bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National birth prevalence, associated anomalies and mortality for gastroschisis in Sweden
Authors: Caldeman Cecilia , Fogelström Anna , Oddsberg Jenny , Mesas Burgos Carmen , Löf Granström Anna
Published: May 2021

Aim

An increased incidence has been reported for the congenital abdominal wall defect gastroschisis. The reason for this increasing trend is not known, nor the aetiology. The aim of this study was to examine the national birth prevalence in Sweden, the termination rate, associated anomalies and the mortality of gastroschisis within the cohort.

Methods

A nationwide, population‐based descriptive study of children born with gastroschisis in Sweden between 1/1 1997 and 31/12 2016 was conducted. The cohort was collected from the Swedish Medical Birth Register and the Swedish National Patient Register. Several other national registers were then interlinked to identify outcome data.

Results

The study included 361 cases of gastroschisis, 54% female. The birth prevalence was 1.52 in 10,000 live births. The termination rate was 21%. The mortality within the cohort was 4.4% with a 1‐year mortality of 3.9%. Most frequent associated anomalies were gastrointestinal (11.4%), musculoskeletal (9.8%) and cardiovascular anomalies (7.9%).

Conclusion

During the 20‐year study period, a stable birth prevalence of 1.52 per 10 000 live births was seen in Sweden. The mortality was low, 4.4%, but the termination of pregnancies was high, 21%. Almost one‐third had associated congenital anomalies where gastrointestinal anomalies were the most common.
Mitochondria transfer from early stages of erythroblasts to their macrophage niche via tunnelling nanotubes
Authors: Yang Chong , Endoh Mitsuhiro , Tan Darren Q. , Nakamura‐Ishizu Ayako , Takihara Yuji , Matsumura Takayoshi , Suda Toshio
Published: May 2021

Adult erythropoiesis entails a series of well‐coordinated events that produce mature red blood cells. One of such events is the mitochondria clearance that occurs cell‐autonomously via autophagy‐dependent mechanisms. Interestingly, recent studies have shown mitochondria transfer activities between various cell types. In the context of erythropoiesis, macrophages are known to interact closely with the early stages of erythroblasts to provide a specialized niche, termed erythroblastic islands (EBI). However, whether mitochondria transfer can occur in the EBI niche has not been explored. Here, we report that mitochondria transfer in the EBI niche occurs in vivo. We observed mitochondria transfer activities from the early stages of erythroblasts to macrophages in the reconstituted in vitro murine EBI via different modes, including tunnelling nanotubes (TNT). Moreover, we demonstrated that Wiskott‐Aldrich syndrome protein (WASp) in macrophages mediates TNT formation and mitochondria transfer via the modulation of F‐actin filamentation, thus promoting mitochondria clearance from erythroid cells, to potentially enhance their differentiation. Taken together, our findings provide novel insight into the mitochondria clearance machineries that mediate erythroid maturation.
The West Against the Rest? Democracy Versus Autocracy Promotion in Venezuela
Authors: Gratius Susanne
Published: May 2021

Venezuela provides a strong test case for the weakening of democracy and the strengthening of autocracy promotion. External actors are a key part of the domestic political game: the European Union and the United States (EUUS) promote ‘democracy by coercion’ and recognised Juan Guaidó as president, whereas China, Cuba and Russia (CCR) bolster the regime of Nicolás Maduro. A comparative foreign policy analysis argues that, firstly, EUUS sanctions have resulted in strengthening CCR's autocratic leverage and linkage; and secondly, the division ‘between the West and the Rest’ has posed an additional obstacle for a transition to democracy and national reconstruction.
Soft tissue integration of different abutment surfaces: An experimental study with histological analysis
Authors: Canullo Luigi , Penarrocha Oltra David , Pesce Paolo , Zarauz Cristina , Lattanzio Rossano , Penarrocha Diago Miguel , Iezzi Giovanna
Published: May 2021

Objective

To evaluate whether abutment surface and surface bio‐activation have an effect on soft tissue morphogenesis.

Materials and Methods

36 patients (36 implants) were included. Abutments were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 9): Smooth Surface—MAChined (MAC), Ultrathin Threaded Microsurface (UTM), MAC Plasma of Argon activated (Plasma‐MAC), and UTM Plasma of Argon activated (Plasma‐UTM). After 2 months of healing, soft tissue samples were collected and prepared for histological analysis. The margin of the peri‐implant mucosa (PM), the apical extension of the barrier epithelium (aJE), and the apical location of the abutment (AM) were identified. Significances of differences among groups were tested by means of the Kruskal–Wallis test and between pairs of results by means of the Mann–Whitney test.

Results

The mean (SD) vertical dimension of the mucosa was 2.5mm (1.0), including a connective tissue portion (CTP) of 0.8mm (0.8) in the MAC group; 3.6mm (0.2) with a CTP of 1.6mm (0.4) in the Plasma‐MAC group; 3.2mm (1.0), with a CPT of 0.5mm (0.6) in the UTM; and 3.3mm (0.8), with a CPT of 0.9mm (0.7) in the Plasma‐UTM group. Statistically significant differences were observed in the aJE‐AM height and PM‐aJE profile among the four experimental groups (p = .042 and p = .039, respectively). The Mann–Whitney test indicated differences between the Plasma‐abutments and the untreated abutments both for PM‐AM (p = .025) and AjE‐AM (p = .021). The differences appeared more evident when the preoperative soft tissue thickness was ≤2mm.

