bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cerebellar ataxia and exercise intolerance in Erdheim-Chester disease
Authors: Lauricella Eleonora , d’Amati Antonio , Ingravallo Giuseppe , Foresio Maurizio , Ribatti Domenico , de Tommaso Marina , Cives Mauro , Girolamo Francesco
Published: January 2021

Background

Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD), a rare disorder of monocyte/macrophage lineage, has been related to cerebellar dysfunction. To increase the awareness of this rare, protean disease, an unusual, myasthenia-like onset of ECD is reported.

Case presentation

A 42-year-old man presented with a 6-year history of mild evening fatigability in his four limbs followed by motor and cognitive symptoms associated with cerebellar atrophy, dentate nuclei and dentato-thalamic pathway degeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintense signals in T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences within the pons, cerebellar white matter, dentate nuclei and globi pallidi in the absence of any contrast enhancement. Whole-body bone scintigraphy with 99Technetium - methylene diphosphonate and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography both revealed symmetric uptake in the lower extremities a finding suggestive of a diagnosis of ECD. Histological examination revealed diffuse infiltration of CD 68+ histiocytes with foamy cytoplasms in the presence of B-type of Rapidly Accelerated Fibrosarcoma protein kinase (BRAF)V600E activating mutation in tumor cells.

Conclusion

In patients with myasthenia-like symptoms who test negatively for myasthenia gravis, neurodegenerative diseases, and disorders of the hypothalamus, a diagnosis of ECD should be taken into consideration.
The comparison of the effect of flaxseed oil and vitamin E on mastalgia and nodularity of breast fibrocystic: a randomized double-blind clinical trial
Authors: Godazandeh Gholamali , Ala Shahram , Motlaq Tahereh Madani , Sahebnasagh Adeleh , Bazi Aliyeh
Published: January 2021

Background

Fibrocystic changes are a common benign condition in women aged 20–50. The medical intervention aims to stop fibrocystic disease progress and relieve the breast’s pain and tenderness. In the long-term, reversing the fibrocystic changes is also desirable.

Methods

In this randomized double-blind clinical trial, the effect of flaxseed oil on the severity of pain and breast nodularity was investigated against vitamin E. This study was conducted on 100 women with mastalgia. The intervention group received Flaxseed oil pearls and the control group received vitamin E pearl 200 IU twice a day for 2 months. The duration and severity of breast pain were evaluated by Cardiff chart and VAS (Visual Analogue Scale). The nodularity was assessed by Lucknow-Cardiff scale at baseline, then the first and second months of intervention.

Results

At baseline, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in characteristics. The breast pain improved in both groups during the first and second months of intervention (P-value within group< 0.001). However, the mean breast pain was not significantly different between the two groups at the end of the first and second month (P1= 0.54, P2= 0.73). Furthermore, the breast pain during four phases of the menstrual cycle showed no difference between vitamin E and flaxseed oil groups (menstruation phase= 0.76, follicular phase= 0.48, the first week of luteal phase= 0.86, the second week of luteal phase=0.30). The breast nodularity also decreased during the first and second months of intervention, yet no significant difference between the two groups was found (p= 0.9).

Conclusions

This study showed that flaxseed oil and vitamin E both could be effective in breast pain-relieving and decreasing nodularity with minimal side effects in contrast with the baseline. But there are no significant differences between these two agents. Larger scale prospective studies are needed to evaluate these effects in the long-term.

Trial registration

IRCT201612243014N18, Registration date: 2017-10-15.
The therapeutic strategy for advanced gastric cancer with pyloric stenosis and liver metastasis; successfully treated by gastro-jejunal bypass and chemotherapy first, followed by curative R0 resection
Authors: Nakamichi Naosuke , Tsujiura Masahiro , Matsui Tomohiro , Yamamoto Taiga , Yoshioka Ayana , Hiramoto Hidekazu , Ouchi Yoshimi , Ishimoto Takeshi , Kosuga Toshiyuki , Mochizuki Satoshi , Nakashima Susumu , Bamba Masamichi , Masuyama Mamoru , Otsuji Eigo
Published: January 2021

Background

The indication of surgical resection for liver metastasis from gastric cancer (GC) is still limited and controversial because of its more aggressive oncological characteristics than liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Pyloric stenosis causes an inadequate oral intake and malnutrition in GC patients. We herein report a case of GC with these two factors that was successfully treated by the combination of gastro-jejunal bypass and chemotherapy, followed by curative R0 resection.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old man was diagnosed with type 2 GC with liver metastasis and pyloric stenosis, which was confirmed as the HER2-positive type. He underwent gastrojejunostomy and received capecitabine and cisplatin (XP) + trastuzumab chemotherapy. After three courses of the XP + trastuzumab regimen, shrinkage of the primary lesion and liver metastasis was confirmed and his nutritional parameters markedly improved with a stable oral intake after bypass surgery. He underwent curative R0 resection by distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and partial hepatectomy. Histologically, viable tumor cells were observed in less than one-third of the primary lesion, and only scar tissue without viable cancer cells was noted in the resected liver specimen. His postoperative course was uneventful, and recurrence has not been detected in the 30 months after surgery without adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusion

