bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genome sequence of the Glanville fritillary, Melitaea cinxia (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Vila Roger , Hayward Alex , Lohse Konrad , Wright Charlotte ,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: October 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual maleMelitaea cinxia(the Glanville fritillary; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Nymphalidae). The genome sequence is 499 megabases in span. The complete assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the Z sex chromosome assembled. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl has identified 13,666 protein coding genes.
Digital Opportunities for – and Legal Impediments to – Participation in a General Meeting of Shareholders
Authors: Vutt Maris
Published: October 2021

In conditions of a globalising economy, the practice of holding a meeting by electronic means of communication to arrange a company’s day-to-day economic activities is increasingly widespread. Physical participation in a general meeting may be impeded by various natural circumstances, such as the risk of spread of diseases or weather conditions adverse to travel. The same impediments and inconveniences can affect public limited companies, whose shareholders often are in different countries, such that physically attending a general meeting may prove to be excessively burdensome. Therefore, the question of holding general meetings in digital form has become one of the more prominent issues in company law. The article examines whether and to what extent Estonia and other countries (Germany first and foremost, as a country with a legal system similar to Estonia’s, but also the Netherlands and the United Kingdom) regulate holding of public limited companies’ general meetings by electronic means. The article also addresses the main legal problems connected with participation in a general meeting held in digital form.
The Abkhazian Conflict: A Study on Self-determination and International Intervention
Authors: Lott Alexander
Published: October 2021

The Crimean conflict in 2014 followed in many respects the pattern of Russia’s previous interventions in a neighbouring state – e.g., the 2008 Georgian conflict. Yet its similarities with the forgotten Abkhazian conflict in 1992–1993 are not widely acknowledged. The principal aim of the study presented was to determine whether Abkhazia had the right to claim statehood and to examine Russia’s actions in support of the Abkhaz separatist forces during the conflict in 1992–1993. The author finds that the Abkhazians, similarly to the Crimean Russians, were not entitled to the right of external self-determination. The paper arrives at the conclusion that the fighting in Abkhazia in 1992–1993 may be categorised as an international armed conflict due to Russia’s direct military intervention.
Advertising communications in politics: the essence and main approaches to the study
Authors: Rafikov Artur
Published: October 2021

The purpose of this work is to develop and test a definition of «advertising communications in politics». A retrospective method is used, which assumes an analysis of development of scientific approaches to the phenomenon of political advertising in the Russian political science. The result of this study is the definition of «advertising communications in politics», by which it is proposed to consider the process of transmission by a political actor to other political market participants of advertising information containing some data about this actor, their program and activitywhileusing various argumentation, as well as rhetorical, stylistic and other speech techniques, and the purpose of which is to influence the behavior of the selected electoral groups and to encourage them to commit certain targeted actions. The proposed definition allows identifying and analyzingof advertising communicationsin the digital environment with its new frameworks, such as for example posts and publications in social networks, as well as materials on the official websites of political actors. The theoretical significance of this work lies in the relevance of the proposed definition for the digital environment, as well as in the possibilityof using it for distinguishing advertising communications from PR communications, since the nature of the information transmitted in the process of communication is used as a criterion for distinction.
Is it possible to predict academic performance? An analysis from educational technology.
Authors: Estrada Molina Odiel , Fuentes Cancell Dieter
Published: October 2021

Predecir el rendimiento académico es un elemento clave en la educación, permitiéndole al profesorado diseñar acciones didácticas preventivas. Diversas disciplinas intervienen en este proceso predictivo, siendo las analíticas de aprendizaje, el aprendizaje automático, la minería de datos educativos las redes neuronales artificiales y las teorías difusas, las de mayor influencia. Se presenta una revisión sistemática a la literatura científica (2010-marzo 2020) presente en Scopus, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library y Springer, con el objetivo valorar el cómo se ha comportado la predicción del rendimiento académico en dos escenarios: (1) modalidades de estudios online (en línea) y semipresencial; y (2) Apoyo tecnológico a la modalidad presencial. Se concluye el artículo con la determinación de las tendencias entre las disciplinas de las tecnologías educativas y las variables del rendimiento académico.
Good practices of the educational community in students with rare or infrequent diseases.
Authors: Lozano Martínez Josefina , Castillo Reche Irina Sherezade , Cerezo Maiquez Mari Carmen
Published: October 2021

