bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular and physiological characterization of Fusarium strains associated with different diseases in date palm
Authors: Saleh Amgad A. , Sharafaddin Anwar H. , El_Komy Mahmoud H. , Ibrahim Yasser E. , Hamad Younis K.
Published: July 2021

Several species of Fusarium cause serious diseases in date palm worldwide. In the present work, 14 SSR markers were used to assess the genetic variation of Fusarium strains isolated from diseased trees in Saudi Arabia. We also studied the effect of different temperatures on mycelial growth of these strains. The pathogenicity of four strains of F. proliferatum was also evaluated on local date palm cultivars. Eleven SSR markers amplified a total of 57 scorable alleles from Fusarium strains. Phylogenetic analysis showed that F. proliferatum strains grouped in one clade with 95% bootstrap value. Within F. proliferatum clade, 14 SSR genotypes were identified, 9 of them were singleton. Four out of the five multi-individual SSR genotypes contained strains isolated from more than one location. Most F. solani strains grouped in one clade with 95% bootstrap value. Overall, the SSR markers previously developed for F. verticillioides and F. oxysporum were very useful in assessing the genetic diversity and confirming the identity of Saudi Fusarium strains. The results from the temperature study showed significant differences in mycelial growth of Fusarium strains at different temperatures tested. The highest average radial growth for Fusarium strains was observed at 25°C, irrespective of species. The four F. proliferatum strains showed significant differences in their pathogenicity on date palm cultivars. It is anticipated that the assessment of genetic diversity, effect of temperature on hyphal growth and pathogenicity of potent pathogenic Fusarium strains recovered from date palm-growing locations in Saudi Arabia can help in effectively controlling these pathogens.
Measuring leadership an assessment of the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire
Authors: Batista-Foguet Joan Manuel , Esteve Marc , van Witteloostuijn Arjen
Published: July 2021

Although the most used measure of transformational leadership, the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), has been the subject of intense scrutiny among leadership scholars, little interest has been shown in analyzing the relationship between its underlying constructs and / or their measures. The present study identifies a formative factor structure for most MLQ first-order factors, replacing the usual reflective model. We demonstrate the value of this structure using data from two different samples. First, we applied the MLQ to a sample of 129 police officers from the Catalan Police workforce. Second, we ran an online survey with 300 US citizens. We argue that three second-order factors (transformational, transactional, and laissez faire) should be used as emergent aggregate multidimensional models to describe three different leadership styles, challenging the ubiquitous multidimensional latent models favored in the extant literature. We then propose that transformational/charismatic leadership should be treated as a multidimensional emergent profile model, replacing the leadership development order of precedence, which is dominant in modern leadership research.
Renovation priorities for old residential districts based on resident satisfaction: An application of asymmetric impact-performance analysis in Xi’an, China
Authors: Liu Yijun , Li Huimin , Li Wenlong , Wang Sunmeng
Published: July 2021

China is currently designing a regional economic layout for high-quality urban development, shifting its focus from the primary stage of beautifying cities to the next stage of profound urbanization aiming at strengthening industry. This is of high importance given that the urbanization rate of permanent residents by the end of 2019 was 60.60%, according to the National Bureau of Statistics of China. In the face of various factors such as the need to economize the intensive use of resources, urban stock development, and the need for urban constructions to maintain harmony with the surrounding ecosystem, regeneration has emerged as an efficient means to repurpose old residential districts. It conforms to the policy of stock planning and is one of the important methods to ensure the sustainable development of a city. Prioritizing the right attributes in renovation is one of the critical steps in the regeneration of old residential districts—instead of merely focusing on their selection and scoring by experts, more attention should be paid to the resident satisfaction (or the lack thereof) arising from them. Therefore, in this study, we have proposed a collaborative approach that requires communities to prioritize the appropriate aspects in urban renewal. This study employed the three-factor theory of customer satisfaction, to investigate the five attributes namely geographical location, infrastructure, traffic, residential management, and living facilities, of satisfaction and dissatisfaction of residents in the old city. This includes 327 samples based on the residents of Yanta old town in Xi’an. The asymmetric impact-performance analysis technique was used to explore, and quantify the asymmetric relationship between the attributes of old residential districts, and residents’ satisfaction. The results proved that attributes were divided into three: excitement factors, performance, and basic factors, based on the asymmetric influence of attributes on residents’ satisfaction. Residential management was into excitement factors, living facilities were categorized into basic factors, and the remaining three attributes were categorized into performance factors. The satisfaction of the residents regarding the renovation was maximized by comprehensively considering the performance of given attributes, adjusting the improvement strategies of each attribute, and further determining the focus of the renovation of the old residential districts. Simultaneously, it helped planners make more rational choices in urban renewal and sustainable development.
Genomic insights into methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolates from dogs and humans of the same sequence types reveals diversity in prophages and pathogenicity islands
Authors: Phumthanakorn Nathita , Schwendener Sybille , Donà Valentina , Chanchaithong Pattrarat , Perreten Vincent , Prapasarakul Nuvee
Published: July 2021

