bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Community composition of ants beneath invasive plant Rosa rugosa
Authors: Grześ Irena M. , Rożej‐Pabijan Elżbieta , Stefanowicz Anna M. , Woch Marcin W.
Published: August 2021

Planting of Japanese rose Rosa rugosa along the Baltic Sea coastline has contributed to the synanthropization of coastal ecosystems. Many ant species inhabiting coastal dunes are rare, have high conservation value and are sensitive to ecosystem disturbances. This short communication presents a study describing the species composition of ground‐nesting ants beneath the invasive plant Rosa rugosa. Twenty‐five paired invaded–native plots were established along the Hel Peninsula in gray and white dunes. We identified a total of 13 species within both the invaded and reference plots, of which 11 species were shared. The difference between reference and invaded plots was tested using permutational multivariate anova based on the Bray–Curtis index dissimilarity matrix. Permutational multivariate anova partitioning showed the greatest component was the residual, and there was no evidence for vegetation type effect. Thus, we did not confirm the negative influence of R. rugosa invasion on the community composition of ground‐nesting ants. Comparing the species composition of invaded and reference plots, we identified a small bias towards a slightly higher frequency of hygrophilous Myrmica species and a higher frequency of the psammophilous ant Lasius psammophilus, which raises the question for future investigations of whether R. rugosa creates nesting microhabitats preferred by hygrophilous ants.
Ultrasonographic diagnosis of equine thoracolumbar articular process joint lesions
Authors: Beaumont A. , Bertoni L. , Denoix J. M.
Published: August 2021

Thoracolumbar lesions are common in horses, but their identification and location remain a challenge in field practice. A precise diagnostis improves therapeutic strategy and, thus, the prognosis of affected horses. Although radiography remains the preferred diagnostic imaging modality used for the back, ultrasound is a useful complementary technique that offers valuable information and can be performed as a stand‐alone procedure when high‐output radiographic equipment is not available. The aim of this paper is to describe thoracolumbar articular process joint pathology that can be visualised with ultrasound.
High carbon losses from oxygen‐limited soils challenge biogeochemical theory and model assumptions
Authors: Huang Wenjuan , Wang Kefeng , Ye Chenglong , Hockaday William C. , Wang Gangsheng , Hall Steven J.
Published: August 2021

Oxygen (O2) limitation contributes to persistence of large carbon (C) stocks in saturated soils. However, many soils experience spatiotemporal O2 fluctuations impacted by climate and land‐use change, and O2‐mediated climate feedbacks from soil greenhouse gas emissions remain poorly constrained. Current theory and models posit that anoxia uniformly suppresses carbon (C) decomposition. Here we show that periodic anoxia may sustain or even stimulate decomposition over weeks to months in two disparate soils by increasing turnover and/or size of fast‐cycling C pools relative to static oxic conditions, and by sustaining decomposition of reduced organic molecules. Cumulative C losses did not decrease consistently as cumulative O2 exposure decreased. After >1 year, soils anoxic for 75% of the time had similar C losses as the oxic control but nearly threefold greater climate impact on a CO2‐equivalent basis (20‐year timescale) due to high methane (CH4) emission. A mechanistic model incorporating current theory closely reproduced oxic control results but systematically underestimated C losses under O2 fluctuations. Using a model‐experiment integration (ModEx) approach, we found that models were improved by varying microbial maintenance respiration and the fraction of CH4 production in total C mineralization as a function of O2 availability. Consistent with thermodynamic expectations, the calibrated models predicted lower microbial C‐use efficiency with increasing anoxic duration in one soil; in the other soil, dynamic organo‐mineral interactions implied by our empirical data but not represented in the model may have obscured this relationship. In both soils, the updated model was better able to capture transient spikes in C mineralization that occurred following anoxic–oxic transitions, where decomposition from the fluctuating‐O2 treatments greatly exceeded the control. Overall, our data‐model comparison indicates that incorporating emergent biogeochemical properties of soil O2 variability will be critical for effectively modeling C‐climate feedbacks in humid ecosystems.
Stoichiometric models of microbial metabolic limitation in soil systems
Authors: Cui Yongxing , Moorhead Daryl L. , Guo Xiaobin , Peng Shushi , Wang Yunqiang , Zhang Xingchang , Fang Linchuan
Published: August 2021

Aim

Ecoenzymatic stoichiometry provides a promising avenue for deciphering resource constraints on soil microbial metabolism but is hampered by limitations in current modelling techniques.

Innovation

Herein we developed new models for quantifying microbial metabolic limitations based on the stoichiometric and metabolic theories of ecology, using an extensive database (n = 2,667) that revealed relationships far from the widely recognized mean ratio of 1:1:1 for carbon : nitrogen : phosphorus (C : N : P) acquiring enzyme activities. We estimated the balance points of P and N acquisition (x0, y0) in the absence of resource constraints to redefine the boundary between P versus N limitation. We then calculated two alternative boundary conditions defining P versus N limitation by scaling the classic threshold element ratio (TER), generating two new models (TEREEA and TERL). In addition, a new enzyme vector (V‐T) model was devised by correcting traditional vector calculations based on observed enzyme activities against these balance points.