En este trabajo se describen buenas prácticas inclusivas en dos centros educativos de la Región de Murcia con alumnado, que tiene que convivir con una enfermedad poco común, denominadas enfermedades raras. Esta investigación se encuentra enmarcada en otra a escala nacional1 en la cual participan 12 universidades con el objeto de ofertar una respuesta educativa exitosa a las necesidades del alumnado con enfermedades poco frecuentes (EPF) durante su escolarización. Para ello, a través de una investigación cualitativa y utilizando diferentes instrumentos como entrevistas grupales, individuales y grupos focales, se han recogido las voces de los diferentes miembros de la comunidad educativa para analizar las practicas desarrolladas en estos centros educativos de la Región de Murcia, seleccionados por llevar a cabo propuestas inclusivas para dar respuesta a las necesidades de este tipo de alumnado. Los resultados nos muestran que, a pesar de todas las dificultades que se pueden encontrar, las relaciones que se crean entre los miembros de la comunidad educativa en ambos centros son satisfactorias para los profesionales, familias y alumnado, tanto para aquel con EPF como para el resto. La incorporación de una enfermera por centro junto con el equipo de apoyo especialista ha ayudado a este desarrollo. Siguen requiriendo más formación sobre esta temática para los docentes y familias y esperando un mayor respaldo para la aceptación de este alumnado desde el ámbito social.
The importance of learning and knowledge sharing to support implementation of total quality management in healthcare
Authors: Lebcir Reda M , Sideras James D
Published: October 2021

Background/Aims

Implementation of total quality management in healthcare services has often been unsuccessful. This is a result of a variety of factors, including the inadequacy of learning and knowledge sharing methods to support implementation. This study aimed to explore how learning and knowledge sharing policies influence total quality management initiatives in the healthcare sector.

Methods

An extended total quality management model, named the ethical, adaptive, learning, and improvement model, was developed and implemented in a private healthcare organisation in the UK. Using action research, data were collected from 91 participants over a 21-month period from qualitative interviews, focus groups and participant observations.

Results

Practice-based training was found to increase employee competence, reflecting the importance of tacit knowledge sharing. The model led to the prevalent blame culture changing to a learning culture through an appreciative management style that focused on recognising what is done right. In addition, patients' satisfaction and quality of care improved through community groups that were set up to address quality problems and patients' needs.

Conclusions

Adequate knowledge sharing methods play an important role in improving quality in healthcare. Greater consideration should be given to this widely ignored aspect when implementing total quality management in NHS trusts.
Lisfranc injuries: fix or fuse?
Authors: van den Boom Noortje Anna Clasina , Stollenwerck Guido A. N. L. , Lodewijks Laureanne , Bransen Jeroen , Evers Silvia M. A. A. , Poeze Martijn
Published: October 2021

Aims

This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with primary arthrodesis (PA) in the treatment of Lisfranc injuries, regarding patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and risk of secondary surgery. The aim was to conclusively determine the best available treatment based on the most complete and recent evidence available.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, CINAHL, PEDro, and SPORTDiscus. Additionally, ongoing trial registers and reference lists of included articles were screened. Risk of bias (RoB) and level of evidence were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tools and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool. The random and fixed-effect models were used for the statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 20 studies were selected for this review, of which 12 were comparative studies fit for meta-analysis, including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This resulted in a total analyzed population of 392 patients treated with ORIF and 249 patients treated with PA. The mean differences between the two groups in American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), VAS, and SF-36 scores were -7.41 (95% confidence interval (CI) -13.31 to -1.51), 0.77 (95% CI -0.85 to 2.39), and -1.20 (95% CI -3.86 to 1.46), respectively.