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus pseudintermedius(MRSP) is an important opportunistic pathogenic bacterium of dogs that also occasionally colonize and infect humans. However, whether MRSP can adapt to human hosts is not clear and whole genome sequences of MRSP from humans are still limited. Genomic comparative analyses of 3 couples of isolates from dogs (n = 3) and humans (n = 3) belonging to ST45, ST112, and ST181, the dominant clones in Thailand were conducted to determine the degree of similarities between human and animal MRSP of a same ST. Among eight prophages, three prophages associated with the leucocidins genes (lukF/S-I), φVB88-Pro1, φVB16-Pro1 and φAP20-Pro1, were distributed in the human MRSPs, while their remnants, φAH18-Pro1, were located in the dog MRSPs. A novel composite pathogenicity island, named SpPI-181, containing two integrase genes was identified in the ST181 isolates. The distribution of the integrase genes of the eight prophages and SpPI-181 was also analysed by PCR in 77 additional MRSP isolates belonging to different STs. The PCR screen revealed diversity in prophage carriage, especially in ST45 isolates. Prophage φAK9-Pro1 was only observed in ST112 isolates from dogs and SpPI-181 was found associated with ST181 clonal lineage. Among the 3 couple of isolates, ST45 strains showed the highest number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in their core genomes (3,612 SNPs). The genomic diversity of ST45 isolates suggested a high level of adaptation that may lead to different host colonization of successful clones. This finding provided data on the genomic differences of MRSP associated with colonization and adaption to different hosts.
Constitutive activation of NF-κB inducing kinase (NIK) in the mesenchymal lineage using Osterix (Sp7)- or Fibroblast-specific protein 1 (S100a4)-Cre drives spontaneous soft tissue sarcoma
Authors: Davis Jennifer L. , Thaler Roman , Cox Linda , Ricci Biancamaria , Zannit Heather M. , Wan Fei , Faccio Roberta , Dudakovic Amel , van Wijnen Andre J. , Veis Deborah J.
Published: July 2021

Aberrant NF-κB signaling fuels tumor growth in multiple human cancer types including both hematologic and solid malignancies. Chronic elevated alternative NF-κB signaling can be modeled in transgenic mice upon activation of a conditional NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) allele lacking the regulatoryTRAF3binding domain (NT3). Here, we report that expression ofNT3in the mesenchymal lineage withOsterix (Osx/Sp7)-CreorFibroblast-Specific Protein 1 (FSP1)-Crecaused subcutaneous, soft tissue tumors. These tumors displayed significantly shorter latency and a greater multiple incidence rate inFsp1-Cre;NT3compared toOsx-Cre;NT3mice, regardless of sex. Histological assessment revealed poorly differentiated solid tumors with some spindled patterns, as well as robust RelB immunostaining, confirming activation of alternative NF-κB. Even thoughNT3expression also occurs in the osteolineage inOsx-Cre;NT3mice, we observed no bony lesions. The staining profiles and pattern ofCreexpression in the two lines pointed to a mesenchymal tumor origin. Immunohistochemistry revealed that these tumors stain strongly for alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), although vimentin staining was uniform only inOsx-Cre;NT3tumors. Negative CD45 and S100 immunostains precluded hematopoietic and melanocytic origins, respectively, while positive staining for cytokeratin 19 (CK19), typically associated with epithelia, was found in subpopulations of both tumors. Principal component, differential expression, and gene ontology analyses revealed thatNT3tumors are distinct from normal mesenchymal tissues and are enriched for NF-κB related biological processes. We conclude that constitutive activation of the alternative NF-κB pathway in the mesenchymal lineage drives spontaneous sarcoma and provides a novel mouse model for NF-κB related sarcomas.
Feedback from retinal ganglion cells to the inner retina
Authors: Vlasiuk Anastasiia , Asari Hiroki
Published: July 2021

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are thought to be strictly postsynaptic within the retina. They carry visual signals from the eye to the brain, but do not make chemical synapses onto other retinal neurons. Nevertheless, they form gap junctions with other RGCs and amacrine cells, providing possibilities for RGC signals to feed back into the inner retina. Here we identified such feedback circuitry in the salamander and mouse retinas. First, using biologically inspired circuit models, we found mutual inhibition among RGCs of the same type. We then experimentally determined that this effect is mediated by gap junctions with amacrine cells. Finally, we found that this negative feedback lowers RGC visual response gain without affecting feature selectivity. The principal neurons of the retina therefore participate in a recurrent circuit much as those in other brain areas, not being a mere collector of retinal signals, but are actively involved in visual computations.
Perceived transcultural self-efficacy and its associated factors among nurses in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Berhanu Robera Demissie , Tesema Abebe Abera , Deme Mesfin Beharu , Kanfe Shuma Gosha
Published: July 2021

Background

Transcultural self-efficacy is a nurse’s perception of his or her own ability to accomplish activities effectively for culturally diverse clients. This self-efficacy may be affected by different factors, either positively or negatively. Quality care can be improved significantly when nurses provide patient-centered care that considers cultural background of the patients. Thus, this study aimed to assess perceived transcultural self-efficacy and its associated factors among nurses working at Jimma Medical Center.

