bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Management of psychotropic medications in adults with intellectual disability: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Costello Ashley , Hehir Cian , Sharma Drona , Doody Owen , Kelly Dervla
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Psychotropic medications are commonly prescribed among adults with intellectual disability (ID), often in the absence of a psychiatric diagnosis. As such, there is great disparity between the estimated prevalence of mental illness and the rates of psychotropic medication use amongst people with ID. ‘Off-label’ use of these medications may account for much of this discrepancy, in particular their use in the management of challenging behaviour. This has come under scrutiny due to the myriad of side effects and the deficiency of high-quality data supporting their use for this indication. Understanding the causes and justifications for such disparity is essential in discerning the efficacy of current prescription practice.

Objective: To explore the existing evidence base regarding the prescription and management of psychotropic medications in adults with ID. The aim will be achieved through identifying the psychotropic medications commonly prescribed, the underlying rationale(s) for their prescription and the evidence available that demonstrates their appropriateness and effectiveness. Additionally, the paper will seek to evaluate the availability of any existing guidance that informs the management of these medications, and the evidence and outcomes of psychotropic medication dose reduction and/or cessation interventions.

Inclusion criteria: This review will consider studies that focus on the use of psychotropic medications amongst patients with ID.

Methods: Research studies (qualitative, quantitative and mixed design) and Grey Literature (English) will be included. The search will be conducted without time restrictions. Databases will include: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, JBI Evidence Synthesis, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Databased of Systematic Reviews, PsycINFO and Scopus. A three-step search strategy will be followed, with results screened by two independent reviewers. Data will be extracted independently by two reviewers using a data extraction tool with results mapped and presented using a narrative form supported by tables and diagrams.
Effects of the Menu of Loan Contracts on Borrower Behavior
Authors: Abraham Katharine G. , Filiz-Ozbay Emel , Ozbay Erkut Y. , Turner Lesley J.
Published: March 2021

We study how the menu of contracts presented to a decision maker—including contracts she may be precluded from choosing—affects her choice of remunerative but risky actions relative to lower paying, less risky alternatives. We do this through a series of laboratory experiments modeled after the loan repayment options offered to U.S. student borrowers, analyzing borrowers’ task (career) choices in settings that vary the menu of available and unavailable loan repayment plans and knowledge of unavailable options. In these experiments, we observe behavior that is inconsistent with predictions from standard economic models in which agents can easily make complex decisions and each alternative in a choice set is evaluated independently of other potential options. Instead, we provide evidence that expanding the menu of choices or making an agent aware of choices that she has been denied can affect how a contract is valued. Our empirical findings are most consistent with behavioral models that allow for anticipated regret over a choice that turns out to be suboptimal ex post or preferences for simplicity and gratitude for being unburdened from having to make a choice.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.
Following the Customers: Dynamic Competitive Repositioning
Authors: Ning Z. Eddie , Villas-Boas J. Miguel
Published: March 2021

We consider dynamic repositioning when competing firms try to follow the evolution of consumer preferences while taking into account the competitive interaction, both in terms of static market competition and the dynamic effects of different firm positionings. We fully characterize the dynamic market equilibrium, which includes the timing of the firms’ repositionings depending on consumer preferences. As consumer preferences evolve away from where both firms are located, one firm first moves to follow consumer preferences, with the second firm only moving if the consumer preferences continue evolving away from that firm. The model predicts rich market dynamics, where firms stay for some period in different positionings if consumer preferences are in a relatively middle ground or where a firm repositions to follow consumer preferences but then repositions back to the original position if consumer preferences return. We find that, when the variability of the consumer preferences or the discount rate is greater or when the importance of the repositioning attribute is smaller, firms are less likely to follow consumer preferences. Firms are more heterogeneous in their responses, which leads to longer periods of differentiation when the variability of the consumer preferences, the discount rate, or the importance of the repositioning attribute increases. We also find that competing firms reposition less frequently than what is socially optimal and what collusion would imply, and we find more differentiation under collusion than under competition.

This paper was accepted by Matthew Shum, marketing.
Competitive Investment with Bayesian Learning: Choice of Business Size and Timing
Authors: Sunar Nur , Yu Siyun , Kulkarni Vidyadhar G.
Published: March 2021

Curse of a Favorable Opportunity: Strategic Choice of Investment Size and Timing with Bayesian Learning
Study the Effect of Air Pulsation on the Flame Characteristics
Authors: Magdy Mahmoud , Kamal M. M. , Hamed Ashraf M. , Hussin Ahmed Eldein , Torky Walid Aboelsoud
Published: March 2021