Main conclusions

These three new models more consistently predicted microbial metabolic limitations than the traditional TER and vector models. They also predicted that microbial metabolism in high‐latitude grasslands and low‐latitude forests were predominantly limited by soil N and P, respectively, and that increases in soil organic C with ecosystem development could intensify these limitations. In contrast, fertilizers alleviated these limitations in agricultural ecosystems, suggesting that widespread anthropogenic effects could potentially alter microbial resource limitations even in natural ecosystems. In addition, C limitation to microbial metabolism identified by the new V‐T model showed a consistent negative correlation with microbial C use efficiency among ecosystems, confirming that resource constraints regulate microbial resource allocation. These new models provide more precise predictions of microbial metabolic limitations across a wide range of ecosystems and thus may be useful tools for the study of microbial macroecology.
Convergent patterns of body size variation in distinct parasite taxa with convergent life cycles
Authors: Ni Steven , Doherty Jean‐François , Poulin Robert
Published: August 2021

Aim

Interspecific variation among metazoans often follows a latitudinal pattern, with species at higher latitudes being larger bodied than related species from lower latitudes (Bergmann's rule). For parasitic species, body sizes within any higher taxon are often correlated with the body sizes of their hosts (Harrison's rule). Whether temperature‐driven latitudinal effects or host‐driven resource constraints act independently or additively to shape interspecific variation in parasite body sizes remains unknown. We take a comparative approach to test the effects of latitude and host body size on parasite body sizes in two taxa of parasitic worms showing convergent life cycles.

Location

Global.

Time period

Contemporary.

Major taxa studied

Hairworms (Nematomorpha) and mermithids (Nematoda) parasitic in arthropods.

Methods

With 223 records for mermithids and 258 for nematomorphs world‐wide, we used linear mixed effects models to test the effects of latitude and host body size on parasite length, intraspecific length variation, parasite egg diameter and variation in egg diameter. Furthermore, we modelled parasite length with local mean annual temperature as the predictor instead of latitude, as a direct test of underlying mechanisms. All models took into account host and parasite taxonomic structure within the datasets.

Results

For both taxa, host body size was clearly the main determinant of parasite body length, with neither latitude nor local temperature (annual mean or range) having an effect. No predictor affected intraspecific length variation, whereas egg diameter was positively associated with parasite length, and variation in egg diameter was negatively associated with latitude.

Main conclusions

Our results support a strong role for host traits in shaping the evolution of parasite body sizes (Harrison's rule), but no role for latitude (Bergmann's rule), although these parasites infect ectothermic hosts. At a mechanistic level, the evolutionary driving force of external temperature on parasite physiology seems to be eclipsed by the availability of resources from the host.
Microstructure and ion conductivity of Al‐LLZO solid electrolyte prepared by molten salt and cold sintering process
Authors: Zhang Ying , Liu Andong , Shi Zongmo , Ge Siyu , Zhang Junzhan
Published: August 2021

Li7La3Zr2O12 as a feasible solid electrolyte in all solid‐state batteries owns a highly active area of research due to the high Li+ conductivity and the high stability against the metallic Li. The Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 powders were synthesized by using the molten salt method to reduce calcination temperature. And cold sintering was served to densify the powders and obtain the solid‐state electrolyte, which could remedy the shortcoming of the conventional sintering. The influence of cold sintering temperature and holding time on the microstructures and electrochemical properties of Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 electrolyte were explored. The cubic block grains were observed that had a sufficient impact on the ionic conductivity. The results showed that the density and Li+ conductivity of Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 solid electrolyte were 3.31 g cm−3 and 9.13 μS cm−1, respectively. This work deepens the understanding of solid electrolytes prepared by the cold sintering process and shows the potential of this technology in terms of electrolytes preparation.
Biochemical properties of type I sourdough affected by wheat bran dietary fibre during fermentation
Authors: Wang Zhen , Ma Sen , Huang Jihong , Li Li , Sun Binghua , Tian Xiaoling , Wang Xiaoxi
Published: August 2021

The supplementation of dietary fibre in sourdough is beneficial to increase the nutritional quality of fermented foods. The influence of different wheat bran dietary fibre (WBDF) levels (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12%) on the biochemical characteristics of sourdough during fermentation was investigated. This study showed that WBDF was slightly resistant to the reduced pH caused by the initial fermentation of sourdough dough. After 6 h of fermentation, whether or not it contained WBDF, the dough’s amylase activity was relatively stable (P > 0.05). However, in the samples containing WBDF, it took longer for the amylase activity to increase from 200 to 300 U g−1. The content of free amino acids in the dough showed a tendency to first decrease and then increase with the metabolic activity of microorganisms, and WBDF could accelerate this rate. This study also provided evidence that insoluble dietary fibre may stimulate the growth and reproduction of lactic acid bacteria.
Streptolysins are the primary inflammasome activators in macrophages during Streptococcus pyogenes infection
Authors: Richter Johanna , Monteleone Mercedes M , Cork Amanda J , Barnett Timothy C , Nizet Victor , Brouwer Stephan , Schroder Kate , Walker Mark J
Published: August 2021