Methods

Facility-based cross-sectional study with both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection was conducted among 244 nurses and 10 key informants from 20 May to 20 June 2020. Bivariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with transcultural self-efficacy. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed thematically. Quantitative results were integrated with qualitative results.

Results

A total of 236 nurses participated in the study making the response rate 96.7%. The mean transcultural self-efficacy score was 2.89 ± 0.59. Sex, work experience, intercultural communication, cultural sensitivity, interpersonal communication, and cultural motivation were significantly associated with transcultural self-efficacy. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted and the findings of qualitative data yielded four major themes.

Conclusion

The level of perceived transcultural self-efficacy was moderate among nurses. Transcultural self-efficacy of nurses varies with several factors including sex, experience, intercultural communication, cultural sensitivity, interpersonal communication, and cultural motivation. This calls for the need to offer transcultural nursing training for nurses.
Integrative bioinformatics approaches to map key biological markers and therapeutic drugs in Extramammary Paget’s disease of the scrotum
Authors: Noor Fatima , Saleem Muhammad Hamzah , Chen Jen-Tsung , Javed Muhammad Rizwan , Al-Megrin Wafa Abdullah , Aslam Sidra
Published: July 2021

Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD) is an intra-epidermal adenocarcinoma. Till now, the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of scrotal EMPD is poorly known. This present study aims to explore the knowledge of molecular mechanism of scrotal EMPD by identifying the hub genes and candidate drugs using integrated bioinformatics approaches. Firstly, the microarray datasets (GSE117285) were downloaded from the GEO database and then analyzed using GEO2R in order to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Moreover, hub genes were identified on the basis of their degree of connectivity using Cytohubba plugin of cytoscape tool. Finally, GEPIA and DGIdb were used for the survival analysis and selection of therapeutic candidates, respectively. A total of 786 DEGs were identified, of which 10 genes were considered as hub genes on the basis of the highest degree of connectivity. After the survival analysis of ten hub genes, a total of 5 genes were found to be altered in EMPD patients. Furthermore, 14 drugs of CHEK1, CCNA2, and CDK1 were found to have therapeutic potential against EMPD. This study updates the information and yields a new perspective in the context of understanding the pathogenesis of EMPD. In future, hub genes and candidate drugs might be capable of improving the personalized detection and therapies for EMPD.
Factors enhancing the level of utilisation of research knowledge on ecosystems
Authors: Eschen René , Mbaabu Purity Rima , Ramamonjisoa Bruno Salomon , Robledo-Abad Carmenza
Published: July 2021

The significant resource investment in research on ecosystems for development of the Global South does not necessarily result in high levels of research knowledge utilisation (RKU). Understanding the factors associated with various levels of RKU can inform funding agencies and researchers developing new projects. We applied a combination of a questionnaire survey and follow up interviews with members of research teams of multiple, broadly comparable projects to make an assessment of achieved RKU levels using a combination of quantitative statistical hypothesis testing and narrative description of survey responses. Research knowledge dissemination by members of the project team who work for non-academic institutions or champions, e.g. particularly motivated people that promote and facilitate implementation or adoption of the project results, and via television was associated with higher research knowledge utilization. By contrast, dissemination by members of the project team working for academic institutions and via peer-reviewed journals was associated with lower RKU. The achieved level of RKU was consistently lower than the targeted level of RKU across spatial scales. The discrepancy between the perceived level of RKU and the evidence provided by survey respondents indicates the need for better monitoring the utilisation of research knowledge in development pathways. Our results further suggest that three years project duration is too short to achieve high levels of RKU in socio-ecological systems. We recommend involvement of non-academic members of the project team in project design, leadership and dissemination for increasing RKU.
Dispersive effects and focused biodistribution of recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20: A locally acting and transiently active permeation enhancer
Authors: Kang David W. , Bittner Beate , Sugarman Barry J. , Zepeda Monica L. , Printz Marie A.
Published: July 2021

Background

Recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20 (rHuPH20) facilitates the dispersion and absorption of subcutaneously administered therapeutic agents. This study aimed to characterize the transient, local action of rHuPH20 in the subcutaneous (SC) space using focused biodistribution and dye dispersion studies conducted in mice.