Conclusions

Within its limits, the study demonstrated a favorable effect of the plasma treatment on the connective tissue portion tissues. Plasma‐MAC group highlighted the best performance. This behavior appeared strictly correlated with the soft tissue thickness.
Using temporal occupancy to predict avian species distributions
Authors: Snell Taylor Sara , Di Cecco Grace , Hurlbert Allen H.
Published: May 2021

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) are ubiquitous in ecology to predict species occurrence throughout their range. Typically, SDMs are created using presence‐only or presence–absence data. We hypothesize that the continuous metric of temporal occupancy, the proportion of time a species is observed at a given site, provides more detail about species occurrence than binary presence‐based SDMs.

Location

North America.

Methods

We compared SDMs for 189 focal species using four modelling methods to determine whether North American avian species distributions are better predicted using temporal occupancy over presence–absence. We used the North American Breeding Bird Survey and built SDMs based on all sites sampled consecutively between 2001 and 2015, as well as on a subset of only five time points within the 15‐year sampling window. Each model used the same environmental inputs to predict species range. Each SDM was cross‐validated temporally and spatially.

Results

Species distributions were generally better predicted using temporal occupancy rather than presence–absence when using either a five‐year or fifteen‐year sampling window. Species that occurred in a smaller proportion of their predicted range were particularly better predicted with SDMs using temporal occupancy. Temporal occupancy SDMs had lower false discovery and false‐positive rates but higher false‐negative rates than presence–absence models.

Main conclusions

Temporal occupancy is a valuable metric that can improve predictions of species occurrence for birds and may improve conservation planning and design efforts.
Organisational accreditation, workforce training and perceptions of performance
Authors: Haile Getinet Astatike
Published: May 2021

The paper examines if the ‘Investors in People’ (IiP) organisational accreditation scheme promoted worker training and organisational performance in Britain using a panel of organisations. DID matching estimators relating to both employee‐ and employer‐assessed training outcomes revealed that IiP status promoted workforce training, but only for private sector organisations. Conversely, losing the status was not found to have a significant training link. On organisational performance, the estimates revealed that gaining (losing) the status had a significant positive (negative) link with managers' perceptions of organisational performance in both sectors. Public sector organisations are reported to have a relative strength in workforce training, which appears to explain the lack of significant training link. The sector may thus require a different scheme to promote workforce training further.
Single‐cell transcriptome analysis of human oocyte ageing
Authors: Yuan Lihua , Yin Ping , Yan Hua , Zhong Xiufang , Ren Chunxia , Li Kai , Chin Heng Boon , Zhang Wuwen , Tong Guoqing
Published: May 2021

Oocyte ageing is a key bottleneck and intractable challenge for in vitro fertilization treatment of aged female patients. The underlying molecular mechanisms of human oocyte ageing remain to be elucidated. Hence, this study aims to investigate the key genes and relevant biological signalling pathways involved in human oocyte ageing. We isolated mRNA for single‐cell RNA sequencing from MII human oocytes donated by patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Nine RNA‐seq datasets were analyzed, which included 6 older patients(average 42.67±2.25 years) and 3 younger patients (average 25.67±2.08 years). 481 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 322 upregulated genes enriched in transcription, ubiquitination, epigenetic regulation, and cellular processes, and 159 downregulated genes enriched in ubiquitination, cell cycle, signalling pathway, and DNA repair. The STRING database was used to analyse protein‐protein interactions, and the Cytoscape software was used to identify hub genes. From these DEGs, 17 hub genes were identified including 12 upregulated genes (UBE2C, UBC, CDC34, UBR1, KIF11, ASF1B, PRC1, ESPL1, GTSE1, EXO1, UBA1, KIF4A) and 5 downregulated genes (UBA52, UBE2V2, SKP1, CCNB1, MAD2L1). The significant key biological processes that are associated with these hub genes include ubiquitin‐mediated proteolysis, ubiquitination‐related pathways, oocyte meiosis, and cell cycle. Among these, UBE2C may play a crucial role in human oocyte ageing.
The application of PAX1 methylation detection and HPV E6/E7 mRNA detection in cervical cancer screening
Authors: Li Bijun , Guo Ruixia , Lai Tianjiao , Qiao Long , Fu Hanlin
Published: May 2021

Aim

We aimed to explore the application of PAX1 methylation and human papillomavirus (HPV) E6/E7 mRNA detection in cervical cancer screening and to compare the efficacy with high‐risk (HR)‐HPV detection.

Patients and methods

The cervical exfoliative cytology samples of 337 patients were collected, including 70 cases of cervical inflammation, 72 cases of low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, 97 cases of high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions, and 98 cases of cervical carcinoma. The PAX1 gene methylation (PAX1) status was detected by multiple quantitative PCR, HPV E6/E7 mRNA (E6/E7) was detected by QuantiVirus detection, and HR‐HPV (HPV) was detected by the Cobas 4800 detection system. The sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies were validated in the testing set.

