pre‐swim levels after 24 h, including reestablishment of a diurnal HR cycle. In moribund fish HR never recovered and remained elevated at c. 80 beats min−1 for 4 days, whereafter they started dying. We did not identify a proximal cause of death in moribund fish, but possible explanations are discussed. Tail beat frequency (TBF) was also measured and showed a more consistent response to increased swimming speeds. As such, when exploring correlations between HR, TBF and metabolic rates at different swimming speeds, TBF provides better predictions. On the contrary, HR measurements in free swimming fish over extended periods of time are useful for other purposes such as assessing the accumulative burden of various stressors and recovery trajectories from exhaustive exercise.
A C‐type lectin with antibacterial activity in weather loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐Wen , Yang Cong‐Hui , Zhang Hong‐Quan , Pan Xin‐Tong , Jin Ze‐Yu , Zhang Hong‐Wei , Xia Xiao‐Hua
Published: September 2020

C‐type lectins are carbohydrate‐binding proteins that play important roles in immunity by serving as pattern recognition receptors. In the present study, a novel nattectin‐like C‐type lectin was obtained from the weather loach, Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, designated as MaCTL. MaCTL encodes a peptide with 165 amino acids, with a signal peptide and a single C‐type lectin domain (CTLD), containing a galactose‐specific QPD motif and a conserved Ca2+‐binding site. Transcripts of MaCTL were significantly upregulated after immune challenge with its pathogen A. hydrophila. In vitro assays with recombinant MaCTL protein revealed that it exhibited hemagglutinating and bacterial agglutinating activities, in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. MaCTL was found to bind to a wide range of bacteria, as well as bind to bacterial polysaccharides LPS and PGN. Moreover, MaCTL displayed antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the growth of bacteria. These results collectively suggest that MaCTL is involved in the antibacterial defence of weather loach.
A comparative study on the efficiency of two modeling approaches for predicting moisture content of apple slice during drying
Authors: Dalvi‐Isfahan Mohsen
Published: September 2020

The efficiency of two different modeling approaches for predicting moisture content of apple slices during drying were evaluated and compared. The experiments were performed at four air‐drying temperatures and at three levels of air velocity in the convective hot air dryer. Moisture content of apple during drying was predicted using theoretical model and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) models. The theoretical model was developed by solving heat and mass transfer equations simultaneously using numerical technique. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural network and radial basis function (RBF) network were used to develop neural network modeling. The agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical model predictions was quite good by considering the shrinkage dependent effective diffusivity in the model. Among different ANN structures, the best results were obtained for the MLP network with two hidden layers based on the statistical criteria (the coefficient of determination [R2] and mean squared error [MSE]). Although both two approaches could reasonably forecast the moisture content of apple slice during drying, the ANN model demonstrated better goodness of fit than theoretical model.

Practical application

Moisture content and water activity are important parameters in production of dried fruit, which have traditionally been measured by destructive and time‐consuming methods. Hence, quick tools are required to evaluate the moisture concentration and monitor changes during drying. Modeling can be considered as a helpful tool for prediction of moisture content as a function of time and space. The results of this study show that the two types of models can successfully predict changes in moisture content during drying. Applying these models at the commercial level can reduce variability in product quality and improve repeatability of the drying process.
Neural network and computational fluid dynamics modeling for the gelatinization kinetics of instant controlled pressure drop treated parboiled rice
Authors: Chakraborty Sourav , Gautam Swapnil Prashant , Bordoloi Tridisha , Hazarika Manuj Kumar
Published: September 2020

Effects of treatment pressure (TP) and treatment time (TT) on the degree of gelatinization (DG) and its impact on the quality attributes of instant controlled pressure drop (ICPD) treated parboiled rice were investigated. Water diffusion and gelatinization kinetics were established for controlling the quality attributes of parboiled rice. Fick's second law was implemented for the evaluation of water diffusion kinetics. DG was fitted with first order reaction kinetics, which showed a rising trend of reaction rate constant from 0.03 to 0.05 s−1 with the variation of TP. Simulation of gelatinization temperature front and its effect on the gelatinization kinetics were modeled by applying computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. Process modeling of DG as a function of TP, TT, and moisture content (MC) was accomplished on the basis of 3‐7‐1 artificial neural network (ANN) architecture. Parboiled rice treated at 0.6 MPa TP showed the best quality in terms of broken percentage, ease of cooking, micro‐structural characteristics, and improved cooking and pasting properties.