Materials and methods

To evaluate the biodistribution of rHuPH20, mice were intradermally administered rHuPH20 (80 U). The enzymatic activity of rHuPH20 was analyzed in the skin, lymph nodes, and plasma. Animal model sensitivity was determined by intravenous administration of rHuPH20 (80 U) to the tail vein. To evaluate local dispersion, mice received an intradermal injection of rHuPH20 followed by an intradermal injection of Trypan Blue dye at a contralateral site 45 minutes later. Dye dispersion was measured using a digital caliper.

Results

After intradermal rHuPH20 injection, enzymatic activity was detected within the skin near the injection site with levels decreasing rapidly after 15 minutes. There was no clear evidence of systemic exposure after administration of rHuPH20, and no discernible rHuPH20 activity was observed in lymph or plasma as a function of time after dosing. In the dye dispersion study, delivery of rHuPH20 at one site did not impact dye dispersion at a distal skin site.

Conclusion

These observations support the classification of rHuPH20 as a transiently active and locally acting permeation enhancer.
Trauma-focused treatments for depression. A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dominguez Sarah K. , Matthijssen Suzy J. M. A. , Lee Christopher William
Published: July 2021

Background

Trauma-focused treatments (TFTs) have demonstrated efficacy at decreasing depressive symptoms in individuals with PTSD. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of TFTs for individuals with depression as their primary concern.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted for RCTs published before October 2019 in Cochrane CENTRAL, Pubmed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and additional sources. Trials examining the impact of TFTs on participants with depression were included. Trials focusing on individuals with PTSD or another mental health condition were excluded. The primary outcome was the effect size for depression diagnosis or depressive symptoms. Heterogeneity, study quality, and publication bias were also explored.

Results

Eleven RCTs were included (n = 567) with ten of these using EMDR as the TFT and one using imagery rescripting. Analysis suggested these TFTs were effective in reducing depressive symptoms post-treatment with a large effect size [d = 1.17 (95% CI: 0.58~ 1.75)]. Removal of an outlier saw the effect size remain large [d = 0.83 (95% CI: 0.48~ 1.17)], while the heterogeneity decreased (I2 = 66%). Analysis of the 10 studies that used EMDR also showed a large effect [d = 1.30 (95% CI: 0.67~1.91)]. EMDR was superior to non trauma-focused CBT [d = 0.66 (95% CI: 0.31~1.02)] and analysis of EMDR and imagery rescripting studies suggest superiority over inactive control conditions [d = 1.19 (95% CI: 0.53~ 1.86)]. Analysis of follow-up data also supported the use of EMDR with this population [d = 0.71 (95% CI: 1.04~0.38)]. No publication bias was identified.

Conclusions

Current evidence suggests that EMDR can be an effective treatment for depression. There were insufficient RCTs on other trauma-focused interventions to conclude whether TFTs in general were effective for treating depression. Larger studies with robust methodology using EMDR and other trauma-focused interventions are needed to build on these findings.
Sports safety matting diminishes cardiopulmonary resuscitation quality and increases rescuer perceived exertion
Authors: Kingston Thomas , Tiller Nicholas B. , Partington Elle , Ahmed Mukhtar , Jones Gareth , Johnson Mark I. , Callender Nigel A.
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Compliant surfaces beneath a casualty diminish the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in clinical environments. To examine this issue in a sporting environment, we assessed chest compression quality and rescuer exertion upon compliant sports safety matting.

Methods

Twenty-seven advanced life support providers volunteered (13 male/14 female; mass = 79.0 ± 12.5 kg; stature = 1.77 ± 0.09 m). Participants performed 5 × 2 min, randomized bouts of continuous chest compressions on a mannequin, upon five surfaces: solid floor; low-compliance matting; low-compliance matting with a backboard; high-compliance matting; high-compliance matting with a backboard. Measures included chest compression depth and rate, percentage of adequate compressions, and rescuer heart rate and perceived exertion.

Results

Chest compression depth and rate were significantly lower upon high-compliance matting relative to other surfaces (p<0.05). The percentage of adequate compressions (depth ≥50 mm) was lowest upon high-compliance matting (40 ± 39%) versus low-compliance matting (60 ± 36%) and low-compliance matting with a backboard (59 ± 39%). Perceived exertion was significantly greater upon high-compliance matting versus floor, low-compliance matting, and low-compliance matting with a backboard (p<0.05).