Conclusion

This is the first study to find a statistically significant difference in PROMs, as measured by the AOFAS score, in favour of PA for the treatment of Lisfranc injuries. However, this difference may not be clinically relevant, and therefore drawing a definitive conclusion requires confirmation by a large prospective high-quality RCT. Such a study should also assess cost-effectiveness, as cost considerations might be decisive in decision-making. Level of Evidence: I Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2021;2(10):842–849.
Shot noise limits on binary detection in multiphoton imaging
Authors: LaViolette Aaron K. , Xu Chris
Published: October 2021

Much of fluorescence-based microscopy involves detection of if an object is present or absent (i.e., binary detection). The imaging depth of three-dimensionally resolved imaging, such as multiphoton imaging, is fundamentally limited by out-of-focus background fluorescence, which when compared to the in-focus fluorescence makes detecting objects in the presence of noise difficult. Here, we use detection theory to present a statistical framework and metric to quantify the quality of an image when binary detection is of interest. Our treatment does not require acquired or reference images, and thus allows for a theoretical comparison of different imaging modalities and systems.
Phonon-induced anomalous gauge potential for photonic isolation in frequency space
Authors: Yang Jianfan , Yuan Luqi , Qin Tian , Zhang Fangxing , Chen Yao , Jiang Xiaoshun , Chen Xianfeng , Fan Shanhui , Wan Wenjie
Published: October 2021

Photonic gauge potentials are crucial for manipulating charge-neutral photons like their counterpart electrons in the electromagnetic field, allowing the analogous Aharonov–Bohm effect in photonics and paving the way for critical applications such as photonic isolation. Normally, a gauge potential exhibits phase inversion along two opposite propagation paths. Here we experimentally demonstrate phonon-induced anomalous gauge potentials with noninverted gauge phases in a spatial-frequency space, where near-phase-matched nonlinear Brillouin scatterings enable such unique direction-dependent gauge phases. Based on this scheme, we construct photonic isolators in the frequency domain permitting nonreciprocal propagation of light along the frequency axis, where coherent phase control in the photonic isolator allows switching completely the directionality through an Aharonov–Bohm interferometer. Moreover, similar coherent controlled unidirectional frequency conversions are also illustrated. These results may offer a unique platform for a compact, integrated solution to implement synthetic-dimension devices for on-chip optical signal processing.
Metamaterial engineered silicon photonic coupler for whispering gallery mode microsphere and disk resonators
Authors: Farnesi D. , Pelli S. , Soria S. , Nunzi Conti G. , Le Roux X. , Montesinos Ballester M. , Vivien L. , Cheben P. , Alonso-Ramos C.
Published: October 2021

Optical microresonators with high quality factors are key in photonic circuits requiring fine spectral filtering or resonant storage of optical power. Silicon (Si) photonics provides high-performance optoelectronic circuits but yields planar Si microresonators with rather low quality factors (

Q

<

10

5

). On the other hand, bulk resonators achieve exceptionally high quality factors,

Q

>

10

7

. Si photonic waveguides and bulk resonators have very different sizes and refractive indices that preclude efficient coupling. Here, we show an efficient method to couple bulk resonators and Si waveguides based on subwavelength metamaterial engineering. We demonstrate up to 99% light coupling efficiency for microspheres and microdisks made of silica, lithium niobate, and calcium fluoride, with

0.3

−

3.6

m
m

diameter. This achievement could enable the heterogeneous integration of bulk resonators and silicon photonic circuits, with potential applications in sensing, communications, and quantum information.
A qualitative study of the barriers and enhancers to retention in care for pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV
Authors: Humphrey John , Alera Marsha , Kipchumba Bett , Pfeiffer Elizabeth J. , Songok Julia , Mwangi Winfred , Musick Beverly , Yiannoutsos Constantin , Wachira Juddy , Wools-Kaloustian Kara
Published: October 2021