The present case report describes a successful strategy for advanced GC with pyloric stenosis and liver metastasis.
Efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for patient with morbid obesity and type 1 diabetes mellitus: a case report
Authors: Ichikawa Hidetaka , Imoto Hirofumi , Tanaka Naoki , Musha Hiroaki , Sawada Shojiro , Naitoh Takeshi , Kamei Takashi , Unno Michiaki
Published: January 2021

Background

Bariatric surgery is effective for the treatment of patients with morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), for body weight loss and glycemic control. However, in Japan, there has been no previous report of the effectiveness bariatric surgery in a case of morbid obesity associated with acute onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), in which pancreatic β-cells were destroyed and endogenous insulin was depleted.

Case presentation

A 36-year-old woman with morbid obesity and T1DM, diagnosed when she was 6 years, was admitted for bariatric surgery. At her first consultation, she had a body weight of 106.7 kg and a body mass index of 42.2 kg/m2. Her HbA1c level was 9.0%, with a required daily insulin dose of 75 units. She underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. At 1 year after surgery, her body weight had decreased to 81.0 kg and her body mass index to 32.2 kg/m2. In addition, her daily required dose of insulin had decreased to 24 units, with an improvement in her HbA1c level to 7.7%.

Conclusions

Although further evidence needs to be accumulated, including long-term outcomes, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy may provide an effective treatment for patients with morbid obesity and T1DM for body weight loss, improvement in HbA1c level, and insulin dose reduction.
Spontaneous regression of breast cancer with immune response: a case report
Authors: Ohara Masahiro , Koi Yumiko , Sasada Tatsunari , Kajitani Keiko , Mizuno Seishi , Takata Ai , Okamoto Atsuko , Nagata Ikuko , Sumita Mie , Imachi Kaita , Watanabe Mayumi , Daimaru Yutaka , Kawamura Shingo
Published: January 2021

Background

Spontaneous regression (SR) is a rare phenomenon in which a cancer disappears or remits without treatment. We report a case of breast cancer that showed spontaneous tumor regression in the surgical specimen after core needle biopsy.

Case presentation

A 59-year-old woman came to our hospital complaining of a painful lump in the right breast. In the upper-outer quadrant of the right breast, a tumor with an unclear boundary, 30 mm in diameter, was palpable. In pathological findings from needle biopsy, the tumor was diagnosed as solid-type invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Partial coagulation necrosis was generated in estrogen receptor-negative, HER2-negative, and AE1/AE3-positive ductal carcinoma without infiltration of lymphocytes. Surgery for right breast cancer was then performed. Histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed the tumor was invasive ductal carcinoma with lymphocyte infiltration, coagulation necrosis, and fibrous tissue with hemosiderin. The tumor formed a solid nest, 3 mm in diameter, suggesting the possibility of SR.

Conclusions

Immune responses, infection, hormones, surgical stress, and ischemia have been reported as mechanisms of SR. The findings in this case strongly suggest that SR of breast cancer is associated with anti-tumor immune responses.
The Surfer’s Shoulder: A Systematic Review of Current Literature and Potential Pathophysiological Explanations of Chronic Shoulder Complaints in Wave Surfers
Authors: Langenberg Lisette Charlotte , Vieira Lima Guilherme , Heitkamp Sebastiaan Emanuel , Kemps Floortje Lutgart Arnoldus Maria , Jones Matthew Simon , Moreira Miguel António de Almeida Garcia , Eygendaal Denise
Published: January 2021

Background

Wave surfing will debut in the next Olympic Games and is increasingly popular as a sport. Chronic shoulder complaints are frequently reported amongst surfers, though literature researching its pathophysiology and prevention is scarce. This article provides an overview of the current literature, proposes a potential pathogenesis and a potential physiotherapeutic prevention program for surf-induced shoulder complaints.

Methods

A systematic review was performed considering the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for articles regarding kinematic analysis of the surf paddling movement. Data sources were Embase, MEDLINE (PubMed) and Research gate. We included case series and cohort studies that originally studied or described the paddle movement made by wave surfers, studies that reported on kinesiologic analysis with nerve conduction studies and studies on 3D motion analysis of the shoulder while paddling.

Results

Eight original articles were included that analysed the shoulder movement in paddling surfers. Muscles that are active during paddling are mainly internal rotators and muscles that are involved in shoulder flexion. Internal rotators are active in propelling the surfer through the water, though external rotator strength is only used while the arm is out of the water.