Practical application

Instant controlled pressure drop (ICPD) treated parboiling process is an innovative approach for producing rice with improved quality attributes. Investigation of water diffusion and gelatinization kinetics is a vital aspect in order to control the milling quality of ICPD treated parboiled rice. Further, mapping of gelatinization temperature front is also necessary in order to control DG with the variation of ICPD treatment pressure and time. Therefore, this study was conducted to enumerate the effects of water diffusion and gelatinization kinetics on the quality attributes of ICPD treated parboiled rice.
Effect of simultaneous dual‐frequency ultrasound aided ethanolic pretreatment on drying kinetics, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and physicochemical properties of apple slices using pulsed vacuum dryer
Authors: Amanor‐Atiemoh Robert , Zhou Cunshan , Mujumdar Arun , Osae Richard , Taiye Mustapha Abdullateef , Wahia Hafida , Sampson Gilbert , Amoa‐Owusu Abigail , Ma Haile
Published: September 2020

This work aims at investigating effect of different pretreatments and varied temperature on the drying kinetics, bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, microstructure and functional group of apple slices using pulsed vacuum dryer. Pretreated apple slices (Ethanol, US + W, and US + E) dried at varied temperature (60, 70, and 80°C) were analyzed to determine total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH+), 2,2‐azino‐bis‐(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS+), color, microstructure and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The findings revealed that US + E pretreatment significantly (p < .05) decreased drying time (20–33.33%). Activation energy and moisture effective diffusivity were 17.60–29.86 kJ/mol and 1.52–3.60 × 10−8m2/s, respectively. Microstructure evaluation showed disruption of cells structure and microchannels formation but was more prominent in US + E pretreatment with noticeable larger pores and several microchannels. US + E pretreatment retained TPC (64.89–75.75 mg/100 g GAE dw), TFC (45.96–56.25 mg/100 g ER dw), DPPH+(66.85–73.34%) and ABTS+(62.58–71.17%) than Ethanol, US + W, and control and was further corroborated by the observed peaks as revealed by the FT‐IR spectroscopy. Color (L*,a*,b*, whiteness) was better retained by Ethanol and US + E pretreatments. US + E pretreatment decreased drying time and also preserved bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity and color of apple slices.

Practical application

Apples are popularly consumed fruits and confer various nutritional and health benefits to humans. Drying is the most common approach for apple processing and shelf life extension. However, drying often leads to a reduction in quality parameters as well as degradation of nutritional components of the apple. Novel pretreatment techniques like ultrasonic aided ethanolic pretreatment preceding to apple drying provides an added advantage over conventional drying methods in that it reduces dehydration time as a result of faster moisture removal, lowers energy consumption, improves process efficiency leading to industrial competiveness and it also preserves the nutritional and sensorial parameters of dried apple slices.
Evaluation of the effects of immersion thawing methods on quality of blueberries
Authors: Cao Xuehui , Zhang Fangfang , Zhu Danshi , Zhao Dongyu , Zhao Yuting , Li Jianrong
Published: September 2020

The changes on food quality during thawing process has attracted significant attention of the frozen food industry. The effects of immersion thawing on the quality changes of blueberries were investigated. Blueberries were stored in freezing temperature for 3 days after quick freezing, and then, they were thawed using four methods: water immersion thawing (WIT), sugar immersion thawing (SIT), ultrasound‐assisted water immersion thawing (UAWIT), and ultrasound‐assisted sugar immersion thawing (UASIT). Later, texture profile, physiochemical characteristics, and sensory evaluation analysis were conducted to evaluate quality changes of blueberry after thawing. The thawing procedure employed significantly affected the quality of fruits. The shortest duration for total thawing was observed for the UASIT process. The anthocyanins and total solid content were better retained when blueberries were thawed using SIT and UASIT processes. There was no benefit of using UASIT with respect to protecting the blueberry tissue structure. However, the consumer acceptability of blueberries was not significantly difference among the four thawing conditions. Each method had advantages and disadvantages, and we should choose the suitable means according to consumer and production demand.