Retention in care is a major challenge for pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV (PPHIV) in the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) continuum. However, the factors influencing retention from the perspectives of women who have become lost to follow-up (LTFU) are not well described. We explored these factors within an enhanced sub-cohort of the East Africa International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS Consortium. From 2018–2019, a purposeful sample of PPHIV ≥18 years of age were recruited from five maternal and child health clinics providing integrated PMTCT services in Kenya. Women retained in care were recruited at the facility; women who had become LTFU (last visit >90 days) were recruited through community tracking. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically using a social-ecological framework. Forty-one PPHIV were interviewed. The median age was 27 years, 71% were pregnant, and 39% had become LTFU. In the individual domain, prior PMTCT experience and desires to safeguard infants’ health enhanced retention but were offset by perceived lack of value in PMTCT services following infants’ immunizations. In the peer/family domain, male-partner financial and motivational support enhanced retention. In the community/society domain, some women perceived social pressure to attend clinic while others perceived pressure to utilize traditional birth attendants. In the healthcare environment, long queues and negative provider attitudes were prominent barriers. HIV-related stigma and fear of disclosure crossed multiple domains, particularly for LTFU women, and were driven by perceptions of HIV as a fatal disease and fear of partner abandonment and abuse. Both retained and LTFU women perceived that integrated HIV services increased the risk of disclosure. Retention was influenced by multiple factors for PPHIV. Stigma and fear of disclosure were prominent barriers for LTFU women. Multicomponent interventions and refining the structure and efficiency of PMTCT services may enhance retention for PPHIV.
Antimicrobial resistance detection in Southeast Asian hospitals is critically important from both patient and societal perspectives, but what is its cost?
Authors: Roberts Tamalee , Luangasanatip Nantasit , Ling Clare L. , Hopkins Jill , Jaksuwan Risara , Lubell Yoel , Vongsouvath Manivanh , van Doorn H. Rogier , Ashley Elizabeth A. , Turner Paul
Published: October 2021

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to global health. Improving laboratory capacity for AMR detection is critically important for patient health outcomes and population level surveillance. We aimed to estimate the financial cost of setting up and running a microbiology laboratory for organism identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing as part of an AMR surveillance programme. Financial costs for setting up and running a microbiology laboratory were estimated using a top-down approach based on resource and cost data obtained from three clinical laboratories in the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit network. Costs were calculated for twelve scenarios, considering three levels of automation, with equipment sourced from either of the two leading manufacturers, and at low and high specimen throughput. To inform the costs of detection of AMR in existing labs, the unit cost per specimen and per isolate were also calculated using a micro-costing approach. Establishing a laboratory with the capacity to process 10,000 specimens per year ranged from $254,000 to $660,000 while the cost for a laboratory processing 100,000 specimens ranged from $394,000 to $887,000. Excluding capital costs to set up the laboratory, the cost per specimen ranged from $22–31 (10,000 specimens) and $11–12 (100,000 specimens). The cost per isolate ranged from $215–304 (10,000 specimens) and $105–122 (100,000 specimens). This study provides a conservative estimate of the costs for setting up and running a microbiology laboratory for AMR surveillance from a healthcare provider perspective. In the absence of donor support, these costs may be prohibitive in many low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings. With the increased focus on AMR detection and surveillance, the high laboratory costs highlight the need for more focus on developing cheaper and cost-effective equipment and reagents so that laboratories in LMICs have the potential to improve laboratory capacity and participate in AMR surveillance.
The enzyme activity of mitochondrial trifunctional protein is not altered by lysine acetylation or lysine succinylation
Authors: Zhang Yuxun , Goetzman Eric
Published: October 2021