Results

The sensitivities of the HPV, HPV E6/E7, and PAX1 testing were 89.23%, 84.10%, and 86.67%, respectively, which all maintained a high level. In contrast, the specificities of the HPV, E6/E7, and PAX1 testing were only 19.10%, 37.32%, and 97.18% (in pairwise comparisons, p = 0.000). The AUC of PAX1 (0.919) was significantly larger than that of HPV (0.541) and E6/E7 detection (0.607) (p < 0.0001). In addition, the AUC areas of all combined parallel testing were lower than that of single PAX1 test (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The diagnostic efficacy of E6/E7 detection and PAX1 detection was better than that of HPV detection, especially for PAX1 detection.
Behind the Ballot: Democracy, Chicanery, and Electoral Technique in Modern India
Authors: Collins Michael
Published: May 2021

Political commentaries on elections highlight the act and outcome of suffrage. Votes are tallied and trends analyzed as pundits distill election results, post facto, into predictable storylines said to reveal the so‐called pulse of the nation, littered with clichés about popular mandates and the people's verdict. Such accounts interpret elections as a straightforward index of a “popular will” without attention to their differentiated experience and how historically disenfranchised groups navigate their complex institutional landscape. Elections are not extraordinary events that transcend the inequalities of everyday life but a time when hierarchies are asserted, contested, and fortified. This occurs through the ballot as well as through the architecture of the institution and tactical use of its routine procedures. The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK; Liberation Panthers Party), a prominent Dalit‐led (ex‐untouchable) party in India, is a case in point. Combining ethnography from inside a political campaign and interviews with VCK candidates, party leaders, and grassroots activists, this article employs election symbols as a diagnostic to study the architecture of the electoral institution, exploring how its tools and techniques—which are neither neutral nor freely available to all—consolidate structural advantages that privilege well‐resourced players while hindering those historically excluded from political power. [democracy, elections, inequality, India, caste, Dalits]
Work Is Political: Distributive Injustice as a Mediating Mechanism in the Relationship Between Job Insecurity and Political Cynicism
Authors: Van Hootegem Anahí , Van Hootegem Arno , Selenko Eva , De Witte Hans
Published: May 2021

The past two decades saw an increase in political populism, set against the backdrop of turbulent economic and political developments. This is associated with a rise in workers worrying about job loss as well as an increase in individuals holding politicians and politics in disrepute. This study investigates whether these two processes are linked. Being concerned about maintaining one's job may be related to the experience of distributive injustice, which reflects people's perception that they do not get what they deserve. These injustice perceptions may, consequently, bring about a cynical attitude towards the political system. Using three‐wave longitudinal data in a sample of 857 British employees, we found that job insecurity was indeed indirectly related to feelings of political cynicism via the experience of distributive injustice. This study underscores the relevance of workplace experiences for the development of political (dis)engagement.
Genome editing on finfish: Current status and implications for sustainability
Authors: Blix Torill Bakkelund , Dalmo Roy Ambli , Wargelius Anna , Myhr Anne Ingeborg
Published: May 2021

Novel genome editing techniques allow for efficient and targeted improvement of aquaculture stock and might be a solution to solve challenges related to disease and environmental impacts. This review has retrieved the latest research on genome editing on aquacultured finfish species, exploring the technological progress and the scope. Genome editing has most often been used on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus Linnaeus), followed by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus). More than half of the studies have focused on developing solutions for aquaculture challenges, while the rest can be characterized as basic research on fish genetics/physiology or technology development. Main traits researched are reproduction and development, growth, pigmentation, disease resistance, use of trans‐GFP and study of the omega‐3 metabolism, respectively. There is a certain correlation between the species identified and their commercial relevance, indicating the relevance of most studies for present challenges of aquaculture. Reviewing geographical origin of the research, China has been in the forefront (29 publications), followed by the United States (9) and Norway (7). The research seems not to be dependent on regulative conditions in the respective countries, but merely on the purpose and objectives for the use of genome editing technologies. Some technical barriers identified in the studies are presented together with solutions to overcome these‐off‐target effects, ancestral genome duplication and mosaicism in F0. One of the objectives for use is the contribution to a more sustainable aquaculture, where the most prominent issues are solutions that contribute to minimizing impact on biodiversity.
Affective decision‐making in children prenatally exposed to opioids
Authors: Carolien Konijnenberg , Annika Melinder
Published: May 2021

Although opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) is currently recommended for pregnant opioid‐dependent women, potential effects on children’s long‐term development are still largely unknown. The current study assessed the long‐term cognitive development of children born to women in OMT. Particularly, children’s decision‐making performance was assessed with a child‐friendly version of the Iowa Gambling Task.

Using a prospective longitudinal design, a cohort of children was followed from birth to middle childhood. Data were collected in Norway between 2005 and 2017. Participants included 41 children (aged 9–11 years), 20 of whom had histories of prenatal methadone or buprenorphine exposure. Background data were collected from personal interviews and medical records in 2005–2006. Children’s affective decision‐making was assessed in 2016–2017. Results showed no main effect of group on the net scores in the gambling task, F(1, 39) = 1.44, p = 0.24, η2 = 0.04, demonstrating no group differences in decision‐making performance. A main effect of group was found on sensitivity to punishment, with children in the control group choosing the doors with the infrequent, but high punishment more often compared to children in the OMT group, F(1, 39) = 4.90, p = 0.03, η2 = 0.11. No main effect of group on decision‐making speed was found, although results showed a significant interaction effect between group and gain, F(1, 8,194) = 4.09, p = 0.04, η2 = 0.001. Children prenatally exposed to opioids were found to have normal decision‐making performance on an affective decision‐making task and were able to consider future consequences when making decisions.
Autophagy‐related genes serve as heat shock protein 90 co‐chaperones in disease resistance against cassava bacterial blight
Authors: Wei Yunxie , Zeng Hongqiu , Liu Wen , Cheng Xiao , Zhu Binbin , Guo Jingru , Shi Haitao
Published: May 2021

Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is involved in plant growth and various stress responses via regulating protein homeostasis. Autophagy keeps cellular homeostasis by recycling the components of cellular cytoplasmic constituents. Although they have similar effects on cellular protein homeostasis, the direct association between HSP90 and autophagy signaling remains unclear in plants, especially in tropical crops. In this study, the correlation between HSP90 and autophagy signaling was systematically analyzed by protein–protein interaction in cassava, one of the most important economy fruit in tropic. In addition, their effects on plant disease response and underlying mechanisms in cassava were investigated by functional genomics and genetic phenotype assay. The potential MeHSP90.9‐MeSGT1‐MeRAR1 chaperone complex interacts with MeATGs and subsequently triggers autophagy signaling, conferring improved disease resistance to cassava bacterial blight (CBB). On the contrary, HSP90 inhibitor and autophagy inhibitor decreased disease resistance against CBB in cassava, and autophagy may be involved in the potential MeHSP90.9‐MeSGT1‐MeRAR1 chaperone complex‐mediated multiple immune responses. This study highlights the precise modulation of autophagy signaling by potential MeHSP90.9‐MeSGT1‐MeRAR1 chaperone complex in autophagy‐mediated disease resistance to CBB.
Evidence suggesting that deletion of expression of N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) in the organ‐source pig is associated with increased antibody‐mediated rejection of kidney transplants in baboons
Authors: Iwase Hayato , Jagdale Abhijit , Yamamoto Takayuki , Bikhet Mohamed H. , Nguyen Huy Q. , Ezzelarab Mohamed , Ayares David , Anderson Douglas J. , Eckhoff Devin E. , Foote Jeremy B. , Fatima Huma , Schuurman Hendrik Jan , Hara Hidetaka , Cooper David K. C.
Published: May 2021

Pigs deficient in three glycosyltransferase enzymes (triple‐knockout [TKO] pigs) and expressing “protective” human transgenes are likely sources of organs for transplantation into human recipients. Testing of human sera against red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from TKO pigs has revealed minimal evidence of natural antibody binding. However, unlike humans, baboons exhibit natural antibody binding to TKO pig cells. The xenoantigen specificities of these natural antibodies are postulated to be one or more carbohydrate moieties exposed when N‐glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is deleted. The aim of this study was to compare the survival of renal grafts in baboons from pigs that either expressed Neu5Gc (GTKO pigs;Group1, n = 5) or didnotexpress Neu5Gc (GTKO/CMAHKO [DKO] or TKO pigs;Group2, n = 5). An anti‐CD40mAb‐based immunosuppressive regimen was administered in both groups.Group1kidneys functioned for 90‐260 days (median 237, mean 196 days), with histopathological features of antibody‐mediated rejection in two kidneys.Group2kidneys functioned for 0‐183 days (median 35, mean 57), with all of the grafts exhibiting histologic features of antibody‐mediated rejection. These findings suggest that the absence of expression of Neu5Gc on pig kidneys impacts graft survival in baboon recipients.
Single muscle fibre contractile characteristics with lifelong endurance exercise
Authors: Grosicki Gregory J. , Gries Kevin J. , Minchev Kiril , Raue Ulrika , Chambers Toby L. , Begue Gwénaëlle , Finch Holmes , Graham Bruce , Trappe Todd A. , Trappe Scott
Published: May 2021

Key points

A hallmark trait of ageing skeletal muscle health is a reduction in size and function, which is most pronounced in the fast muscle fibres.

We studied older men (74 ± 4 years) with a history of lifelong (>50 years) endurance exercise to examine potential benefits for slow and fast muscle fibre size and contractile function.

Lifelong endurance exercisers had slow muscle fibres that were larger, stronger, faster and more powerful than young exercisers (25 ± 1 years) and age‐matched non‐exercisers (75 ± 2 years).

Limited benefits with lifelong endurance exercise were noted in the fast muscle fibres.

These findings suggest that additional exercise modalities (e.g. resistance exercise) or other therapeutic interventions are needed to target fast muscle fibres with age.