Practical application

This work was aimed at determining if there were any changes on the quality of blueberries when subjected to various thawing treatments. The sugar immersion thawing could be beneficial to nutrient retention in the freezing and thawing processing of fruits.
Effect of continuous nursing based on wechat platform on postoperative rehabilitation of patients with lumbar disc herniation
Authors: He Qiuxia , Zhao Jiehua , Fan Maoping , Wang Feifei
Published: September 2020

Objective

The present randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the effect of continuous nursing based on wechat platform on postoperative rehabilitation of patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods

A total of 95 patients with LDH who underwent surgery in Suzhou BenQ Medical Center from March 2, 2016 to June 23, 2018 were enrolled and randomly divided into the control group (routine continuous nursing) and the study group (continuous nursing based on wechat platform). During the follow‐up, the patients’ compliance and the effectiveness were recorded. The 36‐Item Short‐Form Health Survey scale (SF‐36 score) was used to evaluate quality of life. The spinal nerve function was evaluated with Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) score while the lumbar function was determined with Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI).

Results

There were 48 patients in the control group and 47 patients in the study group. The results showed that the compliance rate of the study group was 89.36%, significantly higher than that of the control group (60.42%). The effective rate of the study group was 95.74%, significantly higher than that of the control group (81.25%). Further, continuous nursing based on wechat platform brought more obvious improvement in the SF‐36 scores as well as the JOA score and ODI.

Conclusion

The compliance rate and the effectiveness rate of patients received continuous nursing based on wechat platform were higher than those of patients who received routine continuous nursing, which further brought more obvious improvement in the quality of life as well as the JOA scores and ODI.
Hybrid phase equilibria modelling with conventional and trace element thermobarometry to assess the P–T evolution of UHT granulites: An example from the Highland Complex, Sri Lanka
Authors: Dharmapriya Prasanna L. , Malaviarachchi Sanjeewa P. K. , Galli Andrea , Kriegsman Leo M. , Osanai Yasuhito , Sajeev K. , Su Ben‐Xun , Tsunogae Toshiaki , Zhang Chengli , Adachi Tatsuro , Dissanayake Chandrasekara B. , Subasinghe Nalaka Deepal
Published: September 2020

Here we attempt to constrain the P–T evolution of ultrahigh‐temperature granulites using textures coupled with multiple thermobarometric approaches. Sapphirine‐bearing granulites were collected from a quarry in the central part of the Highland Complex of Sri Lanka. Three sapphirine‐bearing domains were selected and petrographically studied. Homogeneous sample domains were thermodynamically modelled using their bulk compositions (forward phase equilibria modelling). One heterogeneous sample from a single domain, composed of irregularly distributed residuum and melt, was also used. The bulk composition of its residual part was calculated using mineral compositions and their respective modes. Equilibrium T–X(Fe2O3) phase diagrams were constructed in the chemical system NCKFMASHTO to estimate the bulk ferric/ferrous iron ratio, and conventional geothermometers (garnet–orthopyroxene and Al in orthopyroxene) were applied. The Ti in zircon trace element thermometer was also applied to calculate peak metamorphic conditions. Modal abundance isopleths of each mineral in equilibrium phase diagrams and textural observations were combined to constrain the retrograde P–T path. Our hybrid approach of forward and inverse phase equilibria modelling and conventional thermobarometric calculations indicate that the sapphirine‐bearing granulites have reached their peak T of 920–940°C at P ~10 kbar under relatively highly oxidizing conditions. Subsequently, the rocks followed a near‐isobaric cooling path down to 890–860°C, prior to near‐isothermal decompression up to 6 kbar. The results highlight the importance of dealing with Fe3+. Multiple thermobarometric approaches on carefully observed mineral textures are required to retrieve the most reliable P–T conditions of HT/UHT mineral assemblages.
Effects of ovariectomy on inputs from the medial preoptic area to the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus of young adult rats
Authors: Pereira Laís da Silva , Gobbo Denise Ribeiro , Ferreira Jozélia Gomes Pacheco , Horta‐Junior José de Anchieta de Castro e , Sá Susana Isabel , Bittencourt Jackson Cioni
Published: September 2020