Mitochondrial trifunctional protein (TFP) is a membrane-associated heterotetramer that catalyzes three of the four reactions needed to chain-shorten long-chain fatty acids inside the mitochondria. TFP is known to be heavily modified by acetyllysine and succinyllysine post-translational modifications (PTMs), many of which are targeted for reversal by the mitochondrial sirtuin deacylases SIRT3 and SIRT5. However, the functional significance of these PTMs is not clear, with some reports showing TFP gain-of-function and some showing loss-of-function upon increased acylation. Here, we mapped the known SIRT3/SIRT5-targeted lysine residues onto the recently solved TFP crystal structure which revealed that many of the target sites are involved in substrate channeling within the TFPα subunit. To test the effects of acylation on substate channeling through TFPα, we enzymatically synthesized the physiological long-chain substrate (2E)-hexadecenoyl-CoA. Assaying TFP in SIRT3 and SIRT5 knockout mouse liver and heart mitochondria with (2E)-hexadecenoyl-CoA revealed no change in enzyme activity. Finally, we investigated the effects of lysine acylation on TFP membrane binding in vitro. Acylation did not alter recombinant TFP binding to cardiolipin-containing liposomes. However, the presence of liposomes strongly abrogated the acylation reaction between succinyl-CoA and TFP lysine residues. Thus, TFP in the membrane-bound state may be protected against lysine acylation.
Force production and muscle activation during partial vs. full range of motion in Paralympic Powerlifting
Authors: Mendonça Tanise Pires , Aidar Felipe José , Matos Dihogo Gama , Souza Raphael Fabrício , Marçal Anderson Carlos , Almeida-Neto Paulo Francisco , Cabral Breno Guilherme , Garrido Nuno Domingos , Neiva Henrique Pereira , Marinho Daniel Almeida , Marques Mário Cardoso , Reis Victor Machado
Published: October 2021

Paralympic Powerlifting is a sport in which the strength of the upper limbs is assessed through bench press performance in an adapted specific bench. It is therefore essential to optimize training methods to maximize this performance. The aim of the present study was to compare force production and muscle activation involved in partial vs. full range of motion (ROM) training in Paralympic Powerlifting. Twelve male athletes of elite national level in Paralympic Powerlifting participated in the study (28.60 ± 7.60 years of age, 71.80 ± 17.90 kg of body mass). The athletes performed five sets of 5RM (repetition maximum), either with 90% of 1RM in full ROM or with a load of 130% 1RM in partial ROM. All subjects underwent both exercise conditions in consecutive weeks. Order assignment in the first week was random and counterbalanced. Fatigue index (FI), Maximum Isometric Force (MIF), Time to MIF (Time) and rate of force development (RFD) were determined by a force sensor. Muscle thickness was obtained using ultrasound images. All measures were taken pre- and post-training. Additionally, electromyographic signal (EMG) was evaluated in the last set of each exercise condition. Post-exercise fatigue was higher with full ROM as well as loss of MIF. Full ROM also induced greater. EMG showed greater activation of the Clavicular portion and Sternal portion of pectoralis major muscle and lower in the anterior portion of deltoid muscle when full ROM was performed. Muscle thickness of the pectoralis major muscle increased post-exercise. We concluded that training with partial ROM enables higher workloads with lower loss of muscle function.
Structural features of the streetscape of Macau across four different spatial scales based on historical maps
Authors: Teng Youping , Yang Shuai , Huang Yue
Published: October 2021