Pulsating combustion is used in a lot of industrial applications like conveyer drying, spray, boilers of commercial scale because its great role in increasing combustion efficiency and producing environmentally friendly combustion products. This paper evaluates how different frequencies (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500) rad/s applied to air velocity view a lot of improvements in the combustion and flow variables (v, T, NO and turbulent kinetic energy) and the effect of adding cross excess air to air pulsation with 500 rad/s frequency on the same flow variables. The performance of pulsating flames was numerically modulated by using Ansys Fluent 16 commercial package by building a 2D combustion chamber of Harwell standard furnace boundary condition on Ansys geometry and divided it into 61000 elements in Ansys meshing 16. Eddy Dissipation Model (EDM) is used to solve transient numerical combustion equations and Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) as viscous model. Converged numerical results have shown that increasing frequency from 100 to 500 rad/s increase average velocities of combustion products and turbulent kinetic energy by 22% and 80 respectively. The pollutant NO decrease by 60% and the time average temperature decrease from 1900 k to 1000 k.
Gender and domestic abuse victimisation among churchgoers in north west England: breaking the church’s gendered silence
Authors: Barnes Rebecca , Aune Kristin
Published: March 2021

Domestic abuse is often hidden in church contexts. Despite a body of North American research, it has rarely been researched in the UK. This article offers new empirical findings on the nature and extent of, and attitudes to, domestic abuse among churchgoers. The data are drawn from a cross-denominational survey of 438 churchgoers in rural north-west England. The majority of the survey respondents were female and aged over 60, providing important evidence of domestic abuse victimisation among this seldom-heard group. Using a broad measure of domestic abuse encompassing physical, emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual dimensions, the results revealed that one in four had experienced at least one abusive behaviour in their current intimate relationship. While headline figures for prevalence are similar for women and men, analysis revealed gender differences in four areas: number of abusive behaviours experienced, types of abuse, frequency of victimisation and impacts of abuse, with women experiencing the most frequent and high-impact abuse. Churchgoers’ comments on the church’s response to abuse reveals silence as a key theme, and the article attributes the church’s silence to gendered power relations in the wider church.
Bandwidth-tunable THz absorber based on diagonally distributed double-sized VO2 disks
Authors: Liang Jiran , Zhang Ke , Lei Dangyuan , Yu Lize , Wang Shuangli
Published: March 2021

Terahertz absorbers combined with phase-changing

V
O

2

are a class of stealth materials with adjustable absorptance. However, such absorbers still suffer from insufficient absorption bandwidth. We propose a three-layer terahertz (THz) absorber, consisting of an array of diagonally distributed double-sized

V
O

2

disks on a silica-coated gold film. We find this structure can generate the superposition of three resonant absorption peaks to broaden the absorption band. The finite element simulation (FES) results show that the absorption bandwidth can be adjusted from 2.63 to 5.04 THz by simply changing the sizes of the

V
O

2

disks. In addition, the peak absorptance can be continuously regulated from 9.8% to 96% by varying the conductivity of

V
O

2

. Finally, the absorber is polarization-insensitive and has wide-angle absorption. The wide absorption band and adjustable bandwidth of the absorbers have important applications potentially for intelligent stealth materials.
Analysis of radiation force on a uniaxial anisotropic sphere by dual counter-propagating Gaussian beams
Authors: Li Zheng Jun , Li Shun , Li Hai Ying , Qu Tan , Shang Qing Chao
Published: March 2021

Based on Maxwell’s stress tensor and the generalized Lorenz–Mie theory, a theoretical approach is introduced to study the radiation force exerted on a uniaxial anisotropic sphere illuminated by dual counter-propagating (CP) Gaussian beams. The beams propagate with arbitrary direction and are expanded in terms of the spherical vector wave functions (SVWFs) in a particle coordinate system using the coordinate rotation theorem of the SVWFs. The total expansion coefficients of the incident fields are derived by superposition of the vector fields. Using Maxwell stress tensor analysis, the analytical expressions of the radiation force on a homogeneous absorbing uniaxial anisotropic sphere are obtained. The accuracy of the theory is verified by comparing the radiation forces of the anisotropic sphere reduced to the special cases of an isotropic sphere. In order to study the equilibrium state, the effects of beam parameters, particle size parameters, and anisotropy parameters on the radiation force are discussed in detail. Compared with the isotropic particle, the equilibrium status is sensitive to the anisotropic parameters. Moreover, the properties of optical force on a uniaxial anisotropic sphere in a single Gaussian beam trap and Gaussian standing wave trap are compared. It indicates that the CP Gaussian beam trap may more easily capture or confine the anisotropic particle. However, the radiation force exerted on an anisotropic sphere exhibits very different properties when the beams do not propagate along the primary optical axis. The influence of the anisotropic parameter on the radiation force by CP Gaussian beams is different from that of a single Gaussian beam. In summary, even for anisotropic particles, the Gaussian standing wave trap also exhibits significant advantages when compared with the single Gaussian beam trap. The theoretical predictions of radiation forces exerted on a uniaxial anisotropic sphere by dual Gaussian beams provide effective ways to achieve the improvement of optical tweezers as well as the capture, suspension, and high-precision delivery of anisotropic particles.
Distinction of electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler-Towners splitting in a Rydberg-involved ladder-type cold atom system
Authors: Ji Zhonghua , Jiao Yuechun , Xue Yongmei , Hao Liping , Zhao Jianming , Jia Suotang
Published: March 2021

Electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and Autler-Townes splitting (ATS) are two similar quantum coherent phenomena but have different mechanisms and applications. Akaike information criteria (AIC), an objective method to discriminate EIT and ATS from an experimental viewpoint, has been employed in a variety of systems. Here we use AIC method to quantitively discriminate a series of spectra of cold atoms in a Rydberg-involved upper-driving ladder-type. The derived weights of EIT and ATS reflect that our spectra change from EIT-ATS intermediate region to ATS-dominated region along Rabi frequency of coupling field increases. We find that there are two factors affecting EIT-ATS weights in a Rydberg-involved three-level system: dephasing rate, induced by the interactions among Rydberg atoms, makes the EIT-ATS crossover move to the direction of low Rabi frequency of coupling field and the experimental noise makes the difference between EIT and ATS weights reduce at elsewhere. Our investigation could provide a meaningful reference for the observations and applications of Rydberg-involved quantum coherent spectroscopy.
Low-coherence dye laser with an intracavity radiation diffuser
Authors: Burdukova O. A. , Konyshkin V. A. , Petukhov V. A. , Semenov M. A. , Senatsky Yu. V.
Published: March 2021

Study of a low-coherence dye laser is reported. A cuvette with a 2 mm gap containing a dense mixture (slurry) of LiF crystal granules (70–140 μm) and an immersion liquid with a dye dissolved in it was installed in a double flat mirror cavity as an active element and simultaneously as a diffuser of radiation. The parallel light beam experiences losses in such a cuvette due to refraction at a set of interfaces between solid particles and a liquid in which different parts of the beam are randomly deflected at small angles. Measurements of the loss coefficients, angles of rays’ deflection in the cuvette–diffuser were carried out. When this cuvette was pumped by 25 ns pulses of the 2nd harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser, 20 ns pulses of radiation in the region of 550–650 nm with energy ≈1 mJ at a beam divergence 5–80 mrad, and a degree of spatial coherence γ ≲ 0.1 were obtained in slurry with PM567, Rh101 or DCM dyes. The features of spectra and spatial-angular characteristics of these slurry lasers are discussed, tuning of the spatial coherence of radiation is demonstrated. Possible applications of a dye laser with an intracavity diffuser as a source of low-coherence radiation are considered.
Freeform surface generation by atmospheric pressure plasma processing using a time-variant influence function
Authors: Su Xing , Ji Peng , Jin Yuan , Li Duo , Qiao Zheng , Ding Fei , Yue Xiaobin , Wang Bo
Published: March 2021

Based on a controllable chemical reaction, atmospheric pressure plasma processing (APPP) can achieve efficient material removal even when the tool influence function (TIF) size is reduced to several millimeters, resulting in its great application potential for generating freeform surfaces. However, the TIF changes with the local dwell time, introducing nonlinearity into processing, because of the influence of the plasma thermal effect on chemical reactions. In this paper, a freeform generation method using a time-variant TIF is presented and validated. First, the time-variant removal characteristics of APPP and its nonlinear influence on freeform surface generation are analyzed. Then, the freeform surface generation concept is proposed based on controlling the local volumetric removal. Consequently, the dwell time calculation method is developed to suppress the nonlinearity induced by the time-variant TIF. Finally, the developed method is evaluated by the simulation and experimental analysis of the complex structure generation process. Results show that the proposed method can reduce the nonlinear influence of the time-variant TIF by reasonably calculating dwell time, promoting the application of APPP in freeform surface generation.
Radiocarbon dioxide detection using cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy
Authors: Fatima Mehr , Hausmaninger Thomas , Tomberg Teemu , Karhu Juho , Vainio Markku , Hieta Tuomas , Genoud Guillaume
Published: March 2021

In this Letter, we report on the sub-parts-per-billion-level radiocarbon dioxide detection using cantilever-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy. The

14

C

/

C

ratio of samples is measured by targeting a

14

C
O

2

absorption line with minimal interference from other

C
O

2

isotopes. Using a quantum cascade laser as a light source allows for a compact experimental setup. In addition, measurements of sample gases with

14

C
O

2

concentrations as low as 100 parts-per-trillion (ppt) are presented. The Allan deviation demonstrates a noise equivalent concentration of 30 ppt at an averaging time of 9 min. The achieved sensitivity validates this method as a suitable alternative to more complex optical detection methods for radiocarbon dioxide detection used so far, and it can be envisioned for future in situ radiocarbon detection.
Wavelength-scanning lensfree on-chip microscopy for wide-field pixel-super-resolved quantitative phase imaging
Authors: Wu Xuejuan , Sun Jiasong , Zhang Jialin , Lu Linpeng , Chen Rong , Chen Qian , Zuo Chao
Published: March 2021

We propose a lensfree on-chip microscopy approach for wide-field quantitative phase imaging (QPI) based on wavelength scanning. Unlike previous methods, we found that a relatively large-range wavelength diversity not only provides information to overcome spatial aliasing of the image sensor but also creates sufficient diffraction variations that can be used to achieve motion-free, pixel-super-resolved phase recovery. Based on an iterative phase retrieval and pixel-super-resolution technique, the proposed wavelength-scanning approach uses only eight undersampled holograms to achieve a half-pitch lateral resolution of 691 nm across a large field-of-view of