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a Gram‐positive bacterial pathogen that causes an array of infectious diseases in humans. Accumulating clinical evidence suggests that proinflammatory interleukin (IL)‐1β signaling plays an important role in GAS disease progression. The host regulates the production and secretion of IL‐1β via the cytosolic inflammasome pathway. Activation of the NLR family pyrin domain‐containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complex requires two signals: a priming signal that stimulates increased transcription of genes encoding the components of the inflammasome pathway, and an activating signal that induces assembly of the inflammasome complex. Here we show that GAS‐derived lipoteichoic acid can provide a priming signal for NLRP3 inflammasome activation. As only few GAS‐derived proteins have been associated with inflammasome‐dependent IL‐1β signaling, we investigated novel candidates that might play a role in activating the inflammasome pathway by infecting mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages and human THP‐1 macrophage‐like cells with a panel of isogenic GAS mutant strains. We found that the cytolysins streptolysin O (SLO) and streptolysin S are the main drivers of IL‐1β release in proliferating logarithmic phase GAS. Using a mutant form of recombinant SLO, we confirmed that bacterial pore formation on host cell membranes is a key mechanism required for inflammasome activation. Our results suggest that streptolysins are major determinants of GAS‐induced inflammation and present an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Optimal strategies of contract‐farming supply chain under the cooperative mode of bank‐insurance: loan guarantee insurance versus yield insurance
Authors: Shi Ligang , Pang Tao , Peng Hongjun
Published: August 2021

We investigate the impact of two insurance mechanisms: loan guarantee insurance and yield insurance, on a capital‐constrained contract‐farming supply chain where the farmer is risk‐averse and faces yield uncertainty. Using the sequential model, we derive the farmer's optimal farm size, the agrodealer's optimal wholesale price and the insurance company's optimal premium rate. The result shows that under both insurance mechanisms, premium subsidies can promote the farmer to increase the farm size. However, we find that under loan guarantee insurance, when the premium subsidy is relatively high, the farmer's farm size increases with the poor harvest risk. Under yield insurance, the farmer's conditional value‐at‐risk (CVaR) value increases with respect to the premium subsidy rate. Under loan guarantee insurance, the premium rate increases with respect to the premium subsidy. As a result, the farmer's CVaR value decreases with respect to the premium subsidy rate when it is relatively high. Further analysis indicates that with the same government subsidy expenditure, the efficiency of premium subsidies to increase the farmer's production quantity is better under loan guarantee insurance mode, but the efficiency of premium subsidies to increase the farmer's CVaR value is better under yield insurance.
A hybrid correlative‐mechanistic approach for modeling winter distributions of North American bat species
Authors: McClure Meredith L. , Haase Catherine G. , Hranac Carter Reed , Hayman David T. S. , Dickson Brett G. , McGuire Liam P. , Crowley Daniel , Fuller Nathan W. , Lausen Cori L. , Plowright Raina K. , Olson Sarah H.
Published: August 2021

Aim

The fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans and resultant white‐nose syndrome (WNS) continues to advance across North America, infecting new bat hibernacula. Western North America hosts the highest bat diversity in the United States and Canada, yet little is known about hibernacula and hibernation behaviour in this region. An improved understanding of the distribution of suitable hibernacula is critical for land managers to anticipate conservation needs of WNS‐susceptible species in currently uninfected regions.

Location

United States, Canada.

Taxon

Bats.

Methods

We estimated suitability of potential winter hibernaculum sites across five bat species' ranges. We estimated winter survival capacity from a mechanistic survivorship model based on bat bioenergetics and climate conditions. We then used boosted regression trees to relate these estimates, along with key landscape attributes, to bat occurrence data in a hybrid correlative‐mechanistic approach.

Results

Winter survival capacity, topography, land cover and access to subterranean features were important predictors of winter hibernaculum selection, but the shape and relative importance of these relationships varied amongst species. This suggests that the occurrence of bat hibernacula can, in part, be predicted from readily mapped above‐ground features, not just below‐ground characteristics for which spatial data are lacking. Furthermore, our mechanistic estimate of winter survivorship was, on average, the third strongest predictor of winter occurrence probability across focal species.