We investigated single muscle fibre size and contractile function among three groups of men: lifelong exercisers (LLE) (n = 21, 74 ± 4 years), old healthy non‐exercisers (OH) (n = 10, 75 ± 2 years) and young exercisers (YE) (n = 10, 25 ± 1 years). On average, LLE had exercised ∼5 days week–1 for ∼7 h week–1 over the past 53 ± 6 years. LLE were subdivided based on lifelong exercise intensity into performance (LLE‐P) (n = 14) and fitness (LLE‐F) (n = 7). Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were examined for myosin heavy chain (MHC) slow (MHC I) and fast (MHC IIa) fibre size and function (strength, speed, power). LLE MHC I size (7624 ± 2765 μm2) was 25–40% larger (P < 0.001) than YE (6106 ± 1710 μm2) and OH (5476 ± 2467 μm2). LLE MHC I fibres were ∼20% stronger, ∼10% faster and ∼30% more powerful than YE and OH (P < 0.05). By contrast, LLE MHC IIa size (6466 ± 2659 μm2) was similar to OH (6237 ± 2525 μm2; P = 0.854), with both groups ∼20% smaller (P < 0.001) than YE (7860 ± 1930 μm2). MHC IIa contractile function was variable across groups, with a hierarchical pattern (OH > LLE > YE; P < 0.05) in normalized power among OH (16.7 ± 6.4 W L–1), LLE (13.9 ± 4.5 W L–1) and YE (12.4 ± 3.5 W L–1). The LLE‐P and LLE‐F had similar single fibre profiles with MHC I power driven by speed (LLE‐P) or force (LLE‐F), suggesting exercise intensity impacted slow muscle fibre mechanics. These data suggest that lifelong endurance exercise benefited slow muscle fibre size and function. Comparable fast fibre characteristics between LLE and OH, regardless of training intensity, suggest other exercise modes (e.g. resistance training) or myotherapeutics may be necessary to preserve fast muscle fibre size and performance with age.
Semi-Analytical Solution of a Nonlinear Heat Transfer Model for a Tubular Cocurrent Moving-Bed Reactor With a First-Order Chemical Reaction in the Solid Phase
Authors: Medeiros Lucas I. de S. V. , Bertoli Sávio L. , Gonçalves Marcel J. , Hoffmann Tuany G. , Angioletti Betina L. , Meier Henry F.
Published: May 2021

The development of mathematical models plays a fundamental role in the design, optimization, and control of processes. Regarding heat transfer in moving bed reactors, the chemical reaction implies the inclusion of a nonhomogeneous and nonlinear term in model equations, making the analytical integration a very difficult task. Up to date, there is not an analytic and/or a semi-analytic solution to a heat transfer model of a moving bed reactor (MBR) with isothermal walls to the distributed parameters in the solid phase. Therefore, starting from analytical solutions of the associated homogeneous (linear) problems and through the spectral expansion of the nonhomogeneous vector, this work presents strategies for determining semi-analytical solutions of nonhomogeneous and nonlinear problems. An MBR with a first-order chemical reaction in the solid phase—kaolinite dehydroxylation in the kaolinite flash calcination process—is selected as the case study; however, the strategies can easily be applied to other nonlinear models. Results for conversion, and fluid and particle temperatures, are given for different parameter values. The solutions perform stable, fast, and accurate. When compared with a hybrid finite difference and finite analytic (FD&FA) numerical method, the solution showed a very good agreement.
Unexpected Scaling of Peak Acceleration for a Yielding Mass-Spring System Subjected to a Triangular Base Acceleration Pulse
Authors: Guthrie Michael A.
Published: May 2021

The use of bounding scenarios is a common practice that greatly simplifies the design and qualification of structures. However, this approach implicitly assumes that the quantities of interest increase monotonically with the input to the structure, which is not necessarily true for nonlinear structures. This paper surveys the literature for observations of nonmonotonic behavior of nonlinear systems and finds such observations in both the earthquake engineering and applied mechanics literature. Numerical simulations of a single degree-of-freedom mass-spring system with an elastic–plastic spring subjected to a triangular base acceleration pulse are then presented, and it is shown that the relative acceleration of this system scales nonmonotonically with the input magnitude in some cases. The equation of motion for this system is solved symbolically and an approximate expression for the relative acceleration is developed, which qualitatively agrees with the nonmonotonic behavior seen in the numerical results. The nonmonotonicity is investigated and found to be a result of dynamics excited by the discontinuous derivative of the base acceleration pulse, the magnitude of which scales nonmonotonically with the input magnitude due to the fact that the first yield of the spring occurs earlier as the input magnitude is increased. The relevance of this finding within the context of defining bounding scenarios is discussed, and it is recommended that modeling be used to perform a survey of the full range of possible inputs prior to defining bounding scenarios.
Estimating acoustic cue rates in bowhead whales, Balaena mysticetus, during their fall migration through the Alaskan Beaufort Sea
Authors: Blackwell Susanna B. , Thode Aaron M. , Conrad Alexander S. , Ferguson Megan C. , Berchok Catherine L. , Stafford Kathleen M. , Marques Tiago A. , Kim Katherine H.
Published: May 2021

Eight years of passive acoustic data (2007–2014) from the Beaufort Sea were used to estimate the mean cue rate (calling rate) of individual bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) during their fall migration along the North Slope of Alaska. Calls detected on directional acoustic recorders (DASARs) were triangulated to provide estimates of locations at times of call production, which were then translated into call densities (calls/h/km2). Various assumptions were used to convert call density into animal cue rates, including the time for whales to cross the arrays of acoustic recorders, the population size, the fraction of the migration corridor missed by the localizing array system, and the fraction of the seasonal migration missed because recorders were retrieved before the end of the migration. Taking these uncertainties into account in various combinations yielded up to 351 cue rate estimates, which summarize to a median of 1.3 calls/whale/h and an interquartile range of 0.5–5.4 calls/whale/h.
The Association Between Preschooler Physical Activity Duration and Intensity and Social Emotional Development: Findings From the PLAYCE Study
Authors: Christian Hayley E. , Lester Leanne , Al Marzooqi Mohamed K. , Trost Stewart G. , Papageorgiou Alana
Published: May 2021