29.85

m
m

2

, surpassing 2.41 times the theoretical Nyquist–Shannon sampling resolution limit imposed by the pixel size of the sensor (1.67 µm). We confirmed the effectiveness of this technique in QPI and resolution enhancement by measuring the benchmark quantitative phase microscopy target. We also showed that this method can track HeLa cell growth within an incubator, revealing cellular morphologies and subcellular dynamics of a large cell population over an extended period of time.
Electro-optic active Q-switched Tm:YLF laser based on polarization modulation
Authors: Noach Salman , Nahear Rotem , Vidal Yehuda , Garcia Yehudit , Agranat Aharon J.
Published: March 2021

An electro-optic active

Q

-switched Tm:YLF laser (1880 nm) employing a novel, to the best of our knowledge, switching scheme is presented. The switching is done by a potassium lithium tantalate niobate (KLTN) crystal operated slightly above the ferroelectric phase transition, cut in a trapezoidal shape for reducing acousto-optic oscillations. The novel switching scheme exploits the emission cross section difference between the

π

and

σ

polarizations in the Tm:YLF and overcomes the residual oscillation effects even at high repetition rates. The laser exhibited stable operation yielding pulses of 0.81 mJ and pulse duration of 30 ns at 5 kHz, and pulses of 1.25 mJ and pulse duration of 19 ns at 500 Hz.
Panda-type few-mode fiber-enabled microwave photonic filter with a reconfigurable finite impulse response
Authors: Zhang Yao , Gao Jitao , Zhu Lei , Fu Songnian , Wang Yuncai , Qin Yuwen
Published: March 2021

Leveraging various physical dimensions of optical signals allows significant scaling of the transmission capacity for optical communications. Here we experimentally demonstrate a reconfigurable microwave photonic filter (MPF) enabled by both mode and polarization division multiplexing arising in a Panda-type few-mode fiber. The

L
P

01
x

,

L
P

01
y

,

L
P

11
x

, and

L
P

11
y

modes are used to realize optical true-time delay lines of the MPF, thus achieving a four-tap finite impulse response (FIR) with a free spectral range of around 2.22 GHz. Due to the employed delay between two orthogonal polarizations, the number of taps arising in its FIR can be doubled. Moreover, the reconfigurable FIR of the MPF can be achieved by loading the corresponding phase pattern onto a spatial light modulator. Finally, the low-pass FIR can be switched to the bandpass FIR due to the introduction of polarization modulation, indicating the flexible manipulation of the FIR for the multi-dimensional division multiplexing enabled MPF.
Resonance-affected high-order harmonic emission from atomic and molecular chromium laser-induced plasmas
Authors: Ganeev Rashid A. , Kuroda Hiroto
Published: March 2021

The resonance enhancement of single-harmonic emission during the propagation of ultrafast pulses through chromium-contained plasmas is reexamined. We compare atomic (Cr) and molecular (Cr2O3, Cr3C2) plasmas to demonstrate a distinction in the enhancement factor of the single harmonic. We show how, in the case of 806 nm pump, the enhancement of the 29th harmonic (λ=27.8 nm) in Cr-contained plasma depends on the constituency of the plasma components at different conditions of target ablation. The application of tunable (1280–1440 nm) radiation allows the demonstration of notable variations of single harmonic (46 to 49 orders) enhancement using a two-color pump of Cr-contained plasma.
Large- and Medium-sized Arteries Remaining in Transmural Scar Distal to Permanent Coronary Ligation Undergo Neointimal Hyperplasia and Inward Remodeling
Authors: Dedkov Eduard I.
Published: March 2021

This study aimed to investigate the structural integrity and dynamic changes in chronically occluded residual arteries found in post–myocardial infarction (MI) scar. A transmural MI was induced in middle-aged, male Sprague-Dawley rats by left coronary artery ligation. The rats were euthanized 3 days and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after MI, and their hearts were processed into paraffin for histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative morphometry. It has been found that large- and medium-sized arteries were able to survive inside the transmural scars for 12 post-MI weeks. Furthermore, most residual arteries preserved their structural integrity for up to 2 weeks post-MI, but gradually all disused vessels had undergone neointimal hyperplasia and inward remodeling at later time periods. In addition, the replacement of vascular smooth muscle cells in the wall of residual arteries by extracellular matrix components led to a disruption of the vessel integrity and progressive obliteration of their lumen between 4 and 12 post-MI weeks. Taken together, this study demonstrate that residual arteries in post-infarcted region were capable of maintaining their structural integrity, including the patent lumen, during two post-MI weeks, suggesting that during this period they can be used as potential conduits for conceivable reflow of arterial blood within the scarred region of the heart
Mitotic gene conversion can be as important as meiotic conversion in driving genetic variability in plants and other species without early germline segregation
Authors: Jia Xianqing , Zhang Qijun , Jiang Mengmeng , Huang Ju , Yu Luyao , Traw Milton Brian , Tian Dacheng , Hurst Laurence D. , Yang Sihai
Published: March 2021