Conclusion

Providers of CPR should be alerted to the detrimental effects of compliant safety matting in a sporting environment and prepare to alter the targeted compression depth and rescuer rotation intervals accordingly.
Production efficiency and change characteristics of China’s apple industry in terms of planting scale
Authors: Sun Yu , Lu Yonghua , Wang Zichun , Li Mingyue
Published: July 2021

The global population is rapidly increasing, the arable land area is losing in a large scale, and the water supply capacity is limited. Meanwhile, China is in a critical period of the transformation of apple industrial structure, and the improvement of apple production efficiency is an important way to increase farmers’ output and income, moderate-scale operation is the inevitable trend in agricultural modernization. However, few studies have explored the production efficiency of the apple industry from the perspective of planting scale. In China, there are seven major apple-producing provinces: Shaanxi, Shandong, Gansu, Henan, Shanxi, Hebei, and Liaoning. Therefore, based on provincial panel data of the seven main apple-producing areas in China, this study used the Malmquist productivity index and data envelopment analysis to measure the efficiency level of the apple industry. At the same time, the threshold regression model was used to analyze the characteristics of the change in apple planting scale and production efficiency. The results showed that apple production efficiency in different regions of China exhibited regional differences and time series fluctuations. Apple planting scale had a "double" threshold effect, and the impact on apple production efficiency showed a "negative effect–positive effect" trend. Therefore, the suggestion is to appropriately adjust the scale of operation, take measures according to local conditions, promote the upgrading of apple production technology, and realize the integration of apple production and sales by using “Internet +.”
Effectiveness of mobile phone text message reminder interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mehra Nishant , Tunje Abayneh , Hallström Inger Kristensson , Jerene Degu
Published: July 2021

Background

Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy in adolescents living with HIV is a global challenge. One of the key strategies to improve adherence is believed to be the use of digital adherence tools. However, evidence is limited in this area. Our objective was to investigate the effectiveness of mobile phone text message reminders in improving ART adherence for adolescents.

Methods

The preferred reporting item for systematic review and meta-analysis guideline was followed. A literature search was done in five databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Global Health and Cochrane) in August 2020. Additional searches for studies and grey literature were performed manually. We included studies with quantitative design exploring the effectiveness of text message reminders, targeting adolescents aged 10–19 years. Studies were excluded if the intervention involved phone calls, phone-based applications, or other complex tech services. Mean differences between intervention and standard of care were computed using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity between one-way and two-way text messages.

Results

Of 2517 study titles screened, seven eligible studies were included in the systematic review. The total number of participants in the included studies was 987, and the study sample varied from 14 to 332. Five studies showed a positive impact of text messaging in improving adherence, while no significant difference was found between the intervention and the control (standard of care) group in the remaining two studies. The pooled mean difference between the intervention and the control group was 0.05 (95% CI: –0.08 to 0.17). There was considerable heterogeneity among the studies (I2 = 78%).

Conclusion and recommendation

The meta-analysis of text message reminder interventions did not show a statistically significant difference in the improvement of ART adherence among adolescents living with HIV. The included studies were heterogeneous in the reported clinical outcomes, where the effectiveness of the intervention was identified in small studies which had a short follow-up period. Studies with bigger sample size and a longer follow-up period are needed.
Supporting communication of visit information to informal caregivers: A systematic review
Authors: Bratches Reed W. R. , Scudder Paige N. , Barr Paul J.
Published: July 2021

Importance

When caregivers cannot attend the clinic visit for the person they provide care for, patients are the predominant source of clinic visit information; however, poor patient recall inhibits the quality of information shared, resulting in poor caregiver preparedness and contributing to caregiver morbidity. Technological solutions exist to sharing clinic visit information, but their effectiveness is unclear.

Objectives

To assess if and how technology is being used to connect informal caregivers to patient clinic visit information when they cannot otherwise attend, and its impact on caregiver and patient outcomes.

Evidence review

MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched through 5/3/2020 with no language restrictions or limits. ClinicalTrials.gov and other reference lists were included in the search. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized trials that involved using a technological medium e.g., video or the electronic health record, to communicate visit information to a non-attending caregiver were included. Data were collected and screened using a standardized data collection form. Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2.0 and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used for RCTs and nonrandomized trials, respectively. All data were abstracted by two independent reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer.

Findings

Of 2115 studies identified in the search, four met criteria for inclusion. Two studies were randomized controlled trials and two were nonrandomized trials. All four studies found positive effects of their intervention on caregiver outcomes of interest, and three out of four studies found statistically significant improvements in key outcomes for caregivers receiving visit information. Improved outcomes included caregiver happiness, caregiver activation, caregiver preparedness, and caregiver confidence in managing patient health.

Conclusions and relevance

Our review suggests that using technology to give a caregiver access to clinical visit information could be beneficial to various caregiver outcomes. There is an urgent need to address the lack of research in this area.
Prospective screening of liver fibrosis in a primary care cohort using systematic calculation of fib-4 in routine results
Authors: Halfon Philippe , Ansaldi Christelle , Penaranda Guillaume , Chiche Laurent , Dukan Patrick , Stavris Chloé , Plauzolles Anne , Retornaz Frédérique , Bourliere Marc
Published: July 2021

Background & aim

Liver fibrosis screening in primary care population is a major public health issue. The FIB-4 index is a simple non-invasive fibrosis test combining age, transaminases, platelets count, developed for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the interest of liver fibrosis screening using systematic calculation of FIB-4 in routine blood analysis.