Discussion

In surfers with shoulder complaints, external rotation range of motion and external rotation strength are impaired. Scapulothoracic dyskinesis may occur and subacromial pain syndrome may coincide. Further research should address potential pectoralis minor shortening, which may lead to aberrant scapular tilt and lateral rotation of the scapula. The surfer’s shoulder is characterised by external rotation deficit, as opposed to internal rotation deficit in the thrower’s shoulder, and it differs substantially from shoulder complaints in swimmers. Therefore, a specific prevention or rehabilitation protocol for surfers is required. Decreased thoracic extension may thereby alter the risk of scapular dyskinesis and hence increase the risk of impingement around the shoulder joint. A potential physiotherapeutic prevention programme should address all these aspects, with the main goal being to increase external rotator strength and to stretch the internal rotators.

Conclusion

There is a high incidence of chronic surf-induced shoulder complaints in surfers. Symptoms may arise due to imbalanced training or scapular dyskinesis, which may subsequently trigger subacromial pain. Physiotherapeutic prevention should include stretching of the internal rotators, external rotator training and optimisation of thoracic extension and scapulothoracic movement.
Current technology for identifying dental implants: a narrative review
Authors: Saghiri Mohammad Ali , Freag Peter , Fakhrzadeh Amir , Saghiri Ali Mohammad , Eid Jessica
Published: January 2021

Background

This paper outlines the current status and mechanism for identifying dental implants, with emphasis on future direction and updated technology, and covers the existing factors influencing the identification of implant systems.

Main body

A search was performed on the current methods of identifying dental implants between January 2000 through Feb 2020 using online databases for articles published in English. The search was performed using the Google, Rutgers library, PubMed, MEDLINE databases via OVID using the following keywords: implant types identification by x-ray imaging, forensic identification of dental implant, surface types, threaded, non-threaded, software identification, recent technologies, which evaluated different methods in the identification of dental implants and its clinical importance for the dentist and the patient. Of the 387 articles found in initial search results, 10 met the inclusion criteria set for this review. These 10 studies were directly related to the identification of different implant systems. Many studies have indicated identifying dental implants as problematic due to many confounding factors, and the difficulty in finding the specific parts for the dental implant itself. The contribution of digital dentistry is critical. Factors like increasing number of implant manufacturers, dental tourism, and cost, make it difficult to detect and match dental implants by dentists during the chairside time.

Conclusion

These factors give rise to the need for a new system to help clinicians in decision making. Artificial intelligence seems to have shown potential to help in this case. However, detailed regulatory mechanisms are still needed for diagnosis and analysis.
Musculoskeletal ultrasonographic evaluation of perineural injection therapy versus therapeutic ultrasound in chronic lateral epicondylitis
Authors: El-Badawy Mohja Ahmed , El-Nagaar Hanaa Ahmed , Mohammed Mona Mansour , Assaf Naglaa Youssef , EL-Mallah Reem Mohammed Ezz El-Din
Published: January 2021

Background

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common disorder causing pain and functional limitations especially in athletes and manual workers. There is a growing interest in regenerative injection therapies in chronic LE. One of those suggested is perineural injection (PNI) therapy. The present study aims to find out the efficacy of PNI therapy in the treatment of chronic LE as compared to therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) and to detect if any changes have happened after treatment to the common extensor tendon (CEO) as detected by diagnostic ultrasound (US) examination.

Results

Statistical analysis between the 2 groups at the start of the study as regards age, sex, and clinical parameters including visual analog scale (VAS), tenderness grading scale, and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) Questionnaire revealed a non-significant difference between both groups (p > 0.05). After 12 weeks, within-group analysis showed significant improvement in all clinical outcome measures in both groups compared to the initial assessment.

Between-group analysis after 12 weeks showed that the tenderness grading scale and PRTEE score had more significant improvement in the PNI therapy group. However, the two groups were comparable regarding VAS. Within-group US evaluation at the 12th week post-treatment showed a highly significant decrease in hypoechoic areas (p < 0.001) and a decrease in distributed fibrillar pattern in PNI group, while the TUS group demonstrated a significant decrease in hypoechoic areas and tendon thickness (p < 0.005). Between-group US evaluation after 12 weeks showed no significant difference in all assessed US parameters. No complications were observed in both groups.

Conclusions

A short-term follow-up regimen of 1 session/week of PNI therapy is significantly more effective than 3 sessions/week of TUS regarding the improvement of pain and functional status. Yet both therapeutic modalities were able to produce significantly positive structural changes in the CEO. The current study highlights the neurogenic inflammation as the primary pain generator in chronic LE and the advantage of its treatment with PNI therapy in chronic and refractory cases.
Adding ceramic polishing waste as filler to reduce paste volume and improve carbonation and water resistances of mortar
Authors: Li Leo Gu , Ouyang Yi , Zhuo Zhen-Yao , Kwan Albert Kwok Hung
Published: January 2021