Puberty is an important phase of development when the neural circuit organization is transformed by sexual hormones, inducing sexual dimorphism in adult behavioural responses. The principal brain area responsible for the control of the receptive component of female sexual behaviour is the ventrolateral division of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMHvl), which is known for its dependency on ovarian hormones. Inputs to the VMHvl originating from the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) are responsible for conveying essential information that will trigger such behaviour. Here, we investigated the pattern of the projection of the MPN to the VMHvl in rats ovariectomized at the onset of puberty. Sprague Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) at puberty and then subjected to iontophoretic injections of the neuronal anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin into the MPN once they reached 90 days of age. This study analysed the connectivity pattern established between the MPN and the VMH that is involved in the neuronal circuit responsible for female sexual behaviour in control and OVX rats. The data show the changes in the organization of the connections observed in the OVX adult rats that displayed a reduced axonal length for the MPN fibres reaching the VMHvl, suggesting that peripubertal ovarian hormones are relevant to the organization of MPN connections with structures involved in the promotion of female sexual behaviour.
The Effect of Expanded Parental Benefits on Union Dissolution
Authors: Margolis Rachel , Choi Youjin , Holm Anders , Mehta Nirav
Published: September 2020

Objective

The aim of the study was to examine whether gender equality‐focused parental benefits affect the union stability of couples.

Background

Generous, flexible, and gender equality‐focused parental benefits have been shown to increase fathers' use of parental leave and time with children. Even though these policies have no explicit aims regarding relationship stability, two longstanding theoretical perspectives (traditionalist and egalitarian) offer potential mechanisms through which this type of policy can shift relationship dynamics either to increase or to decrease union dissolution.

Method

Using Canadian administrative data, we estimate difference‐in‐differences and local average treatment effects to examine the effects of the Québec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP 2006) on union dissolution. Then we examine whether the policy had heterogenous effects on couples which are likely to be either traditional or egalitarian.

Results

We find that QPIP decreased the separation rate by half of a percentage point overall, a 6% decrease. The greatest reductions in union dissolution are found among couples likely to be more egalitarian in orientation.

Conclusion

The large negative effects of this family policy on union dissolution are significant, as they show one clear way in which family policies can encourage egalitarianism and stabilize families during the second phase of the gender revolution.
COVID‐19 and Ischemic Stroke: Clinical and Neuroimaging Findings
Authors: Naval‐Baudin Pablo , Rodriguez Caamaño Isabel , Rubio‐Maicas Cecilia , Pons‐Escoda Albert , Fernández Viñas Maria Montserrat , Nuñez Ana , Cardona Pere , Majos Carles , Cos Monica , Calvo Nahum
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

SARS‐CoV‐2 causes multiorgan disease due to altered coagulability and microangiopathy. Patients may have an increased risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). Our objective was to analyze clinical and neuroimaging characteristics of patients with ischemic CVA during the pandemic peak in our region, in order to identify atypical presentations.

METHODS

We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of patients admitted under code‐stroke protocol to our center with a final diagnosis of ischemic brain infarction. We analyzed the main imaging and demographic characteristics and reviewed neuroimaging for atypical presentations.