Methods

Between December 2018 and May 2019, we conducted a prospective screening of liver fibrosis in 134 158 patients during a medical check-up including routine blood analysis. Among these patients, 29 707 had transaminases and platelets counts available and benefited from an automatic calculation of FIB-4. Results were obtained from 21 French clinical laboratories in the Bouches du Rhône region.

Results

Among the 29 707 patients, 2161 (7.3%) had a high risk of advanced fibrosis (FIB-4>2.67). Individual investigation of patients with FIB-4>2.67 allowed to screen 1268 (1268/2161: 58.7%) patients who were not managed for any liver disease.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates the interest of FIB-4 for the screening of liver fibrosis in primary care population. Although additional clinical validation study is required to determine the utility and applicability of Fib-4 to daily practice, our study strongly supports this easy-to-implement strategy using a simple Fib-4 measure resulting from the use of available routine test results.
Diagnostic efficiency and validity of the DSM-oriented Child Behavior Checklist and Youth Self-Report scales in a clinical sample of Swedish youth
Authors: Skarphedinsson Gudmundur , Jarbin Håkan , Andersson Markus , Ivarsson Tord
Published: July 2021

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) are widely used measures of psychiatric symptoms and lately also adapted to the DSM. The incremental validity of adding the scales to each other has not been studied. We validated the DSM subscales for affective, anxiety, attention deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD), oppositional defiant (ODD), conduct problems (CD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in consecutively referred child and adolescent psychiatric outpatients (n = 267) against LEAD DSM-IV diagnoses based on the K-SADS-PL and subsequent clinical work-up. Receiver operating characteristic analyses showed that the diagnostic efficiency for most scales were moderate with an area under the curve (AUC) between 0.70 and 0.90 except for CBCL CD, which had high accuracy (AUC>0.90) in line with previous studies showing the acceptable utility of the CBCL DSM scales and the YSR affective, anxiety, and CD scales, while YSR ODD and OCD had low accuracy (AUC<0.70). The findings mostly reveal incremental validity (using logistic regression analyses) for adding the adolescent to the parent version (or vice versa). Youth and parent ratings contributed equally to predict depression and anxiety disorders, while parent ratings were a stronger predictor for ADHD. However, the youth ADHD rating also contributed. Adding young people as informants for ODD and OCD or adding the parent for CD did not improve accuracy. The findings for depression, anxiety disorders, and ADHD support using more than one informant when conducting screening in a clinical context.
Thinking in pictures in everyday life situations among autistic adults
Authors: Bled Clara , Guillon Quentin , Soulières Isabelle , Bouvet Lucie
Published: July 2021

Autistic individuals are often described as thinking in pictures. The aim of this study was to investigate the phenomenological characteristics of mental representations and inner experiences of autistic individuals. A total of 39 autistic adults and 80 control adults answered an online questionnaire. Autistic participants reported a more frequent use of visual mental representations than controls for different types of everyday situations. Moreover, autistic individuals defined their visual mental representations as more detailed than control participants. Furthermore, when describing their inner experiences, autistic participants used perceptive visual themes whereas control participants relied more on the description of events and memories. Our results support the hypothesis that some autistic individuals indeed “think in pictures”. We discuss the impact of such a visual way of thinking in daily life.
Estimating the effect of tracking tag weight on insect movement using video analysis: A case study with a flightless orthopteran
Authors: Kaláb Oto , Musiolek David , Rusnok Pavel , Hurtik Petr , Tomis Martin , Kočárek Petr
Published: July 2021

In this study, we describe an inexpensive and rapid method of using video analysis and identity tracking to measure the effects of tag weight on insect movement. In a laboratory experiment, we assessed the tag weight and associated context-dependent effects on movement, choosing temperature as a factor known to affect insect movement and behavior. We recorded the movements of groups of flightless adult crickets Gryllus locorojo (Orthoptera:Gryllidae) as affected by no tag (control); by light, medium, or heavy tags (198.7, 549.2, and 758.6 mg, respectively); and by low, intermediate, or high temperatures (19.5, 24.0, and 28.3°C, respectively). Each individual in each group was weighed before recording and was recorded for 3 consecutive days. The mean (± SD) tag mass expressed as a percentage of body mass before the first recording was 26.8 ± 3.7% with light tags, 72 ± 11.2% with medium tags, and 101.9 ± 13.5% with heavy tags. We found that the influence of tag weight strongly depended on temperature, and that the negative effects on movement generally increased with tag weight. At the low temperature, nearly all movement properties were negatively influenced. At the intermediate and high temperatures, the light and medium tags did not affect any of the movement properties. The continuous 3-day tag load reduced the average movement speed only for crickets with heavy tags. Based on our results, we recommend that researchers consider or investigate the possible effects of tags before conducting any experiment with tags in order to avoid obtaining biased results.
Long-term effect of botulinum toxin A on the hip and spine in cerebral palsy: A national retrospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Lin Ching-Yueh , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Matthews Dennis J. , Chu Heng-Yi , Chen Liang-Cheng , Yang Sung-Sen , Chien Wu-Chien
Published: July 2021

Objectives

To investigate the effect of botulinum toxin A (BTA) on the development of hip dislocation and scoliosis, surgical rates for hip and spine, and mortality in cerebral palsy (CP).