In contrast to common meiotic gene conversion, mitotic gene conversion, because it is so rare, is often ignored as a process influencing allelic diversity. We show that if there is a large enough number of premeiotic cell divisions, as seen in many organisms without early germline sequestration, such as plants, this is an unsafe position. From examination of 1.1 million rice plants, we determined that the rate of mitotic gene conversion events, per mitosis, is 2 orders of magnitude lower than the meiotic rate. However, owing to the large number of mitoses between zygote and gamete and because of long mitotic tract lengths, meiotic and mitotic gene conversion can be of approximately equivalent importance in terms of numbers of markers converted from zygote to gamete. This holds even if we assume a low number of premeiotic cell divisions (approximately 40) as witnessed inArabidopsis. A low mitotic rate associated with long tracts is also seen in yeast, suggesting generality of results. For species with many mitoses between each meiotic event, mitotic gene conversion should not be overlooked.
Critical role of the BAF chromatin remodeling complex during murine neural crest development
Authors: Bi-Lin Kathleen Wung , Seshachalam Pratap Veerabrahma , Tuoc Tran , Stoykova Anastassia , Ghosh Sujoy , Singh Manvendra K.
Published: March 2021

The BAF complex plays an important role in the development of a wide range of tissues by modulating gene expression programs at the chromatin level. However, its role in neural crest development has remained unclear. To determine the role of the BAF complex, we deleted BAF155/BAF170, the core subunits required for the assembly, stability, and functions of the BAF complex in neural crest cells (NCCs). Neural crest-specific deletion ofBAF155/BAF170leads to embryonic lethality due to a wide range of developmental defects including craniofacial, pharyngeal arch artery, and OFT defects. RNAseq and transcription factor enrichment analysis revealed that the BAF complex modulates the expression of multiple signaling pathway genes including Hippo and Notch, essential for the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of the NCCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the BAF complex is essential for the Brg1-Yap-Tead-dependent transcription of target genes in NCCs. Together, our results demonstrate an important role of the BAF complex in modulating the gene regulatory network essential for neural crest development.
Recent loss of the Dim2 DNA methyltransferase decreases mutation rate in repeats and changes evolutionary trajectory in a fungal pathogen
Authors: Möller Mareike , Habig Michael , Lorrain Cécile , Feurtey Alice , Haueisen Janine , Fagundes Wagner C. , Alizadeh Alireza , Freitag Michael , Stukenbrock Eva H.
Published: March 2021

DNA methylation is found throughout all domains of life, yet the extent and function of DNA methylation differ among eukaryotes. Strains of the plant pathogenic fungusZymoseptoria triticiappeared to lack cytosine DNA methylation (5mC) because gene amplification followed by Repeat-Induced Point mutation (RIP) resulted in the inactivation of thedim2DNA methyltransferase gene. 5mC is, however, present in closely related sister species. We demonstrate that inactivation ofdim2occurred recently as someZ.triticiisolates carry a functionaldim2gene. Moreover, we show thatdim2inactivation occurred by a different path than previously hypothesized. We mapped the genome-wide distribution of 5mC in strains with or without functionaldim2alleles. Presence of functionaldim2correlates with high levels of 5mC in transposable elements (TEs), suggesting a role in genome defense. We identified low levels of 5mC in strains carrying non-functionaldim2alleles, suggesting that 5mC is maintained over time, presumably by an active Dnmt5 DNA methyltransferase. Integration of a functionaldim2allele in strains with mutateddim2restored normal 5mC levels, demonstratingde novocytosine methylation activity of Dim2. To assess the importance of 5mC for genome evolution, we performed an evolution experiment, comparing genomes of strains with high levels of 5mC to genomes of strains lacking functionaldim2. We found that presence of a functionaldim2allele alters nucleotide composition by promoting C to T transitions (C→T) specifically at CpA (CA) sites during mitosis, likely contributing to TE inactivation. Our results show that 5mC density at TEs is a polymorphic trait inZ.triticipopulations that can impact genome evolution.
Expression profiling of Echinococcus multilocularis miRNAs throughout metacestode development in vitro
Authors: Macchiaroli Natalia , Preza Matías , Pérez Matías Gastón , Kamenetzky Laura , Cucher Marcela , Koziol Uriel , Castillo Estela , Berriman Matthew , Brehm Klaus , Rosenzvit Mara Cecilia
Published: March 2021