Main conclusions

Winter distributions of North American bat species were driven by their physiological capacity to survive winter conditions and duration in a given location, as well as selection for topographic and other landscape features but in species‐specific ways. The influence of winter survivorship on several species' distributions, the underlying influence of climate conditions on winter survivorship and the anticipated influence of WNS on bats' hibernation physiology and survivorship together suggest that North American bat distributions may undergo future shifts as these species are exposed not only to WNS but also to climate change.
CDKN1C as a prognostic biomarker correlated with immune infiltrates and therapeutic responses in breast cancer patients
Authors: Lai Jianguo , Lin Xiaoyi , Cao Fangrong , Mok Hsiaopei , Chen Bo , Liao Ning
Published: August 2021

Breast cancer (BC) prognosis and therapeutic sensitivity could not be predicted efficiently. Previous evidence have shown the vital roles of CDKN1C in BC. Therefore, we aimed to construct a CDKN1C‐based model to accurately predicting overall survival (OS) and treatment responses in BC patients. In this study, 995 BC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were selected. Kaplan‐Meier curve, Gene set enrichment and immune infiltrates analyses were executed. We developed a novel CDKN1C‐based nomogram to predict the OS, verified by the time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve and decision curve. Therapeutic response prediction was followed based on the low‐ and high‐nomogram score groups. Our results indicated that low‐CDKN1C expression was associated with shorter OS and lower proportion of naïve B cells, CD8 T cells, activated NK cells. The predictive accuracy of the nomogram for 5‐year OS was superior to the tumour‐node‐metastasis stage (area under the curve: 0.746 vs. 0.634, p < 0.001). The nomogram exhibited excellent predictive performance, calibration ability and clinical utility. Moreover, low‐risk patients were identified with stronger sensitivity to therapeutic agents. This tool can improve BC prognosis and therapeutic responses prediction, thus guiding individualized treatment decisions.
Mechanism of piperine in affecting apoptosis and proliferation of gastric cancer cells via ROS‐mitochondria‐associated signalling pathway
Authors: Guo Li , Yang Yi , Sheng YongJia , Wang Jin , Ruan Shuiliang , Han Chenyang
Published: August 2021

Piperine (PIP), the main active ingredient in pepper, belongs to the cinnamamide alkaloid. PIP has been found to have functions, including anti‐oxidation, immune regulation, anti‐tumour and promotion of drug metabolism. The present study was mainly designed to reveal the anti‐tumour effect of PIP against gastric cancer and the relevant mechanism. In brief, the undifferentiated human gastric cancer cell HGC‐27 was used, which was treated with different concentrations of PIP. As a result, PIP could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of HGC‐27 cells in a dose‐dependent manner. The mechanism of PIP was associated with ROS increase and mitochondrial damage, simultaneously, the expression of key proteins of apoptosis was affected, including Bcl‐2, Bax, Cyt‐c, Caspase‐9 and Caspase‐3. Pre‐treatment of ROS scavenger NAC HGC‐27 cells could significantly reduce PIP‐induced apoptosis and inhibit the activation of apoptotic signals. Consistently, PIP could induce ROS to increase and activate apoptotic signals in the animal model. Therefore, the present study showed that PIP can induce the generation of ROS, thereby promoting the activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and exerting anti‐tumour effects.
Characterization and digestogram modeling of modified elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius) starch using ultrasonic pretreated autoclaving
Authors: Barua Sreejani , Tudu Karan , Rakshit Madhulekha , Srivastav Prem Prakash
Published: August 2021

Native elephant foot yam starch (EFYS) is highly digestible, and it is not recommendable for consumption by diabetic and obese people. To address this problem, the current study focuses on the amendments in various properties (such as functional properties, whiteness index, amylose content, morphology, and digestion) of EFYS using ultrasonication (US) and US pretreated autoclave (AL) modification with varied time viz. 15, 30, and 45 min. Both the treatments enhanced the water absorption, swelling power, and solubility of EFYS. US‐assisted AL treatment was responsible for increasing the resistant starch (RS) fraction and the highest increment was observed in US‐AL45 EFYS (39.13 ± 1.19 %) as compared to the native counterpart (30.65 ± 1.06 %). Molecular aggregations were observed in all US‐AL EFYS, whereas US treatment broke the agglomerations and increased the intergranular spaces. FTIR analysis revealed the highest increase in ordered to amorphous starch (1047/1022 cm−1) in US‐AL45 EFYS followed by native and others modified EFYS. The highest increase in amylose content was notable in US‐AL45 (10.02 ± 0.08 %) as compared to other native and others treated EFYS. To understand the kinetic behavior of the native and modified EFYS, first‐order kinetics, Michaelis–Menten, Paolucci Jeanjean, Logistic, and Weibull models were applied. The digestogram models highlighted the highest digestibility in native EFYS, preceded by US, US‐AL 15, US‐AL 30, and US‐AL 45 EFYS. US‐AL 45 EFYS showed the highest change in all the functional properties as compared to native and other modified EFYS.