RESULTS

One‐hundred patients with confirmed ischemic CVA were included. Nineteen had positive polymerase chain reaction testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 on admission. These patients had a lower prevalence of proximal arterial occlusion on imaging, higher in‐hospital mortality, and worse baseline disability. No differences were identified in affected vascular territory, volume of infarction, initial CT stroke score, prevalence of hemorrhagic transformation, gender, age, cardiovascular risk factors, time to admission, symptom severity on entry, or decision to treat with thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. Prevalence of COVID‐19 in our code‐stroke sample was higher than that for our province during this time period.

CONCLUSION

The COVID‐19 group had more in‐hospital mortality, less proximal arterial occlusion on CT or MR angiography, and lower baseline modified Rankin Scale score. We suggest a possibly higher proportion of microangiopathic involvement or undetected distal large‐vessel occlusion in the COVID‐19 stroke group. Excess mortality was explained by severe respiratory failure. Otherwise, stroke patients with COVID‐19 did not differ demographically or clinically from those without the illness.
Expectations of Social Consequences Impact Anticipated Involvement in Health‐Risk Behavior During Adolescence
Authors: Andrews Jack L. , Mills Kathryn L. , Flournoy John C. , Flannery Jessica E. , Mobasser Arian , Ross Garrett , Durnin Maureen , Peake Shannon , Fisher Philip A. , Pfeifer Jennifer H.
Published: September 2020

This study examined how individual differences in expectations of social consequences relate to individuals’ expected involvement in health‐risk behaviors (HRBs). A total of 122 adolescents (aged 11–17) reported their expected involvement in a number of risk behaviors and whether or not they expect to be liked more or less by engaging in the behavior: the expected social benefit. Higher perceived social benefit was associated with higher anticipated involvement in said behavior. This relationship was stronger for adolescents who reported a higher degree of peer victimization, supporting the hypothesis that experiencing victimization increases the social value of peer interactions. Findings suggest that adolescents incorporate expectations of social consequences when making decisions regarding their involvement in HRBs.
Embedding clinical audit into everyday practice: Essential methodology for all clinicians
Authors: Skull Sue
Published: September 2020

Clinical audits should underpin everything we do as clinicians – to constantly evaluate and improve our day‐to‐day clinical practice. Errors in practice, suboptimal practice or inefficiencies can occur in any part of our health‐care system, despite the training and best intentions of health‐care professionals. Audits examine how clinical care is being provided and whether benchmarks are being met, and identify opportunities for improvement. Detection of problems is greatly improved when audits of practice are undertaken, ideally regularly, and as part of a continuous process of quality improvement. Audits also make ideal entry‐level research projects for students and trainees through to senior clinicians. Despite a willingness to undertake audits, and improvements in both undergraduate and postgraduate training, not all clinicians have had formal teaching in audit methodology, and a refresher can also be helpful. This short overview covers basic clinical audit methods, discusses key facilitators for embedding audit into every day practice, and references additional resources to guide clinicians wanting to take up the challenge of regularly and efficiently undertaking audits.
Paediatric periorbital cellulitis: A 10‐year retrospective case series review
Authors: Murphy Declan C , Meghji Sheneen , Alfiky Mohamed , Bath Andrew P
Published: September 2020

Aim

To identify the predictors of poor outcome and need for surgical management in paediatric patients with periorbital cellulitis. To assess the adherence to local guidelines in the management of periorbital cellulitis.

Methods

Retrospective descriptive analysis of clinical, laboratory and radiological characteristics of 175 paediatric periorbital cellulitis presentations at a UK teaching hospital over a 10‐year period. Regression investigated correlations for continuous and categorical variables.

Results

A total of 175 paediatric presentations were diagnosed as periorbital infections over the 10‐year period. Of these, 139 had pre‐septal cellulitis, 27 had a subperiosteal abscess, 6 had an orbital cellulitis, 1 had an orbital abscess, 1 a cavernous sinus thrombosis and 1 an extradural abscess. Median age at presentation was 5 years (range: 1 month–17 years). In total, 169 (97%) cases received systemic antimicrobial treatment. Cross‐sectional imaging occurred in 30% of cases and 18% required surgical intervention. Increasing C‐reactive protein was associated with greater risk of post‐septal disease and requiring surgery. The best predictors of post‐septal disease in the multivariate analysis (R2= 0.49,P= ≤0.001) were ophthalmoplegia (P= 0.009), proptosis (P= 0.016) and pain on eye movement (P= 0.046). Proptosis was the single most significant predictor of surgical management (R2= 0.53,P= <0.001).