Study design

A cohort study was conducted using CP data from a Taiwan National Insurance Health Research Database. Diagnoses were defined using the International Classification of Diseases codes, 9th revision. Adjusted hazard ratios for outcomes were calculated using Cox regression analysis and adjusted for the following variables: BTA injection, sex, age, severities of CP, comorbidities, location, urbanization level, and level of care.

Results

A total of 1,405 CP children (670 female vs. 735 male), 281 in the BTA group and 1,124 in the controls, were followed-up for a mean of 5 years 4 months. There were no significant differences in the outcomes in both groups, in the incidence rates of hip dislocation and scoliosis, nor in the surgical rates for hip and spine surgery. Mortality rate in the BTA group was 0.49 times lower than that in the controls (p= 0.001). Moderate to severe types of CP had higher incidence rates of hip dislocation, scoliosis, hip surgery, spine surgery, and mortality.

Conclusion

Moderate to severe types of CP had poorer outcomes in all aspects, including a higher risk of hip dislocation, scoliosis, surgical rate for hip and spine, and mortality. Although BTA injection in children with CP proved to not significantly reduce hip dislocation and scoliosis, it is considered safe as an anti-spasticity treatment and may be beneficial for survival.
Pharmacotherapy, drug-drug interactions and potentially inappropriate medication in depressive disorders
Authors: Wolff Jan , Reißner Pamela , Hefner Gudrun , Normann Claus , Kaier Klaus , Binder Harald , Hiemke Christoph , Toto Sermin , Domschke Katharina , Marschollek Michael , Klimke Ansgar
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The aim of this study was to describe the number and type of drugs used to treat depressive disorders in inpatient psychiatry and to analyse the determinants of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDI) and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM).

Methods

Our study was part of a larger pharmacovigilance project funded by the German Innovation Funds. It included all inpatients with a main diagnosis in the group of depressive episodes (F32, ICD-10) or recurrent depressive disorders (F33) discharged from eight psychiatric hospitals in Germany between 1 October 2017 and 30 September 2018 or between 1 January and 31 December 2019.

Results

The study included 14,418 inpatient cases. The mean number of drugs per day was 3.7 (psychotropic drugs = 1.7; others = 2.0). Thirty-one percent of cases received at least five drugs simultaneously (polypharmacy). Almost one half of all cases received a combination of multiple antidepressant drugs (24.8%, 95% CI 24.1%–25.5%) or a treatment with antidepressant drugs augmented by antipsychotic drugs (21.9%, 95% CI 21.3%–22.6%). The most frequently used antidepressants were selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, followed by serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and tetracyclic antidepressants. In multivariate analyses, cases with recurrent depressive disorders and cases with severe depression were more likely to receive a combination of multiple antidepressant drugs (Odds ratio recurrent depressive disorder: 1.56, 95% CI 1.41–1.70, severe depression 1.33, 95% CI 1.18–1.48). The risk of any pDDI and PIM in elderly patients increased substantially with each additional drug (Odds Ratio: pDDI 1.32, 95% CI: 1.27–1.38, PIM 1.18, 95% CI: 1.14–1.22) and severity of disease (Odds Ratio per point on CGI-Scale: pDDI 1.29, 95% CI: 1.11–1.46, PIM 1.27, 95% CI: 1.11–1.44), respectively.

Conclusion

This study identified potential sources and determinants of safety risks in pharmacotherapy of depressive disorders and provided additional data which were previously unavailable. Most inpatients with depressive disorders receive multiple psychotropic and non-psychotropic drugs and pDDI and PIM are relatively frequent. Patients with a high number of different drugs must be intensively monitored in the management of their individual drug-related risk-benefit profiles.
Development of emodepside as a possible adulticidal treatment for human onchocerciasis—The fruit of a successful industrial–academic collaboration
Authors: Krücken Jürgen , Holden-Dye Lindy , Keiser Jennifer , Prichard Roger K. , Townson Simon , Makepeace Benjamin L. , Hübner Marc P. , Hahnel Steffen R. , Scandale Ivan , Harder Achim , Kulke Daniel
Published: July 2021