Practical applications

Owing to the prevalent lifestyle diseases, a continuous evolution in nutritional behaviors has emerged. Although starch imparts consistency and quality to the commercial food products, its high digestibility results in harmful effects to diabetic and obese patients. Elephant foot yam is considered as a unique source of starch and its modification leads to a decrease in enzyme hydrolysis while making it health beneficial. Ultrasonic pretreated autoclaving is one such potential physical modification treatment which can facilitate toward decrease in enzyme digestibility of elephant foot yam starch (EFYS), yet enhancing its swelling properties that in turn leads to the growth of functional food processing industry. The findings of the study highlight the enzyme digestogram modeling of US and US‐AL modified EFYS in order to shed light on the mechanism that regulates them.
The carbon footprint of capital formation: An empirical analysis on its relationship with a country's income growth
Authors: Kobayakawa Toru
Published: August 2021

Infrastructure development, often referred to as fixed capital formation, is imperative for developing countries not only to provide essential services but also to drive their economic activities. Capital investments, on the other hand, have been accused of expediting resource depletion and environmental degradation, including climate change, because infrastructure construction requires significant amounts of resource and energy inputs that inevitably accompany carbon dioxide emissions. Considering that the upscaling of Western‐type infrastructure stocks to the global level may easily compromise the 2°C target under the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to understand how capital formation by developing countries affects their carbon footprint (CF) and explore ways to avoid its excessive accumulation. This study aims to empirically find out how CF from capital formation evolves along various countries' development pathways by employing the multi‐regional input–output model with a particular focus on the gross fixed capital formation as the final‐demand category. It also aims to identify well‐performing countries that make growth with fewer CFs from capital formation and assess the reasons behind it through structural decomposition analysis. It has been found that the developing countries that invested in more carbon‐intensive capital formation achieved faster economic growth. In order to pursue carbon‐neutral growth globally, these countries need to lower their CFs through the proactive improvement of their emission coefficient and energy efficiencies. Proper environmental space for CF accumulation needs to be left for the low‐income developing countries to make investments for their future capital formation and income growth.
Capital concentration in and through class differentiation: A case study from Pampean agribusiness
Authors: Bernhold Christin , Palmisano Tomás
Published: August 2021

The National Agricultural Census (NAC) held in Argentina in 2018 shows that the concentration and centralization of agrarian capital in this country's heartland of grain and oilseed production is an ongoing process. An extensive academic literature has attributed this trend to the dynamics of capitalist development in agriculture in general and to Argentina's political economy in particular. Tying into these discussions and based on a case study, this paper argues that an analysis of how the growth of large corporations works in and through class differentiation helps to further explain the dynamics of concentration and centralization. This includes (i) examining the strategies of big companies to diversify capital functions across various value chain links and (ii) elucidating how they have established particular relations to smaller capitals, intermediate classes, and workers, as well as the related patterns of exploitation and appropriation of surplus value.
Mathematical Tooth Proportions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Akl Mohammed A. , Mansour Dina E. , Mays Keith , Wee Alvin G.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate and compare three commonly used proportions that include the golden proportion, golden percentage, and Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) proportion to identify which of the mathematical formulas, if any, can be used to provide predictable and repeatable esthetic clinical outcomes.

Methods

A comprehensive search of electronic databases that included EBSCO, ProQuest, SCOPUS, Science Direct, Wiley, Google Scholar and PubMed was conducted using the terms: “golden proportion,” “golden percentage,” and “Recurring Esthetic Dental (RED) proportions” alone or in concurrence with one or both ensuing terms: “tooth proportions” and “esthetic tooth proportions.” In addition, the following journals were hand searched for relevant articles: Journal of Prosthodontics, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Related citations were also considered.

Results

Tooth proportions varied substantially in the natural dentition. No studies revealed findings that supported the use of one mathematical formula to predict esthetic success. The golden proportion is present between the central to lateral incisor in some cases, but rarely between the lateral incisor and the canine. When compared to the other proportions, the golden percentage provided better starting points for tooth shape and size, but only when values were adjusted to consider other factors such as ethnicity and/or facial proportions.

Conclusion

Mathematical formulas did not provide consistent results that would allow for their use as a standardized guide for esthetically pleasing smiles. Although the golden percentage may be a good starting point if the percentages are adjusted on a case‐by‐case basis, generalized esthetic ideals cannot be determined by a mathematical formula and are open to interpretation by both the clinician and the patient.
Review of atrial fibrillation for the general paediatrician
Authors: Taylor Luke Edward , Pflaumer Andreas
Published: August 2021