Background: Social emotional development is imperative to young children’s long-term psychological and physical health. Physical activity (PA) may be important for young children’s social emotional development. The association between preschooler PA duration and intensity and social emotional development was investigated.Methods: Data from six hundred and fifty-one 2- to 4-year-olds in the Play Spaces and Environments for Children’s Physical Activity (PLAYCE) study were analyzed. PA was measured using ActiGraph-GT3X accelerometers worn over 7 days. Social emotional development was measured using the parent-completed Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Multilevel linear regression models examined the association between PA duration and intensity and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire subscales.Results: Preschoolers did 158.2 (SD = 40.2) minutes per day of PA with 27% meeting the Australian Physical Activity Guidelines for the Early Years. There was a 1.74 point decrease in the total Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire score for each additional hour of moderate-intensity PA per day (P < .05). Similar significant associations were found across all domains of social emotional development except hyperactivity, and were consistent across different intensities of light, moderate, and vigorous PA.Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential importance of PA, especially moderate-intensity play-based PA, for different aspects of preschool children’s social emotional development. Longitudinal and intervention research is required to confirm whether promoting PA in the early years provides developmental benefit.
Disruption of paternal circadian rhythm affects metabolic health in male offspring via nongerm cell factors
Authors: Lassi Maximilian , Tomar Archana , Comas-Armangué Gemma , Vogtmann Rebekka , Dijkstra Dorieke J. , Corujo David , Gerlini Raffaele , Darr Jonatan , Scheid Fabienne , Rozman Jan , Aguilar-Pimentel Antonio , Koren Omry , Buschbeck Marcus , Fuchs Helmut , Marschall Susan , Gailus-Durner Valerie , Hrabe de Angelis Martin , Plösch Torsten , Gellhaus Alexandra , Teperino Raffaele
Published: May 2021

Circadian rhythm is heritable, and paternal circadian disruption affects offspring health via stress hormones in the seminal fluid.
Shared transcriptional profiles of atypical B cells suggest common drivers of expansion and function in malaria, HIV, and autoimmunity
Authors: Holla Prasida , Dizon Brian , Ambegaonkar Abhijit A. , Rogel Noga , Goldschmidt Ella , Boddapati Arun K. , Sohn Haewon , Sturdevant Dan , Austin James W. , Kardava Lela , Yuesheng Li , Liu Poching , Moir Susan , Pierce Susan K. , Madi Asaf
Published: May 2021

Atypical B cells represent an IFN-γ–driven B cell lineage that may be similarly expanded in malaria, HIV, and autoimmunity.
Robots have grasped and manipulated the imagination since 1839
Authors: Murphy Robin R.
Published: May 2021

Science fiction was prescient about many aspects of grasping and manipulation, but can it keep up with new advances?
Host Chromatin Regulators Required for Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Cytolethal Distending Toxin Activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Model
Authors: Denmongkholchai Siriyod , Tsuruda Keiko , Sugai Motoyuki , Mongkolsuk Skorn , Matangkasombut Oranart
Published: May 2021

Cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is a bacterial genotoxin that causes host cell cycle arrest and death. We previously employed a
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
model with inducible expression of the CDT catalytic subunit from
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
,
Aa
CdtB, and showed that a wide variety of host factors play a role in facilitating the activity of CdtB.
A Tn-seq Screen of Streptococcus pneumoniae Uncovers DNA Repair as the Major Pathway for Desiccation Tolerance and Transmission
Authors: Matthews Allison J. , Rowe Hannah M. , Rosch Jason W. , Camilli Andrew
Published: May 2021

Streptococcus pneumoniae
is an opportunistic pathogen that is a common cause of serious invasive diseases such as pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and otitis media. Transmission of this bacterium has classically been thought to occur through inhalation of respiratory droplets and direct contact with nasal secretions.
Wall-less microbial isolate from a human renal biopsy
Authors: Fernandes P B , Panos C
Published: May 2021

An orgainsm was isolated from a kidney biopsy of a patient with renal failure. Electron microscopy revealed an ultrastructure very similar to that of a bacterial L-form or mycoplasma. But macroscopically, its colonial morphology was unusual and distinct from that ascribed to these wall-less organisms. This isolate lacked a rigid cell wall and required a hypertonic medium with serum for growth. Also, a long incubation period was essential for its growth, and use of hand lens was necessary for detection on solid medium.
Reduction of variation in results of rheumatoid factor tests by use of a serum reference preparation
Authors: Taylor R N , Fulford K M , Jones W L
Published: May 2021

Standaridizing test results for rheumatoid factor by comparing results obtained for an unknown with results obtained for a serum reference preparation decreased variance between laboratories, as measured in the Center for Disease Control proficiency testing program, by 77%. The amount of improvement was also estimated by the type of test and by the manufacturer's product. Standardization resulted in an increase in the number of reported results that were within a twofold dilution of the median value. The percentage increased from 50.3 to 93.7% for the slide tests and from 78.1 to 91.2% fro the tube tests. Decrease in variance by manufacturer's product ranged from 94 to 27%. The study demonstrated that adopting a reference serum standard could substantially improve the comparability of rheumatoid factor test results and that proficiency testing programs can be used to estimate improvement which could be expected as a result of standardization.
Evaluation of a simple device for bacteriological sampling of respirator-generated aerosols
Authors: Ryan K J , Mihalyi S F
Published: May 2021