Current mass drug administration (MDA) programs for the treatment of human river blindness (onchocerciasis) caused by the filarial worm Onchocerca volvulus rely on ivermectin, an anthelmintic originally developed for animal health. These treatments are primarily directed against migrating microfilariae and also suppress fecundity for several months, but fail to eliminate adult O. volvulus. Therefore, elimination programs need time frames of decades, well exceeding the life span of adult worms. The situation is worsened by decreased ivermectin efficacy after long-term therapy. To improve treatment options against onchocerciasis, a drug development candidate should ideally kill or irreversibly sterilize adult worms. Emodepside is a broad-spectrum anthelmintic used for the treatment of parasitic nematodes in cats and dogs (Profender and Procox). Our current knowledge of the pharmacology of emodepside is the result of more than 2 decades of intensive collaborative research between academia and the pharmaceutical industry. Emodepside has a novel mode of action with a broad spectrum of activity, including against extraintestinal nematode stages such as migrating larvae or macrofilariae. Therefore, emodepside is considered to be among the most promising candidates for evaluation as an adulticide treatment against onchocerciasis. Consequently, in 2014, Bayer and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) started a collaboration to develop emodepside for the treatment of patients suffering from the disease. Macrofilaricidal activity has been demonstrated in various models, including Onchocerca ochengi in cattle, the parasite most closely related to O. volvulus. Emodepside has now successfully passed Phase I clinical trials, and a Phase II study is planned. This Bayer–DNDi partnership is an outstanding example of “One World Health,” in which experience gained in veterinary science and drug development is translated to human health and leads to improved tools to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and shorten development pathways and timelines in an otherwise neglected area.
Diània: rock polític, identitat i protesta al País Valencià
Authors: Penalva Verdú Clemente , Català Oltra Lluís
Published: July 2021

Diània podria ser el nom d’una escena musical valenciana molt localitzada que val com a exemple del vincle entre la música popular i la vessant identitària de l’acció política dels moviments socials. Aquest treball s’ha fet a partir d’una recollida de dades sobre aquesta intensa activitat artística musical (nombre de grups, estils, discografies, lletres i composicions i ubicació geogràfica) sobre diferents fonts de dades secundàries (mitjans socials, mitjans de comunicació digital). L’estudi troba, per una banda, la incidència d’elements explicatius (culturals, històrics, socials i geogràfics) en la formació de l’escena. Per altra banda, l’anàlisi dels continguts de les composicions mostra com aquestes es mouen en un continu amb dos pols ben diferenciats (el grotesc i el solemne) que es corresponen amb dos instruments d’agitació política. Encara que connecten territori, identitat i protesta locals, els principals elements polítics estan associats amb les formes I reivindicacions actuals dels moviments socials globals.
BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF THE GENUS RUMEX (POLYGONACEAE) PLANTS
Authors: Podgurskaya Vera Viktorovna , Luksha Elena Aleksandrovna , Gushchina Elena Sergeyevna , Savchenko Irina Aleksandrovna , Korneeva Irina Nikolayevna , Kalinkina Galina Il'inichna
Published: July 2021

The review provides information on the biological activity of 26 species of the genus Rumex L. based on the results of studies for the period of 2014-2019. Information search and scientometric analysis were carried out using the resources of the Scopus scientific database. The annual number of scientific publications related to plants of the genus Rumex persists at a fairly high level (more than 100 publications per year). It was found that the most studied species in terms of biological activity and composition are R. acetosa, R. crispus, R. dentatus, R. nervosus, R. obtusifolius, R. vesicarius, which showed the presence of antihypertensive, antiosteoporotic, antiviral, nephro- and hepatoprotective and other types of activity in pharmacological studies. Articles describing mechanisms of the extracts’ active substances’ biological effects are presented, but this information is fragmentary. The chemical composition has been studied mainly for officinal species. A number of species – R. alveolatus, R. aquaticus, R. conglomeratus, R. hastatus, R. lunaria, R. maritimus, R. occidentalis, etc. – are promising for further study as the various extracts of these plants showed antibacterial, cytoprotective, antitumor, antihyperglycemic activity, the ability to stimulate hair growth and fight hyperpigmentation.
ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES OF ESSENTIAL OILS OF THE GENUS MONARDA PLANTS CULTIVATED IN BELARUS
Authors: Kovalenko Natal'ya Aleksandrovna , Leontiev Виктор Николаевич , Supichenko Galina Nikolayevna , Ahramovich Tat'yana Igorevna , Feskova Elena Vladimirovna , Shutova Anna Gennad'yevna
Published: July 2021

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation method from the genus Monarda plants cultivated in Belarus were investigated. Using the technique of gas-liquid chromatography essential oil components were identified and determined. The dominant components of the essential oils were thymol (up to 27%), carvacrol (up to 29%), γ-terpinene (up to 22%) p-cimene (up to 35%). The distribution of dominant components of monarda essential oil depending on the plant chemotype and the method of preparing plant materials was shown. Antimicrobial activity of monarda essential oil against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria test cultures was revealed. Gram-positive bacterial cultures were more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of monarda essential oils. Antimicrobial properties of dominant components (thymol, carvacrol, γ-terpinene and p-cimene) were investigated. Effect of dominant component concentration on the antimicrobial properties of monarda essential oils was established.