The use of ceramic waste in concrete/mortar production as aggregate replacement or cement replacement has been under consideration in the last decade to find an effective way to tackle the growing hazard of ceramic waste disposal. In this study, the authors reutilize ceramic polishing waste (CPW) as a filler to replace an equal volume of cement paste in mortar while keeping the mixture proportions of the cement paste unchanged, i.e., in a new way as paste replacement. This mixture design strategy allows a larger amount of CPW to be added to substantially reduce the paste volume, cement and carbon footprint. The mortar mixes so produced had been subjected to carbonation and water absorption tests, and the results showed that as paste replacement, the CPW can significantly enhance the carbonation and water resistances, in addition to the environmental benefits of reducing waste, cement and carbon footprint. Regression analysis of test results indicated that for carbonation resistance, the cementing efficiency factor of the CPW was around 0.5, whereas for water resistance, the cementing efficiency factor was higher than 1.0 at low CPW content and lower than 1.0 at high CPW content.
Ctdp1 deficiency leads to early embryonic lethality in mice and defects in cell cycle progression in MEFs
Authors: Qiao Fangfang , Law Henry C.-H. , Krieger Kimiko L. , Clement Emalie J. , Xiao Yi , Buckley Shannon M. , Woods Nicholas T.
Published: January 2021

RNA polymerase II subunit A Carboxy-Terminal Domain Phosphatase 1 (CTDP1), a member of the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily phosphatases, has a defined role in transcriptional regulation, but emerging evidence suggests an expanded functional repertoire in the cell cycle and DNA damage response. In humans, a splice site mutation in CTDP1 gives rise to the rare Congenital Cataracts Facial Dysmorphism and Neuropathy syndrome, and recent evidence from our lab indicates CTDP1 is required for breast cancer growth and proliferation. To explore the physiological function of CTDP1 in a mammalian system, we generated a conditional Ctdp1 knockout mouse model by insertion of loxP sites upstream of exon 3 and downstream of exon 4. Biallelic deletion of Ctdp1 results in lethality before embryonic day 7.5, with morphological features indicating embryo cell death and resorption. However, Ctdp1+/− mice are haplosufficient for phenotypic traits including body weight, hematological parameters, exploratory and locomotive functions. To investigate the potential mechanisms of the embryonic death caused by biallelic Ctdp1 knockout, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were established from Ctdp1+/+ and Ctdp1flox/flox mice. Lentivirus delivered Cre-mediated biallelic deletion of Ctdp1 in MEFs results in cell death preceded by impaired proliferation characterized by an increase in G1- and G2-phase populations and a reduction in the S-phase population. These cell cycle alterations caused by deletion of Ctdp1 are associated with an increase in p27 protein expression and a decrease in phosphorylated RB, phosphorylated Histone H3, and Cyclin B expression. Together, these results reveal that Ctdp1 plays an essential role in early mouse embryo development and cell growth and survival in part by regulating the cell cycle.
Eggshell membrane for DNA sexing of the endangered Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo)
Authors: Yuda Pramana , Saputra Andie Wijaya
Published: January 2021

Background: Noninvasive DNA sampling has been applied across many avian genetic studies for a variety of purposes including conservation and management of endangered birds. However, its application in megapodes is still lacking. The previous genetic studies on megapodes used either blood or fresh tissue. Here we present the first demonstration of the use of eggshell membrane for research on endangered Maleo (Macrocephalon maleo). 

Methods: We used 24 post-hatched eggshell membranes collected from two different sites, Tambun and Tanjung Binerean, in North Sulawesi, 12 samples in each. Two different DNA extraction methods: alkaline lysis method and gSYNCTM DNA Extraction Kit were applied.  To determine the sex of Maleo, we utilized PCR-based DNA sexing using CHD genes, with the primer set 2550F/2718R. 

Results: We successfully extracted all samples; the mean sample concentration was 267.5 ng/µl (range 47–510.5 ng/µl) and samples were of high purity (A260/280 ratio 1.85±0.03). All samples were used to successfully identified sexes, 9 females and 15 males. 

Conclusions: Our research clearly illustrates that eggshell membranes can be used for DNA sexing and open the possibility to build noninvasive DNA collections over large spatial scales for population study of endangered birds.
Adverse events following measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine: an independent perspective on Italian pharmacovigilance data
Authors: Bellavite Paolo , Donzelli Alberto
Published: January 2021

Vaccine surveillance programs are crucial for the analysis of the vaccine’s safety profile and the guidance of health policies. The Epidemiological Observatory of the Italian Apulia Region carried out an active surveillance program of adverse effects following immunization (AEFI) after the first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine, finding 462 AEFIs per 1000 doses, with 11% rated serious. Applying the World Health Organization (WHO) causality assessment algorithm, 38 serious AEFIs/1000 enrolled were classified as ‘consistent causal associations’ with MMRV immunization. Severe hyperpyrexia, neurological symptoms and gastrointestinal diseases occurred in 38, 20 and 15 cases/1000 enrolled, respectively. A projection of such AEFIs in an Italian birth cohort would give tens of thousands of serious AEFIs. These incidence data are much greater than the incidence of serious AEFIs reported by the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) for years 2017 and 2018, mainly based on passive (or mixed) pharmacovigilance. In a previous epidemiological study in the same Italian Region, during an eight year passive surveillance, the reporting rate of serious AEFI was 0.06/1000 doses, and no cases of febrile seizures were detected applying the WHO algorithm. Taken together, the data suggest that passive pharmacovigilance is utterly inadequate to document the real incidence of serious AEFIs and that current methods of assessing causality may be questioned. Active surveillance programs are required in representative population samples, with results presented separately from those of spontaneous reporting, and causality assessment should be performed carefully and using a correct technique for AEFIs presenting as complex and multifactorial diseases, like those with serious neurologic disorders.
CORONAVIRUS, LOCKDOWN, AND ECONOMY
Authors: Gomez Helmuth , Antosova Gabriela
Published: January 2021