Conclusion

Multidisciplinary involvement and early medical management can improve outcomes for most patients. Those who deteriorate despite medical management should be considered for prompt imaging and surgical management to avoid serious life‐threatening or sight‐threatening complications.
Small‐area socioeconomic status and children's oral health in a safety‐net care delivery setting
Authors: Rubin Marcie S. , Clouston Sean A. P. , Edelstein Burton L.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To better understand the impact of small‐area socioeconomic status (SES) on caries experience and sealant presence among children receiving services through a comprehensive community‐based safety‐net oral health program.

Methods

Census‐tract level household data from the American Community Survey was utilized to construct an index that reflects the small‐area socioeconomic environments in which children receive oral health services. This area SES index was entered into a logistic model with sociodemographic participant data collected by the community‐based oral health program to consider its association with outcomes (caries and sealant experience) at first program visit, among children older and younger than 5 years.

Results

Among poor children older than 5 years of age, higher census‐tract level SES was associated with lesser caries experience and greater sealant experience at presentation for care to a community‐based oral health program. Each standard deviation increase in census‐tract level SES index was associated with reduced odds of any caries experience (aOR = 0.92; 95 percent CI 0.85, 0.99; P = 0.021) and increased odds of sealants (aOR = 1.20; 95 percent CI 1.05, 1.37; P = 0.009). Among children 5 years and under, only grade was associated with both outcomes.

Conclusions

Within an inner city area of poverty, the greater a census tract's socioeconomic risks to health, the greater the odds that children over age five experience caries and the lesser their odds of having dental sealants. While associations between SES and oral health outcomes across the full spectrum of SES have been recognized, this study suggests that within lower SES areas, SES‐associated gradients exist in children's oral health.
Shikonin ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) via immunomodulatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidative activity
Authors: Nasrollahzadeh Sabet Mehrdad , Biglari Sajjad , Khorram Khorshid Hamid Reza , Esmaeilzadeh Emran
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Multiple sclerosis is a common autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. There are several underlying mechanisms for the pathogenesis of the disease, including inflammation, oligodendrocyte apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Methods

The mechanism of action of shikonin was investigated in the C57BL/6 experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of multiple sclerosis.

Key findings

The results revealed that EAE induction significantly increased the extent of demyelination in the corpus callosum tissues of the animals, while treatment of the mice with shikonin significantly decreased the extent of demyelination. Real-time polymerase chain reaction-based analysis of the brain samples from the EAE mice revealed significant enhancement in the expression levels of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and Bax genes as well as a reduction in the expression levels of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-β) and Bcl2. But, shikonin treatment significantly reduced the expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and Bax. On the other hand, the expression levels of TGF-β and Bcl2 as well as the activity of glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) enzyme were significantly increased following the shikonin treatment.

Conclusions

This study emphasized the immune-modulatory and antioxidative effects of shikonin, which may have an important healing effect on the severity of EAE.
Umbelliprenin relieves paclitaxel-induced neuropathy
Authors: Shahraki Jafar , Rezaee Ramin , Mohammadzehi Kenar Sabereh , Setoodeh Nezhad Samaneh , Bagheri Gholamreza , Jahantigh Hosseinali , Tsarouhas Konstantinos , Hashemzaei Mahmoud
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Umbelliprenin (UMB) is a prenylated coumarin that acts as an in vitro antioxidant and inhibits lipoxygenase managing the inflammation pathways, while in vivo it exerts anti-inflammatory activities.