Paediatric atrial fibrillation (AF) is an infrequent entity in the absence of congenital heart disease as children are unlikely to have the structural and functional changes in their myocardium to sustain the arrhythmia. Any child presenting with this arrhythmia needs to be carefully evaluated for concealed cardiac pathology such as cardiomyopathy or inherited arrhythmia syndromes. AF leading to a haemodynamically unstable patient is rare and should prompt synchronised cardioversion, while stable patients can be discussed with a paediatric cardiologist. Tachycardia‐induced cardiomyopathy and thromboembolism are possible complications of sustained AF and anticoagulation is usually indicated to prevent the latter. Risk of AF increases with age and body mass index. Obesity and athletics are known risk factors and recurrence can be seen even in the absence of any identifiable underlying pathology.
A comparative time‐dependent study of hematology, serum gastrin concentrations, and gastroscopic assessment of meloxicam‐induced gastric ulceration in dogs
Authors: Elfadadny Ahmed , Mandour Ahmed S. , Ragab Rokaia F. , Alsharif Khalaf F. , Batiha Gaber El‐Saber , Samir Haney , Beder Noha A.
Published: August 2021

Background

Diagnosis of gastric ulcers by methods other than gastroscopy in dogs has been problematic for many years and biomarkers such as serum gastrin (SG) concentrations have been introduced as a noninvasive way to evaluate gastric diseases.

Objectives

To determine the time course changes in hematology, SG concentrations, and gastroscopic images of meloxicam‐induced gastric ulceration in dogs and identify a relationship between SG and gastroscopic image analysis in a clinical setting.

Animals

Fifteen crossbreed dogs.

Methods

Two groups: control (n = 5) and meloxicam‐treated (n = 10). The meloxicam‐treated group received meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg PO for 15 days. Clinical signs, hematology, SG, and image analysis (PI, pixel intensity; ID, integrated density; RA, relative area; and UI, ulcer index) of the gastroscopic examination were evaluated across time (T5, time 5 day; T10, time 10 day; and T15, time 15 day).

Results

Significant changes were observed among 3 time points and between the 2 groups in terms of SG, hematology, and gastroscopic image analysis. In the meloxicam‐treated group, decreases in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and packed cell volume at T10 and T15 (P = .0001) were observed, whereas SG, ID, and UI increased over time (P < .0001). The PI decreased significantly (P = .0001) in the meloxicam‐treated group compared to controls. Significant correlations were found between SG and PI, and ID and ulcer area (r = −0.89, 0.81, 0.64), respectively.

Conclusion and Clinical Importance

Gastroscopy is the gold standard for early descriptive diagnosis of gastric ulcerations in dogs, and SG is a good indicator for meloxicam‐induced gastric ulcers in dogs and can predict the gastroscopic score of the lesion.
Study and Scale Quality in Second Language Survey Research, 2009–2019: The Case of Anxiety and Motivation
Authors: Sudina Ekaterina
Published: August 2021

Research on anxiety and motivation in second language (L2) learning is proliferating. However, these two individual differences are commonly measured by self‐report questionnaires, the psychometric properties of which have been questioned. Building on previous works on study quality, this methodological synthesis systematically describes and evaluates the state of study and scale quality in L2 anxiety and motivation research. A total of 104 peer‐reviewed articles (113 independent samples) that used 340 L2 anxiety and motivation scales were coded for 84 features targeting: study, survey, and scale designs; participant demographics; scale validity and reliability; and reporting practices associated with transparency. The results show a number of strengths but also reveal multiple areas in need of methodological enhancement. The article concludes by highlighting areas that merit further investigation in the domain of L2 survey research and making recommendations for future studies.
Lack of genotype‐by‐environment interaction suggests limited potential for evolutionary changes in plasticity in the eastern oyster,Crassostrea virginica
Authors: Sirovy Kyle A. , Johnson Kevin M. , Casas Sandra M. , La Peyre Jerome F. , Kelly Morgan W.
Published: August 2021

Eastern oysters in the northern Gulf of Mexico are facing rapid environmental changes and can respond to this change via plasticity or evolution. Plasticity can act as an immediate buffer against environmental change, but this buffering could impact the organism's ability to evolve in subsequent generations. While plasticity and evolution are not mutually exclusive, the relative contribution and interaction between them remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the roles of plastic and evolved responses to environmental variation andPerkinsus marinusinfection inCrassostrea virginicaby using a common garden experiment with 80 oysters from six families outplanted at two field sites naturally differing in salinity. We use growth data,P. marinusinfection intensities, 3′ RNA sequencing (TagSeq) and low‐coverage whole‐genome sequencing to identify the effect of genotype, environment and genotype‐by‐environment interaction on the oyster's response to site. As one of first studies to characterize the joint effects of genotype and environment on transcriptomic and morphological profiles in a natural setting, we demonstrate thatC. virginicahas a highly plastic response to environment and that this response is parallel among genotypes. We also find that genes responding to genotype have distinct and opposing profiles compared to genes responding to environment with regard to expression levels, Ka/Ks ratios and nucleotide diversity. Our findings suggest thatC. virginicamay be able to buffer the immediate impacts of future environmental changes by altering gene expression and physiology, but the lack of genetic variation in plasticity suggests limited capacity for evolved responses.
Predictors of critical care nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression in response to COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Baraka Azza Abd Elrazek , Ramadan Fatma Hussein , Hassan Eman Arafa
Published: August 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic directly affects the psychological well‐being of critical care nurses. Several studies had investigated the psychological impact of the pandemic on nurses caring for patients with COVID‐19, but few were conducted to identify the predictors of this impact.