Humanity has faced an unprecedented biological threat that collapsed the global economy and engulfed the animal spirits in a severe wave of pessimism and fear. The measures of policy have combined an expansive monetary policy and an extra fiscal expenditure that was not contemplated in the budgetary planning exercise. The recuperation stage is strongly challenging and requires all efforts of economic policy. The future global economic performance relies on the breaking policy postures that can succeed in realigning the path of growth in the long run. In any case, the destruction in the economic network and employment is so hard to restore that we must avoid the risk is to align the economy in a more stagnant path of growth for the future. The concluding part of the paper states that during the pandemic we saw that the way ahead should not be headed by the market mechanism but instead by an openly interventionist economic policy. In this blatantly ominous stage of the economy, serious doubts emerged about the ability of spontaneous supply and demand forces to recover the economic structure left in shambles by this disruptive shock.
THE DEFINITION OF FAMILY IN INTERNATIONAL AND EU LAW
Authors: Stych Marek
Published: January 2021

The family is the oldest social group. It can be observed at all the stages of the development of particular societies and in all countries, regardless of their political systems. Therefore it is a natural element of the social structure, defined as the basic unit of social life. Along with socio-cultural changes, it undergoes various transformations. The changes affect the adopted models of family life or intra-family relations. They also leave a mark on the concept of family itself. Its definition and status are determined by factors such as: one's place of residence, being part of a specific social structure (education, professional group, financial situation), and religious affiliation. Another relevant factor is one’s political affiliation. Although the family is evolving (e.g. the way we understand it and its functions are changing), it still remains the basic unit within which specific processes take place, such as passing on values, norms, and patterns of behavior. The article aims to present selected international, European, and Polish legal solutions about the definition of the family and some of its features. The interpretation of international standards relating to the family and its members aims to answer the question of whether the concept of the family itself is permanent in the law, or whether it is evolving. The research method used in the paper is the dogmatic and legal method. The article ends with conclusions. relationships.
Freeform optics for imaging
Authors: Rolland Jannick P. , Davies Matthew A. , Suleski Thomas J. , Evans Chris , Bauer Aaron , Lambropoulos John C. , Falaggis Konstantinos
Published: January 2021

In the last 10 years, freeform optics has enabled compact and high-performance imaging systems. This article begins with a brief history of freeform optics, focusing on imaging systems, including marketplace emergence. The development of this technology is motivated by the clear opportunity to enable science across a wide range of applications, spanning from extreme ultraviolet lithography to space optics. Next, we define freeform optics and discuss concurrent engineering that brings together design, fabrication, testing, and assembly into one process. We then lay out the foundations of the aberration theory for freeform optics and emerging design methodologies. We describe fabrication methods, emphasizing deterministic computer numerical control grinding, polishing, and diamond machining. Next, we consider mid-spatial frequency errors that inherently result from freeform fabrication techniques. We realize that metrologies of freeform optics are simultaneously sparse in their existence but diverse in their potential. Thus, we focus on metrology techniques demonstrated for the measurement of freeform optics. We conclude this review with an outlook on the future of freeform optics.
A descriptive study of zoonotic disease risk at the human-wildlife interface in a biodiversity hot spot in South Western Uganda
Authors: Namusisi Shamilah , Mahero Michael , Travis Dominic , Pelican Katherine , Robertson Cheryl , Mugisha Lawrence
Published: January 2021