The neglected zoonotic disease alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is caused by the metacestode stage of the tapeworm parasite Echinococcus multilocularis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with a major role in regulating gene expression in key biological processes. We analyzed the expression profile of E. multilocularis miRNAs throughout metacestode development in vitro, determined the spatial expression of miR-71 in metacestodes cultured in vitro and predicted miRNA targets. Small cDNA libraries from different samples of E. multilocularis were sequenced. We confirmed the expression of 37 miRNAs in E. multilocularis being some of them absent in the host, such as miR-71. We found a few miRNAs highly expressed in all life cycle stages and conditions analyzed, whereas most miRNAs showed very low expression. The most expressed miRNAs were miR-71, miR-9, let-7, miR-10, miR-4989 and miR-1. The high expression of these miRNAs was conserved in other tapeworms, suggesting essential roles in development, survival, or host-parasite interaction. We found highly regulated miRNAs during the different transitions or cultured conditions analyzed, which might suggest a role in the regulation of developmental timing, host-parasite interaction, and/or in maintaining the unique developmental features of each developmental stage or condition. We determined that miR-71 is expressed in germinative cells and in other cell types of the germinal layer in E. multilocularis metacestodes cultured in vitro. MiRNA target prediction of the most highly expressed miRNAs and in silico functional analysis suggested conserved and essential roles for these miRNAs in parasite biology. We found relevant targets potentially involved in development, cell growth and death, lifespan regulation, transcription, signal transduction and cell motility. The evolutionary conservation and expression analyses of E. multilocularis miRNAs throughout metacestode development along with the in silico functional analyses of their predicted targets might help to identify selective therapeutic targets for treatment and control of AE.
Identification and culture of proliferative cells in abnormal Taenia solium larvae: Role in the development of racemose neurocysticercosis
Authors: Orrego Miguel A. , Verastegui Manuela R. , Vasquez Carlos M. , Koziol Uriel , Laclette Juan P. , Garcia Hector H. , Nash Theodore E. ,   for the Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru
Published: March 2021

Racemose neurocysticercosis is an aggressive disease caused by the aberrant expansion of the cyst form of Taenia solium within the subarachnoid spaces of the human brain and spinal cord resulting in a mass effect and chronic inflammation. Although expansion is likely caused by the proliferation and growth of the parasite bladder wall, there is little direct evidence of the mechanisms that underlie these processes. Since the development and growth of cysts in related cestodes involves totipotential germinative cells, we hypothesized that the expansive growth of the racemose larvae is organized and maintained by germinative cells. Here, we identified proliferative cells expressing the serine/threonine-protein kinase plk1 by in situ hybridization. Proliferative cells were present within the bladder wall of racemose form and absent from the homologous tissue surrounding the vesicular form. Cyst proliferation in the related model species Taenia crassiceps (ORF strain) occurs normally by budding from the cyst bladder wall and proliferative cells were concentrated within the growth buds. Cells isolated from bladder wall of racemose larvae were established in primary cell culture and insulin stimulated their proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. These findings indicate that the growth of racemose larvae is likely due to abnormal cell proliferation. The different distribution of proliferative cells in the racemose larvae and their sensitivity to insulin may reflect significant changes at the cellular and molecular levels involved in their tumor-like growth. Parasite cell cultures offer a powerful tool to characterize the nature and formation of the racemose form, understand the developmental biology of T. solium, and to identify new effective drugs for treatment.
Development of human hepatocellular carcinoma in X-linked severe combined immunodeficient pigs: An orthotopic xenograft model
Authors: Mishima Kohei , Itano Osamu , Matsuda Sachiko , Suzuki Shunichi , Onishi Akira , Tamura Masashi , Inoue Masanori , Abe Yuta , Yagi Hiroshi , Hibi Taizo , Kitago Minoru , Shinoda Masahiro , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: March 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common primary tumor and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Rodent models of HCC have contributed to the advancement of studies investigating liver carcinogenesis, tumor-host interactions, and drug screening. However, their small size renders them unsuitable for surgical or clinical imaging studies, necessitating the development of larger-size HCC models. Here, we developed a xenograft model of human HCC in X-linked interleukin-2 receptor gamma chain gene (Il2rg)-targeted severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) pigs. HepG2 cell suspension in serum-free medium containing 50% membrane matrix was directly injected into the liver parenchyma of eight X-linked Il2rg-targeted SCID pigs (6.6–15.6 kg) via ultrasonography-guided percutaneous puncture. Tumor engraftment was evaluated weekly using ultrasonography, and cone-beam computed tomography was performed during arterial portography (CTAP) and hepatic arteriography (CTHA) to evaluate the hemodynamics of engrafted tumors. The engrafted tumors were histologically analyzed following necropsy and assessed for pathological similarities to human HCCs. Macroscopic tumor formation was observed in seven of the eight pigs (simple nodular tumors in three and multinodular tumors in four). Engrafted tumors were identified as low-echoic upon ultrasonography and as perfusion-defect nodules on the CTAP images. Meanwhile, CTHA showed that the tumors were hyperattenuating. Further, histopathological findings of the engrafted tumors were consistent with those of human HCC. In conclusion, the porcine model of human HCC, successfully generated herein, might help develop more effective therapeutic strategies for HCC.
Adiponectin DNA methylation in South African women with gestational diabetes mellitus: Effects of HIV infection
Authors: Dias Stephanie , Adam Sumaiya , Abrahams Yoonus , Rheeder Paul , Pheiffer Carmen
Published: March 2021