The Aerotest sampler (Olympic Medical Corp., Seattle, Wash.) is designed to detect bacterial contamination of respirator-generated aerosols in a simple one-step process. The sampler was evaluated by controlled contamination of Bennett AP-5, PR-2, and MA-1 respirators with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter. Bacteria present as viable 1.4 to 3.5-mum particles in each of 77 aerosols were quantitated by using the Andersen viable-particle sampler, and the results were compared with those of colonies obtained from 10-s or 15-cycle Aerotest samples. All aerosols containing counts greater than expected in hospital air were detected by the Aerotest method. Thirteen of 14 aerosols containing less than 20 bacteria/0.028 m3 showed fewer than 5 colonies, whereas all aerosols containing greater than 1,000 bacteria/0.028 m3 showed at least 40 colonies. Aerosols with intermediate counts fell in between. Under the conditions described here, the Aerotest sampler was able to discriminate between the low levels of bacteria commonly found in hospital air and the bacterial contamination associated with nosocomial pneumonia. The Aerotest sampler provides a practical method for surveillance sampling of respirator nebulizers.
New culture medium for the presumptive identificaion of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Fleming W H , Hopkins J M , Land G A
Published: May 2021

A new medium composed of Tween 80, oxgall, caffeic acid, and Davis agar (TOC) that provides for the rapid presumptive identification of Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans is described herein. C. albicans is differentiated from other yeasts by the sequential production of germ tubes and chlamydospores. In a comparison with cormeal agar control plates, there was an increase of chlamydospore-forming strains of C. albicans (97.1% versus 87.2%) and a decrease in the time required for chlamydospore formation (24 h versus 48 h). C. neoformans produced a brown pigment of TOC, which is specific for its identification, thus differentiating it from the other yeasts. A comparison of 24-h pigment production by C. neoformans on TOC with that of birdseed agar showed a dark, coffee brown color in the former cultures and a light brown color in the latter. The change in pigmentation of C. neoformans, as well as morphological changes in C. albicans, can be induced within 3 to 12 h and in not more than 24 h on the TOC medium.
Tween 80 Medium for Differentiating Nonpigmented
Serratia
from Other
Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Lovell David J. , Bibel D. J.
Published: May 2021

The ability of
Serratia
to hydrolyze Tween 80 can be utilized to distinguish this genus from other
Enterobacteriaceae.
Rapid fluorescent-antibody method with bromelase for identification of group A streptococci
Authors: Waters C A , Makens M A
Published: May 2021

This is a preliminary report on a rapid fluorescent-antibody staining method utilizing the enzyme Bromelase that effectively eliminates nonspecific staining of staphylococci. By this simple method, group A streptococci were accurately identified from 2- to 4-h broth cultures.
Evaluation of tests for rabies antibody and analysis of serum responses after administration of three different types of rabies vaccines
Authors: Grandien M
Published: May 2021

Humoral antibody response to three types of rabies vaccines were assayed by the neutralization (NT), the mixed hemadsorption (MH), and the indirect immunofluorescence (IF) tests. The NT and MH tests were used to detect antibodies combining with antigens at the surface of virions and infected cells, whereas the indirect IF test measured antibodies mainly to the rabies nucleocapsid antigen. After immunization with a human diploid cell vaccine, antibodies were detected by both the NT and the MH test in the 14th- and 30th-day serum samples from each of eight vaccinated persons. There was a good correlation between titers obtained with the two tests in this group of vaccinees. Antibodies elicited by duck embryo and nervous tissue vaccines occurred less frequently and in lower titers. In these groups of vaccinees, 5 of 14 and 5 of 10, respectively, had antibodies detectable by the NT test in the 14th- and 30th-day sera but were negative by the MH test. It is suggested that this was due to the high levels of immunoglobulin M antibodies, which are known to be elicited by daily injections of vaccine. Since antibodies of the immunoglobulin M class are considered to be less important for protection against rabies, the MH test is recommended for immunity determinations. Compared with the NT test, this test also offers the advantage of being technically more convenient because of its capacity for testing numerous sera in a single run. Antibody titers obtained by the indirect IF test in the human diploid cell vaccine group were relatively low. Titers in the duck embryo and nervous tissue vaccine groups were higher but did not correlate with the results of the NT test.
Infectious causes of equine respiratory disease on Ontario standardbred racetracks
Authors: Sherman J , Thorsen J , Barnum D A , Mitchell W R , Ingram D G
Published: May 2021

Upper respiratory disease has been a serious problem in Standardbred horses on racetracks in Ontario, with outbreaks occurring once or twice annually in late winter and early spring seasons. To determine the causes of these epidemics, a 3-year investigation was carried out in which nasal swabs and serum samples were obtained at intervals from apparently healthy horses and from horses suffering from upper respiratory disease. The nasal swabs were used to isolate bacteria and viruses. The serum samples were examined for the presence and level of antibodies to equine influenza viruses and equine herpesvirus 1. None of the bacteria isolated were associated with the outbreaks of disease. Equine herpesvirus 2 was isolated 72 times from both diseased and apparently healthy horses. Equine herpesvirus 1 was isolated 10 times from horses with respiratory disease, both during and between epidemics. Influenza equine/1 virus was isolated seven times and influenza equine/2 was isolated once during severe outbreaks of upper respiratory disease. Serological evidence confirmed that influenza viruses were the causes of the major epidemics, with the equine/1 strain being involved most often.
Epidemiological studies of Streptococcus pneumoniae in infants: methods of isolating pneumococci
Authors: Converse G M , Dillon H C
Published: May 2021