Zoonotic diseases pose a significant health challenge at the human–wildlife interface, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa where ecosystem services contribute significantly to local livelihoods and individual well-being. In Uganda, the fragmented forests of Hoima district, form part of a “biodiversity and emerging infectious disease hotspot” composed of communities with high dependency on these wildlife protected areas, unaware of the associated health risks. We conducted a cross-sectional mixed methods study from March to May 2017 and interviewed 370 respondents, using a semi-structured questionnaire from eight villages neighbouring forest fragments in Hoima District, Uganda. Additionally, a total of ten (10) focus group discussions (FGDs) consisting of 6–10 men or women were conducted to further explore the drivers of hunting and perception of zoonotic disease risks at community level. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using content analysis and STATA version 12 respectively. We found twenty-nine percent (29.0%, CI: 24.4–33.9) of respondents were engaged in hunting of wildlife such as chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and 45.8% (CI: 40.6–51.0), cane rats (Thryonomyidae spp). Acquisition of animal protein was among the main reasons why communities hunt (55.3%, CI: 50.1–60.4), followed by “cultural” and “medicinal” uses of wildlife and or its parts (22.7%, CI: 18.6–27.4). Results further revealed that hunting and bushmeat consumption is persistent for other perceived reasons like; bushmeat strengthens the body, helps mothers recover faster after delivery, boosts one’s immunity and hunting is exercise for the body. However, respondents reported falling sick after consumption of bushmeat at least once (7.9%, CI: 5.3–11.1), with 5.3% (CI: 2.60–9.60) reporting similar symptoms among some family members. Generally, few respondents (37.0%, CI: 32.1–42.2) were aware of diseases transmissible from wildlife to humans, although 88.7% (CI: 85.0–92.0) had heard of Ebola or Marburg without context. Hunting non-human primate poses a health risk compared to edible rats (cane rats) and wild ruminants (cOR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.1–0.9) and (cOR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.2–2.1) respectively. Study suggests some of the pathways for zoonotic disease spillover to humans exist at interface areas driven by livelihoods, nutrition and cultural needs. This study offers opportunities for a comprehensive risk communication and health education strategy for communities living at the interface of wildlife and human interactions.
80 questions for UK biological security
Authors: Kemp Luke , Aldridge David C. , Booy Olaf , Bower Hilary , Browne Des , Burgmann Mark , Burt Austin , Cunningham Andrew A. , Dando Malcolm , Dick Jaimie T. A. , Dye Christopher , Weiss Evans Sam , Gallardo Belinda , Godfray H. Charles J. , Goodfellow Ian , Gubbins Simon , Holt Lauren A. , Jones Kate E. , Kandil Hazem , Martin Phillip , McCaughan Mark , McLeish Caitríona , Meany Thomas , Millett Kathryn , ÓhÉigeartaigh Sean S. , Patron Nicola J. , Rhodes Catherine , Roy Helen E. , Shackelford Gorm , Smith Derek , Spence Nicola , Steiner Helene , Sundaram Lalitha S. , Voeneky Silja , Walker John R. , Watkins Harry , Whitby Simon , Wood James , Sutherland William J.
Published: January 2021

Multiple national and international trends and drivers are radically changing what biological security means for the United Kingdom (UK). New technologies present novel opportunities and challenges, and globalisation has created new pathways and increased the speed, volume and routes by which organisms can spread. The UK Biological Security Strategy (2018) acknowledges the importance of research on biological security in the UK. Given the breadth of potential research, a targeted agenda identifying the questions most critical to effective and coordinated progress in different disciplines of biological security is required. We used expert elicitation to generate 80 policy-relevant research questions considered by participants to have the greatest impact on UK biological security. Drawing on a collaboratively-developed set of 450 questions, proposed by 41 experts from academia, industry and the UK government (consulting 168 additional experts) we subdivided the final 80 questions into six categories: bioengineering; communication and behaviour; disease threats (including pandemics); governance and policy; invasive alien species; and securing biological materials and securing against misuse. Initially, the questions were ranked through a voting process and then reduced and refined to 80 during a one-day workshop with 35 participants from a variety of disciplines. Consistently emerging themes included: the nature of current and potential biological security threats, the efficacy of existing management actions, and the most appropriate future options. The resulting questions offer a research agenda for biological security in the UK that can assist the targeting of research resources and inform the implementation of the UK Biological Security Strategy. These questions include research that could aid with the mitigation of Covid-19, and preparation for the next pandemic. We hope that our structured and rigorous approach to creating a biological security research agenda will be replicated in other countries and regions. The world, not just the UK, is in need of a thoughtful approach to directing biological security research to tackle the emerging issues.
Parent-child attachment and good behavior habits among Chinese children: Chain mediation effect of parental involvement and psychological Suzhi
Authors: Mo Xiaoling , Wang Zhi , Shao Jingjin
Published: January 2021

This study examines the mediation effect of parental involvement and psychological Suzhi between the relationship of parent-child attachment and good behavior habits in Chinese children. The participants comprised 563 children from four Chinese kindergartens (4.41±0.96) whose parents reported measures of parent-child attachment, parental involvement, psychological Suzhi, and good behavior habits in their children. The results indicated that (1) Parental attachment, parental involvement and psychological Suzhi were positively correlated with good behavior habits of young children; (2) Parental involvement and psychological Suzhi mediated the relationship between parent-child attachment and good behavior habits in children separately; (3) Parent-child attachment indirectly affected children’s good behavior habits through the path of “parental involvement and psychological Suzhi.”
Backbone: An R package for extracting the backbone of bipartite projections
Authors: Domagalski Rachel , Neal Zachary P. , Sagan Bruce
Published: January 2021