DNA methylation is increasingly recognized as a potential biomarker of metabolic disease. However, there is limited information on the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on the candidacy of DNA methylation to serve as molecular biomarkers. This study investigated the effect of HIV infection on DNA methylation patterns in the peripheral blood of South African women with (n = 95) or without (n = 191) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DNA methylation levels at eight CpG sites in the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) promoter were measured using bisulfite conversion and pyrosequencing. Differences between HIV negative (-) and positive (+) women were observed. In HIV- women, methylation at CpG -3400 was lower in GDM+ women compared to those with normoglycemia (8.5-fold; p = 0.004), and was associated with higher fasting glucose (β-co-efficient = 0.973; p = 0.006) and lower adiponectin (β-co-efficient = -0.057; p = 0.014) concentrations. These associations were not observed in HIV+ women. In silico analysis showed that Transcription Factor AP2-alpha is able to bind to the altered CpG site, suggesting that CpG -3400 may play a functional role in the regulation of ADIPOQ expression. Our findings show that DNA methylation differs by HIV status, suggesting that HIV infection needs to be taken into consideration in studies exploring DNA methylation as a biomarker of GDM in high HIV prevalence settings.
Teaching critical thinking about health using digital technology in lower secondary schools in Rwanda: A qualitative context analysis
Authors: Mugisha Michael , Uwitonze Anne Marie , Chesire Faith , Senyonga Ronald , Oxman Matt , Nsangi Allen , Semakula Daniel , Kaseje Margaret , Lewin Simon , Sewankambo Nelson , Nyirazinyoye Laetitia , Oxman Andrew D. , Rosenbaum Sarah
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Adolescents encounter misleading claims about health interventions that can affect their health. Young people need to develop critical thinking skills to enable them to verify health claims and make informed choices. Schools could teach these important life skills, but educators need access to suitable learning resources that are aligned with their curriculum. The overall objective of this context analysis was to explore conditions for teaching critical thinking about health interventions using digital technology to lower secondary school students in Rwanda.

Methods

We undertook a qualitative descriptive study using four methods: document review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. We reviewed 29 documents related to the national curriculum and ICT conditions in secondary schools. We conducted 8 interviews and 5 focus group discussions with students, teachers, and policy makers. We observed ICT conditions and use in five schools. We analysed the data using a framework analysis approach.

Results

Two major themes found. The first was demand for teaching critical thinking about health. The current curriculum explicitly aims to develop critical thinking competences in students. Critical thinking and health topics are taught across subjects. But understanding and teaching of critical thinking varies among teachers, and critical thinking about health is not being taught. The second theme was the current and expected ICT conditions. Most public schools have computers, projectors, and internet connectivity. However, use of ICT in teaching is limited, due in part to low computer to student ratios.

Conclusions

There is a need for learning resources to develop critical thinking skills generally and critical thinking about health specifically. Such skills could be taught within the existing curriculum using available ICT technologies. Digital resources for teaching critical thinking about health should be designed so that they can be used flexibly across subjects and easily by teachers and students.
Antenatal corticosteroids for impending late preterm (34-36+6 weeks) deliveries—A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
Authors: Deshmukh Mangesh , Patole Sanjay
Published: March 2021

Background

Administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ANC) for impending preterm delivery beyond 34 weeks of gestation continues to be a controversial issue despite various guidelines for obstetricians and gynaecologists.

Objective

To compare outcomes following exposure to ANC for infants born between 34–36+6 weeks’ gestation.

Methods

A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCT) reporting neonatal outcomes after ANC exposure between 34–36+6 weeks’ gestation using Cochrane methodology. Databases including PubMed, Embase, Emcare, Cochrane Central library and Google Scholar were searched in May 2020. Primary outcomes: (1) Need for respiratory support (Mechanical ventilation, CPAP, high flow) or oxygen (2) Hypoglycemia. Secondary outcomes included respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), transient tachypnoea of newborn (TTN), need for neonatal resuscitation at birth [only in the delivery room immediately after birth (not in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)], admission to NICU, mortality and developmental follow up. Level of evidence (LOE) was summarised by GRADE guidelines.

Main results

Seven RCTs (N = 4144) with low to high risk of bias were included. Only one RCT was from high income countries, Meta-analysis (random-effects model) showed (1) reduced need for respiratory support [5 RCTs (N = 3844); RR = 0.68 (0.47–0.98), p = 0.04; I2 = 55%; LOE: Moderate] and (2) higher risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia [4 RCTs (N = 3604); RR = 1.61(1.38–1.87), p<0.00001; I2 = 0%; LOE: High] after ANC exposure. Neonates exposed to ANC had reduced need for resuscitation at birth. The incidence of RDS, TTN and surfactant therapy did not differ significantly. None of the included studies reported long-term developmental follow up.