Methods

In this study, neuropathic pain was induced by four intraperitoneal doses of 2 mg/kg per day of paclitaxel (PTX) on days 1, 3, 5 and 7. Here, 49 male mice were randomly divided in the following groups: sham (not treated animals), negative control (PTX-treated receiving normal saline), single-dose UMB 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg groups (PTX-treated receiving UMB 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg, respectively), prevention (PTX-treated receiving PTX along with UMB 12.5 mg/kg on days 1, 3, 5 and 7) and positive control group (PTX-treated receiving imipramine 10 mg/kg as acute treatment). Hot-plate test was done to assess response to heat. Finally, interleukin (IL)-6 levels in the sciatic nerve and lipid peroxidation in sera were assessed.

Key findings

Umbelliprenin was found equally effective for acute treatment with imipramine, when comparing the prevention group and the positive control group. Single, 25 mg/kg UMB effectively attenuated hyperalgesia, lipid peroxidation and IL-6 levels.

Conclusions

Umbelliprenin alleviated neuropathic pain, and decreased serum IL-6 levels and oxidative stress. UMB deserves further investigations, especially in clinical settings.
“He Would Take My Shoes and All the Baby's Warm Winter Gear so We Couldn't Leave”: Barriers to Safety and Recovery Experienced by a Sample of Vermont Women With Partner Violence and Opioid Use Disorder Experiences
Authors: Stone Rebecca , Campbell Julia K. , Kinney Diane , Rothman Emily F.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This qualitative study explored themes about barriers to substance use treatment for women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and opioid use in rural Vermont. The goal was to collect descriptive information to aid in the development of intervention ideas to facilitate better treatment access for women in this situation.

Methods

One‐on‐one telephone interviews with 33 rural Vermont women who experienced both IPV and opioid use took place between February and August 2019.

Findings

There were 5 main themes that emerged as barriers to accessing needed services: (1) geographic isolation and transportation difficulties, (2) inaccessibility of existing services, (3) lack of integrated substance use treatment and domestic violence services, (4) social isolation, and (5) amplification of stigma in small rural communities.

Conclusions

Improved access to care and increased collaboration between IPV and substance use service providers are required to better serve rural communities in which IPV and opioid use disorder are concurrent problems.
Symmetric dimethylarginine concentrations in dogs with hypothyroidism before and after treatement with levothyroxine
Authors: Di Paola A. , Carotenuto G. , Dondi F. , Corsini A. , Corradini S. , Fracassi F.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the serum symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) and serum creatinine concentrations in a population of hypothyroid dogs at the time of diagnosis and after treatment.

Materials and Methods

Serum SDMA and serum creatinine were measured in serum samples of 24 healthy dogs and 24 hypothyroid dogs, at the time of diagnosis (T0) and after supplementation with levothyroxine (T1).

Results

The mean SDMA concentrations (reference intervals [RI] <18 μg/dL and <14 μg/dL depending on the source) were 11.7 ± 3.5 μg/dL, 13.8 ± 3.1 μg/dL and 11.83 ± 2.87 μg/dL in healthy dogs, and in the hypothyroid dogs at T0 and T1, respectively. The SDMA concentrations were higher in the hypothyroid dogs at T0 in comparison with the healthy dogs. Of the hypothyroid dogs, 1 out of 24 had an SDMA concentration above 18 μg/dL and 12 out of 24 above 14 μg/dL at T0. At T1, none of the hypothyroid dogs had SDMA concentrations above 18 μg/dL and two of them had SDMA concentrations above 14 μg/dL. The serum creatinine concentration was higher in the hypothyroid dogs at T0 as compared to the healthy dogs. At T0, 8 out of 24 hypothyroid dogs had serum creatinine concentrations above the RI (>1.4 mg/dL). In all but one dog, serum creatinine normalised after treatment.

Clinical Significance

The SDMA and serum creatinine concentrations were higher in hypothyroid dogs at diagnosis as compared to healthy dogs. Serum creatinine concentrations were increased in one‐third of the hypothyroid dogs and in the majority of cases normalised after levothyroxine supplementation. SDMA concentrations were rarely above the upper limit of the RI when the higest (<18 μg/dL) cut‐off was employed. The diagnostic accuracy of SDMA in dogs with thyroid dysfunction requires additional evaluation.