Aims

The objective of this study is to identify the predictors of critical care nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted in five intensive care units in five hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt.

Methods

An online questionnaire was distributed. It included socio‐demographic and work‐related data and the depression, anxiety, and stress scale scores of the nurses under study. A multiple linear regression model was developed to identify the predictors of critical care nurses' stress, anxiety, and depression in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

Two hundred (64%) of 308 nurses completed the electronic questionnaire. Significant predictors of stress included the number of infected colleagues (P < .001) and availability of hospital resources (P = .01). Significant predictors of anxiety were age, gender, satisfactory income (P < .001), years of experience, time spent caring for patients with COVID‐19 (P = .04), continuous training, number of infected colleagues (P = .01), and availability of hospital resources (P = .02). Finally, significant predictors of depression included gender, history of physical problems (P = .04), educational attainment, availability of hospital resources, history of psychological problems (P < .001), and number of infected colleagues (P = .001).

Conclusion

The hospital's lack of human and physical resources and the number of colleagues infected with COVID‐19 were the strongest predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression among nurses.

Relevance to clinical practice

Identifying the predictors of stress, anxiety, and depression among nurses who care for patients with COVID‐19 is a vital step in developing mental health promotion strategies to support nurses during this pandemic.
Physical and psychosocial comorbidities of pediatric hidradenitis suppurativa: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Seivright Justine R. , Collier Erin , Grogan Tristan , Hogeling Marcia , Shi Vivian Y. , Hsiao Jennifer L.
Published: August 2021

Background/Objectives

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is understudied in the pediatric population. Adult HS patients are known to have a high comorbidity burden. We aimed to describe physical and psychosocial comorbidities in a cohort of pediatric HS patients.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of pediatric HS patients at a single academic institution was conducted. Data on patient demographics, disease characteristics, and physical and psychosocial comorbidities in pediatric patients with HS were collected and analyzed.

Results

Seventy‐three pediatric patients were included in this study, 81% female. Mean (SD) age of HS disease onset was 12.6 (2.9) years. Comorbid conditions were reported in 68 of 73 (93%) patients. Significantly increased rates of several comorbidities were seen in our cohort as compared to the general US pediatric population. Metabolic and endocrine abnormalities were prevalent, with 52% (22/42) patients with obesity and 10% (6/59) with polycystic ovary syndrome. The most common cutaneous comorbidity was acne vulgaris, seen in 37% (27/73) of patients. Over one quarter (21/73, 29%) of patients had either an anxiety or depression disorder. Almost one‐fifth (14/73, 19%) of our cohort had a diagnosis of asthma and other reactive airway diseases. Only one‐third (24/73, 33%) of patients had documentation regarding impact of HS on their daily life. Overall, comorbidities largely did not significantly differ based on race, gender, or disease severity.

Conclusions

Pediatric patients with HS face a high‐comorbidity burden, especially with psychiatric conditions. Early identification, including routine mental health screening, and management of comorbidities is warranted in the pediatric HS population.
Geographic variation in caesarean delivery in India
Authors: Rodgers Justin , Lee Hwa‐Young , Kim Rockli , Mor Nachiket , Subramanian S. V.
Published: August 2021

Background

The rate of caesarean delivery has increased markedly both globally and within India. However, there is considerable variation within countries. No previous studies have examined the relative importance of multiple geographic levels in shaping the distribution of caesarean delivery and to what extent they can be explained by individual‐level risk factors.

Objectives

To describe geographic variation in caesarean delivery and quantify the contribution of individual‐level risk factors to the variation in India.

Methods

We conducted four‐level logistic regression analysis to partition total variation in caesarean delivery to three geographic levels (states, districts and communities) and quantify the extent to which variance at each level was explained by a set of 20 sociodemographic, medical and institutional risk factors. Stratified analyses were conducted by the type of delivery facility (public/private).

Results

Overall prevalence of caesarean delivery was 19.3% in India in 2016. Most geographic variation was attributable to states (44%), followed by communities (32%), and lastly districts (24%). Adjustment for all risk factors explained 44%, 52% and 46% of variance for states, districts and communities, respectively. The proportion explained by individual risk factors was larger in public facilities than in private facilities at all three levels. A substantial proportion of between‐population variation still existed even after clustering of individual risk factors was comprehensively adjusted for.