Conclusions

Moderate quality evidence indicates that ANC exposure reduced need for respiratory support, and increased the risk of hypoglycaemia in late preterm neonates. Large definitive trials with adequate follow up for neurodevelopmental outcomes are required to assess benefits and risks of ANC in this population.
Zinc oxide nanoparticles mediated substantial physiological and molecular changes in tomato
Authors: Pejam Fatemeh , Ardebili Zahra Oraghi , Ladan-Moghadam Alireza , Danaee Elham
Published: March 2021

There has long been debate about how nanoproducts meet agricultural requirements. This study aimed to investigate tomato responses to the long-time foliar application of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP; 0 and 3 mgl-1) or bulk type (BZnO). Both ZnO-NP and BZnO treatments, especially the nanoform, were significantly capable of improving growth, biomass, and yield. The ZnO-NP treatment upregulated the expression of the R2R3MYB transcription factor by 2.6 folds. The BZnO and ZnO-NP treatments transcriptionally up-regulated WRKY1 gene by 2.5 and 6.4 folds, respectively. The bHLH gene was also upregulated in response to BZnO (2.3-fold) or ZnO-NP (4.7-fold). Moreover, the ZnO-NP application made a contribution to upregulation in the EREB gene whereas the bulk compound did not make a significant change. Upregulation in the HsfA1a gene also resulted from the ZnO-NP (2.8-fold) or BZnO (1.6-fold) supplementation. The MKK2 and CAT genes displayed a similar upregulation trend in response to the supplements by an average of 3-folds. While the application of ZnO-NP slightly down-regulated the histone deacetylases (HDA3) gene by 1.9-fold, indicating epigenetic modification. The supplements, especially the nano-product, enhanced concentrations of K, Fe, and Zn in both leaves and fruits. The concentrations of Chla, Chlb, and carotenoids were increased in response to the BZnO or ZnO-NP treatments. Likewise, BZnO or ZnO-NP mediated an increase in activity of nitrate reductase and proline content in leaves. These treatments increased soluble phenols and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity. With a similar trend, the BZnO or ZnO-NP application improved the activities of catalase and peroxidase enzymes. The reinforcement in metaxylem and secondary tissues resulted from the applied supplements. This study provides comprehensive comparative evidence on how ZnO-NPs may remodel the chromatin ultrastructure and transcription program, and confer stress tolerance in crops. This study also underlines the necessity of providing integrated transcriptome and proteome data in future studies.
Personality traits and BMI trends over three years in Japanese university students
Authors: Fukuhara-Makiyama Nozomi , Hayashida Masaki , Kobayashi Masakazu , Sagara Ikuko , Ogawa Sayaka , Maeda Mayumi , Shirabe Susumu
Published: March 2021

In Europe and America, associations between personality traits and body-mass index (BMI) have been reported. However, in Japan, the association between personality traits and BMI (i.e., thinness and obesity) has not been well studied. In this study, we investigated the relationship between Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) personality traits and changes in BMI status among Japanese students during their university attendance. We measured the height and weight of 5,340 students in a Japanese university during annual medical checkups and calculated their BMI. The students’ personality traits were measured using the short Japanese version of the TCI at university admission. The participants were divided into seven groups based on how BMI changed from the first year to the fourth year at university. In men, compared to the group that maintained normal BMI status (N = 2,189) over time (i.e., the control group), the group that maintained thinness status (N = 226) were lower in Reward Dependence, and the group whose status improved from thinness to normal (N = 117) were higher in Harm Avoidance. In women, compared with the control group (N = 1,510), the group that maintained thinness status (N = 302) was lower in Novelty Seeking, and the group whose status worsened from normal to thinness (N = 127) was higher in Harm Avoidance. Weak associations were found between thinness and TCI personality traits among Japanese university students. Further elaboration of the relationship between obesity or thinness and personality traits may help to provide effective preventive interventions in these areas.
Non-COVID-19 patients in times of pandemic: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations and cause-specific mortality in Northern Italy
Authors: Santi Luca , Golinelli Davide , Tampieri Andrea , Farina Gabriele , Greco Manfredi , Rosa Simona , Beleffi Michelle , Biavati Bianca , Campinoti Francesca , Guerrini Stefania , Ferrari Rodolfo , Rucci Paola , Fantini Maria Pia , Giostra Fabrizio
Published: March 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare services organization to adjust to mutating healthcare needs. Not exhaustive data are available on the consequences of this on non-COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the pandemic on non-COVID-19 patients living in a one-million inhabitants’ area in Northern Italy (Bologna Metropolitan Area-BMA), analyzing time trends of Emergency Department (ED) visits, hospitalizations and mortality. We conducted a retrospective observational study using data extracted from BMA healthcare informative systems. Weekly trends of ED visits, hospitalizations, in- and out-of-hospital, all-cause and cause-specific mortality between December 1st, 2019 to May 31st, 2020, were compared with those of the same period of the previous year. Non-COVID-19 ED visits and hospitalizations showed a stable trend until the first Italian case of COVID-19 has been recorded, on February 19th, 2020, when they dropped simultaneously. The reduction of ED visits was observed in all age groups and across all severity and diagnosis groups. In the lockdown period a significant increase was found in overall out-of-hospital mortality (43.2%) and cause-specific out-of-hospital mortality related to neoplasms (76.7%), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic (79.5%) as well as cardiovascular (32.7%) diseases. The pandemic caused a sudden drop of ED visits and hospitalizations of non-COVID-19 patients during the lockdown period, and a concurrent increase in out-of-hospital mortality mainly driven by deaths for neoplasms, cardiovascular and endocrine diseases. As recurrencies of the COVID-19 pandemic are underway, the scenario described in this study might be useful to understand both the population reaction and the healthcare system response at the early phases of the pandemic in terms of reduced demand of care and systems capability in intercepting it.