Bipartite projections are used in a wide range of network contexts including politics (bill co-sponsorship), genetics (gene co-expression), economics (executive board co-membership), and innovation (patent co-authorship). However, because bipartite projections are always weighted graphs, which are inherently challenging to analyze and visualize, it is often useful to examine the ‘backbone,’ an unweighted subgraph containing only the most significant edges. In this paper, we introduce the R package backbone for extracting the backbone of weighted bipartite projections, and use bill sponsorship data from the 114th session of the United States Senate to demonstrate its functionality.
Probabilistic models of biological enzymatic polymerization
Authors: Hampton Marshall , Galey Miranda , Smoniewski Clara , Zimmer Sara L.
Published: January 2021

In this study, hierarchies of probabilistic models are evaluated for their ability to characterize the untemplated addition of adenine and uracil to the 3’ ends of mitochondrial mRNAs of the human pathogen Trypanosoma brucei, and for their generative abilities to reproduce populations of these untemplated adenine/uridine “tails”. We determined the most ideal Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) for this biological system. While our HMMs were not able to generatively reproduce the length distribution of the tails, they fared better in reproducing nucleotide composition aspects of the tail populations. The HMMs robustly identified distinct states of nucleotide addition that correlate to experimentally verified tail nucleotide composition differences. However they also identified a surprising subclass of tails among the ND1 gene transcript populations that is unexpected given the current idea of sequential enzymatic action of untemplated tail addition in this system. Therefore, these models can not only be utilized to reflect biological states that we already know about, they can also identify hypotheses to be experimentally tested. Finally, our HMMs supplied a way to correct a portion of the sequencing errors present in our data. Importantly, these models constitute rare simple pedagogical examples of applied bioinformatic HMMs, due to their binary emissions.
Changes in awareness and knowledge concerning mother-to-child infections among Japanese pregnant women between 2012 and 2018
Authors: Suga Shutaro , Fujioka Kazumichi , Nakasone Ruka , Abe Shinya , Fukushima Sachiyo , Ashina Mariko , Nishida Kosuke , Nozu Kandai , Iijima Kazumoto , Tanimura Kenji , Yamada Hideto
Published: January 2021

This study aimed to investigate the long-term changes in awareness of and knowledge about mother-to-child infections across 6 years in Japan. A questionnaire survey was conducted at our facility from October 2012 to January 2018, and the study periods were divided into 4 phases comprising 16 months each. A multiple-choice questionnaire assessed participants’ awareness of the following 13 pathogens of mother-to-child infections: cytomegalovirus (CMV),Toxoplasma gondii(T.gondii), hepatitis B virus, rubella virus, herpes simplex virus, parvovirus B19, hepatitis C virus, human immunodeficiency virus, human T cell leukemia virus type-1, measles virus, varicella-zoster virus,Chlamydia trachomatis, andTreponema pallidum. For the selected four pathogens (i.e., CMV, rubella virus,T.gondii, and parvovirus B19), the questionnaire also evaluated participants’ knowledge of transmission routes, the most susceptible time of infection that could yield severe fetal disease during pregnancy, the maximum frequency of fetal infection in cases of maternal infection, and methods to prevent maternal infection. In total, 1433 pregnant Japanese women were included in this study. There was no secular change in awareness of the pathogens concerning mother-to-child infections over time, and we also clarified that the detailed knowledge of the four pathogens of typical mother-to-child infections did not improve. Since knowledge about methods to prevent maternal infection is still insufficient for all pathogens, further advocacy is required to prevent mother-to-child infections.
Early warning of infectious disease outbreaks on cattle-transport networks
Authors: Schirdewahn Frederik , Lentz Hartmut H. K. , Colizza Vittoria , Koher Andreas , Hövel Philipp , Vidondo Beatriz
Published: January 2021

Surveillance of infectious diseases in livestock is traditionally carried out at the farms, which are the typical units of epidemiological investigations and interventions. In Central and Western Europe, high-quality, long-term time series of animal transports have become available and this opens the possibility to new approaches like sentinel surveillance. By comparing a sentinel surveillance scheme based on markets to one based on farms, the primary aim of this paper is to identify the smallest set of sentinel holdings that would reliably and timely detect emergent disease outbreaks in Swiss cattle. Using a data-driven approach, we simulate the spread of infectious diseases according to the reported or available daily cattle transport data in Switzerland over a four year period. Investigating the efficiency of surveillance at either market or farm level, we find that the most efficient early warning surveillance system [the smallest set of sentinels that timely and reliably detect outbreaks (small outbreaks at detection, short detection delays)] would be based on the former, rather than the latter. We show that a detection probability of 86% can be achieved by monitoring all 137 markets in the network. Additional 250 farm sentinels—selected according to their risk—need to be placed under surveillance so that the probability of first hitting one of these farm sentinels is at least as high as the probability of first hitting a market. Combining all markets and 1000 farms with highest risk of infection, these two levels together will lead to a detection probability of 99%. We conclude that the design of animal surveillance systems greatly benefits from the use of the existing abundant and detailed animal transport data especially in the case of highly dynamic cattle transport networks. Sentinel surveillance approaches can be tailored to complement existing farm risk-based and syndromic surveillance approaches.
Children as food designers: The potential of co-creation to make the healthy choice the preferred one
Authors: Galler Martina , Gonera Antje , Varela Paula
Published: January 2021