A prospective study of the natural history of pneumococcal infection, which involves serial culture studies in healthy infants from 6 weeks of age onward, is in progress in our laboratory. This report describes results of a comparison of several methods for the isolation and identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae from the nasopharynges and throats of these infants. Sheep blood agar, sheep blood agar with gentamicin sulfate (gentamicin agar), and mouse inoculation with 4-h broth cultures were used. Gentamicin agar proved superior to plain sheep blood agar as a solid culture medium, especially in enhancing the recovery of pneumococci from throat cultures. With gentamicin agar, similar carrier rates were found for both culture sites (nasopharynx and throat). In addition, gentamicin agar proved superior to mouse inoculation for the recovery of carrier strains from 131 nasopharyngeal culture samples processed by both methods. Sixty of 131 samples were positive for pneumococci, 25% of which would have been missed had mouse inoculation alone been used. In only three instances did we recover a strain by mouse inoculation that failed to grow on gentamicin agar; conversely, 15 strains were isolated on gentamicin agar but could not be recovered from mice. The latter observation might be explained by the fact that certain carrier strains may be relatively mouse avirulent. The use of blood agar containing gentamicin appears to offer a simple and inexpensive method for the recovery of S. pneumoniae and, in our opinion, provides an ideal method for the identification of pneumococcal carriers as well as for the recovery of these strains from clinical material such as sputum or ear exudates, where other and less fastidious organisms may also be present.
Comparison of rabies humoral antibody titers in rabbits and humans by indirect radioimmunoassay, rapid-fluorescent-focus-inhibition technique, and indirect fluorescent-antibody assay
Authors: Lee T K , Hutchinson H D , Ziegler D W
Published: May 2021

Rabies humoral antibodies were induced in eight New Zealand rabbits by a single intramuscular injection of inactivated suckling mouse brain rabies vaccine. The primary response to immunization was measured in blood samples taken at selected intervals for 6 months. The anamnestic response was measured in blood samples obtained 2 weeks after the rabbits received a booster immunization. The humoral antibody concentrations were measured by the rapid-fluorescent-focus-inhibition technique (RFFIT), indirect fluorescent-antibody assay (IFA), and indirect radioimmunoassay (RIA). The maximal neutralizing antibody titers as measured by RFFIT were attained by the 4th week and persisted into the 24th week. After booster immunization the antibody response was almost 10-fold higher than the highest level attained in the primary response. The antibody levels as measured by IFA and RIA were similar, but the titers as measured by either procedure were almost 10-fold lower than those determined by RFFIT. After booster immunizations the antibody levels, as measured by IFA and RIA, were three- and sixfold higher, respectively, than the maximal levels attained in the primary response. Twenty-two human serum specimens were tested by the same serological procedures, with disparate results. Both RIA and RFFIT effectively differentiated antirabies-positive sera from antirabies-negative sera.
Clinical laboratory evaluation of a system approach to the recognition of nonfermentative or oxidase-producing gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria
Authors: Isenberg H D , Sampson-Scherer J
Published: May 2021

The Oxi-ferm tube, an eight-compartment system suitable for the recognition of nonfermentative, gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria, was evaluated in conjunction with the oxidase test in a clinical microbiology laboratory setting. A comparison between this system and the 17-test routine examination was performed with 265 cultures representing 21 species. The results obtained with the Roche systems were supplemented with simple additional tests in accordance with Computer Identification Data rovided by the manufacturer. The Oxi/ferm tube approach worked satisfactorily in establishing the identity of the bacteria isolated from clinical specimens augmented with some representatives from culture collections. Reactions within the Oxi/ferm system were reproducible and comparable to laboratory prepared and controlled substrates.
Tellurite reduction test to aid in the recognition of Corynebacterium vaginale
Authors: Smith R F , Voss J L , Bailey R K
Published: May 2021

Corynebacterium vaginale (Haemophilus vaginalis) does not reduce potassium tellurite. When a 1% aqueous solution of tellurite is added to starch agar plates previously inoculated with vaginal discharge material, other starch-fermenting and most non-starch-fermenting bacteria rapidly reduce tellurite to produce black or gray colonies. This test is a useful adjunct to methods for rapid presumptive identification of C. vaginale. C. vaginale is more susceptible to tellurite inhibition than a variety of other gram-positive bacteria.
Clinical evaluation of a simple, rapid procedure for the presumptive identification of anaerobic bacteria
Authors: Holland J W , Gagnet S M , Lewis S A , Stauffer L R
Published: May 2021

A simple, rapid procedure for the presumptive identification of anaerobic bacteria has been evaluated. Two hundred and thirty-five clinical isolates were identified using gas-liquid chromatography and 3-ml volumes of a few selected test media. These test media were stored aerobically and incubated in GasPak anaerobic jars. The average incubation time was 39 h. This procedure, when compared to the results of our standard identification procedure, correctly identified 98% of the isolates to the genus level, 83% to the species level, and 83% of Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides melaninogenicus to the subspecies level. Fifty-three of the isolates were also identified by using 0.5-ml volumes of test media stored, inoculated, and incubated in an anaerobic glove box. The 3-ml-and the 0.5-ml-volume procedures correctly identified comparable percentages of the 53 isolates.