Conclusions

Diverse contextual factors driving high or low rate of caesarean delivery at each geographic level should be explored in future studies so that tailored intervention can be implemented to reduce the overall variation in caesarean delivery.
Fungal diseases: Oral dysbiosis in susceptible hosts
Authors: Villar Cristina Cunha , Dongari‐Bagtzoglou Anna
Published: August 2021

The oral cavity is colonized by a large number of microorganisms that are referred to collectively as the oral microbiota. These indigenous microorganisms have evolved in symbiotic relationships with the oral mucosal immune system and are involved in maintaining homeostasis in the oral cavity. Although Candida species are commonly found in the healthy oral cavity without causing infection, these fungi can become pathogenic. Recents advances indicate that the development of oral candidiasis is driven both by Candida albicans overgrowth in a dysbiotic microbiome and by disturbances in the host's immune system. Perturbation of the oral microbiota triggered by host‐extrinsic (ie, medications), host‐intrinsic (ie, host genetics), and microbiome‐intrinsic (ie, microbial interactions) factors may increase the risk of oral candidiasis. In this review, we provide an overview of the oral mycobiome, with a particular focus on the interactions of Candida albicans with some of the most common oral bacteria and the oral mucosal immune system. Also, we present a summary of our current knowledge of the host‐intrinsic and host‐extrinsic factors that can predispose to oral candidiasis.
The human oral virome: Shedding light on the dark matter
Authors: Martínez April , Kuraji Ryutaro , Kapila Yvonne L.
Published: August 2021

Mediators of the initiation, development, and recurrence of periodontitis include the oral microbiome embedded in subgingival plaque and the host immune response to a dysbiosis within this dynamic and complex microbial community. Although mediators have been studied extensively, researchers in the field have been unable to fully ascribe certain clinical presentations of periodontitis to their nature. Emergence of high‐throughput sequencing technologies has resulted in better characterization of the microbial oral dysbiosis that extends beyond the extensively studied putative bacterial periodontopathogens to a shift in the oral virome composition during disease conditions. Although the biological dark matter inserted by retroviruses was once believed to be nonfunctional, research has revealed that it encodes historical viral‐eukaryotic interactions and influences host development. The objective of this review is to evaluate the proposed association of herpesviruses to the etiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease and survey the highly abundant prokaryotic viruses to delineate their potential roles in biofilm dynamics, as well as their interactions with putative bacterial periodontopathogens and eukaryotic cells. The findings suggest that potential novel periodontal therapies targeting or utilizing the oral virome can alleviate certain clinical presentations of periodontitis. Perhaps it is time to embrace the viral dark matter within the periodontal environment to fully comprehend the pathogenesis and systemic implications of periodontitis.
Impact of calorie restriction and intermittent fasting on periodontal health
Authors: Parveen Sameena
Published: August 2021

The scientific evidence indicates that calorie restriction and intermittent fasting are among the appropriate strategies targeting factual causative factors of various inflammatory and lifestyle‐related disorders. Periodontitis is a common oral inflammatory disease leading to bone loss that is associated with various systemic problems. Previous studies suggest that calorie restriction may dampen inflammation and concomitant tissue damage under inflammatory conditions, such as periodontal diseases in nonhuman primates. However, insufficient research has been carried out to assess the effects of a calorie‐restricted diet on the initiation and progression of periodontal disease in humans. This review of the literature aims to describe the general concepts of calorie restriction, its clinical implications, and related therapeutic potential in controlling periodontal inflammation. The review shows that fasting regimen groups have shown lesser bone loss because of an increase in osteoprogenitor cells than non‐fasting groups. Calorie restriction dampens the inflammatory response and reduces circulating inflammatory mediators like tumor necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐6, matrix metalloproteinase‐8, matrix metalloproteinase‐9, and interleukin‐1‐beta in gingival crevicular fluid. However, the incorporation of this form of dietary intervention continues to be challenging in our current society, in which obesity is a major public concern. Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting can play a key role in the cost‐effective resolution of periodontal inflammation as a primary prevention strategy for the management of chronic inflammatory diseases, including periodontal diseases.
How firms use inbound Open Innovation practices over time: evidence from an exploratory multiple case study analysis
Authors: Pinarello Giordano , Trabucchi Daniel , Frattini Federico , Manfredi Latilla Vito
Published: August 2021

Firms are increasingly making use of Open Innovation in an attempt to get the most out of external ideas and knowledge in their innovation processes. The existing research on Open Innovation documents a broad set of practices that firms may use to implement inbound Open Innovation, which entail various degrees of integration with the external partner. There is also empirical evidence showing how firms move from a closed to an open approach to innovation over time. However, there is limited empirical work that documents if and how firms that start using open innovation change and evolve the practices through which inbound open innovation is implemented over time. This paper, relying on an exploratory analysis of nine case studies, adopts a temporal perspective to examine how and why firms use different practices for inbound open innovation over time, with attempts at offering a tentative explanation of the underlying drivers triggering this evolution. This paper contributes to the scholarly debate on the organisational enablers of Open Innovation and provides managers involved in open innovation activities with insights into the factors that may determine changes in their use of different inbound open innovation practices over time.