According to the WHO, childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the twenty-first century. In this context, finding ways to make the healthier food choices the preferred ones can be a valuable contribution to solving this multifaceted problem. Sensory and consumer science offers a wide range of tools that can support the development of healthy and well-accepted food alternatives. In traditional sensory and consumer science, children would be involved in the product development process either as testers or informants. However, in our opinion, it would be valuable to extend their role to co-creators or co-designers, an approach already more established in the field of innovation and design, where children actively participate in the idea generation and development of healthy food that they will like and choose. Our own experience has shown that involving children in the idea-generation step for healthy food can be highly motivating and stimulating for them. In this opinion article, we discuss why it is important to include children actively as a relevant consumer segment in product development and suggest a process and methods that could be valuable for brainstorming about food ideas with children.
Rethinking food well-being as reconciliation between pleasure and sustainability
Authors: Hedegaard Liselotte , Hémar-Nicolas Valerie
Published: January 2021

Food well-being has been addressed in consumer research over the past decade as a means to provide a more holistic perspective on consumers’ relationship to food. However, the interest has mainly been directed at individual choice and experience, meaning that the ethical foundations of well-being have received less attention. This foundation is important in the context of food as it provides an opportunity for outlining a new agenda for food well-being. Using food design as an overall framework, this article introduces Epicurean ethics as an underlying conceptual design that positions pleasure at the core of food well-being. Not in the sense of trivial hedonism, but as judicious consideration of what is pleasurable when individual and collective interest is weighed and short- and long-term consequences taken into account.
Valores contemporâneos do património: A paisagem cultural das Terras do Barroso
Authors: Capela de Campos Joana
Published: January 2021

A divergência sobre as ações de prospeção e exploração de lítio desenvolvidas a partir de 2012, nos concelhos de Montalegre e de Boticas, em Terras do Barroso (Portugal), levanta uma problemática radicada no âmbito do conhecimento e da interpretação do território.
Durante muitos séculos, o isolamento e o modo de viver em terras altas foram a tónica comum às comunidades barrosãs; a implementação pelo território obrigava, por um lado, a uma adaptação às condicionantes do lugar e, por outro lado, a um aproveitamento dos recursos disponíveis. Neste planalto barrosão, a inter-relação entre o homem e a natureza determinou uma unidade de paisagem, construída ao longo dos séculos, cujo equilíbrio foi sendo estabelecido pela conjugação e interdependência entre as condicionantes físicas do lugar e a cultura própria destas comunidades, com os seus usos, costumes, tradições e formas de habitar.
Deste modo, este trabalho pretende contribuir para a compreensão do sistema da paisagem cultural das Terras do Barroso, enquanto unidade composta ao longo do tempo. Recorrendo a um mapeamento teórico e operativo da arquitetura da sua paisagem, identifica-se a inter-relação estabelecida entre as diversas valências, componentes e constantes, levantadas e consideradas para este exercício.
A pertinência da problemática – incidida sobre a necessidade de compreensão dos valores contemporâneos do património, como a paisagem cultural – perspetiva-se a partir do momento que importa articular uma hierarquia de valores, desde os económicos e ambientais, até aos culturais e naturais, para que a qualidade desejável das decisões públicas possa ser alcançada.
Apólice de seguro contra cheias para a sustentabilidade dos investimentos
Authors: Gonçalves Maria da Glória Salgado
Published: January 2021

A localização das ocorrências de cheias e a tipologia das consequências, a responsabilidade das seguradoras e a confiança dos cidadãos tem-se como uma abertura ao debate das políticas sobre os investimentos sustentáveis. Os factos justificam-se com dados da imprensa periódica, regional e local, que fornece descrições detalhadas sobre as ocorrências, com uma aproximação à realidade testada em 84,3% para a Bacia Hidrográfica do rio Vez, entre 1900 e 2015. A inovação desta investigação tem a ver com a atribuição da apólice do seguro tendo em conta a distância entre o ponto que identifica o elemento exposto e o curso do rio mais próximo, e o número de meses mais chuvosos, que desencadeiam as cheias num determinado local. A utilidade da metodologia permite ainda avaliar e reajustar, ao longo do tempo, os efeitos dos  fatores e políticas sobre o valor das propriedades e/ou imóveis. Estes fatores contribuem para uma poupança dos investimentos para o estado, as empresas de seguros e para os segurados, que devido à criação da necessidade, provocará um reajuste da taxa de adesão ao seguro para a proteção contra este perigo. Assim, pretende-se demonstrar que a partir dos dados da frequência das cheias, da relação destas com a distância ao rio e dos meses do ano mais chuvosos, pode ser atribuído um valor da apólice de seguro mais justo para as partes interessadas, readaptando-o para a sustentabilidade hidrológica e dos investimentos. As adaptações da apólice melhoram as condições e a segurança contra este perigo.