In the analysis of complex historical layering, studies on how to avoid theoretical analysis and use quantitative methods of display and analysis are scarce. Therefore, we used space syntax to fill this gap in historical layering analysis. We established a spatial digital model by combining the urban historical landscape theory with the space syntax analysis method. Then, we quantitatively analysed the streetscapes in the four historical periods of Macau and the value-related development of the city’s economy, society, and culture. To this end, we used the theory of urban historical landscape to interpret the streetscape of Macau. We reviewed urban development under different spatial scales, which represent different states of historical layering. Changing ideological trends of construction have induced changes in the city, which have led to changes in the city style. The analysis considers the dimensions of space and time, and its results can guide the continued benign growth of the urban landscape and solve protection problems in practice. Meanwhile, the results of this work also indicate that the unique streetscape of Macau bred by the development of the city does not affect the newly constructed roads. The newly reclaimed areas and the streetscape of the new city are on the verge of homogeneity and cannot reflect the unique regional characteristics of Macau. Therefore, we used the historical map of Macau as a carrier, used space syntax to analyse the structure of Macau’s streetscape, and explored the apparent characteristics and value associations carried by the streetscape of Macau under different historical slices. Our results can help retrieve the value of Macau’s historical streetscape and devise a targeted protection strategy that can help pass on the historical streetscape of Macau to posterity.
Orchestration versus bookkeeping: How stakeholder pressures drive a healthcare purchaser’s institutional logics
Authors: Noort Bart A. C. , van der Vaart Taco , Ahaus Kees
Published: October 2021

Background

Healthcare purchasers such as health insurers and governmental bodies are expected to strategically manage chronic care chains. In doing so, purchasers can contribute to the goal of improving task division and collaboration between chronic care providers as has been recommended by numerous studies. However, healthcare purchasing research indicates that, in most countries, purchasers still struggle to fulfil a proactive, strategic approach. Consequently, a typical pattern occurs in which care improvement initiatives are instigated, but not transformed into regular care. By acknowledging that healthcare purchasers are embedded in a care chain of stakeholders who have different, sometimes conflicting, interests and, by taking an institutional logics lens, we seek to explain why achieving strategic purchasing and sustainable improvement is so elusive.

Method and findings

We present a longitudinal case study in which we follow a health insurer and care providers aiming to improve the care of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a region of the Netherlands. Taking a theoretical lens of institutional logics, our aim was to answer ‘how stakeholder pressures influence a purchaser’s use of institutional logics when pursuing the right care at the right place’. The insurer by default predominantly expressed a bookkeeper’s logic, reflecting a focus on controlling short-term care costs by managing individual providers. Over time, a contrasting orchestrator’s logic emerged in an attempt to achieve chain-wide improvement, striving for better health outcomes and lower long-term costs. We established five types of stakeholder pressure to explain the shift in logic adoption: relationship pressures, cost pressures, medical demands, public health demands and uncertainty. Linking the changes in logic over time with stakeholder pressures showed that, firstly, the different pressures interact in influencing the purchaser. Secondly, we saw that the lack of intra-organisational alignment affects how the purchaser deals with the different stakeholder pressures.

Conclusions

By highlighting the purchaser’s difficult position in the care chain and the consequences of their own internal responses, we now better understand why the intended orchestrator’s logic and thereby a strategic approach to purchasing chronic care proves unsustainable within the Dutch healthcare system of managed competition.
Effects of COVID-19 on trade flows: Measuring their impact through government policy responses
Authors: Barbero Javier , de Lucio Juan José , Rodríguez-Crespo Ernesto
Published: October 2021

This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on bilateral trade flows using a state-of-the-art gravity model of trade. Using the monthly trade data of 68 countries exporting across 222 destinations between January 2019 and October 2020, our results are threefold. First, we find a greater negative impact of COVID-19 on bilateral trade for those countries that were members of regional trade agreements before the pandemic. Second, we find that the impact of COVID-19 is negative and significant when we consider indicators related to governmental actions. Finally, this negative effect is more intense when exporter and importer country share identical income levels. In the latter case, the highest negative impact is found for exports between high-income countries.
Sex- and age- specific normal values of left ventricular functional and myocardial mass parameters using threshold-based trabeculae quantification
Authors: Gregor Zsófia , Kiss Anna Réka , Szabó Liliána Erzsébet , Tóth Attila , Grebur Kinga , Horváth Márton , Dohy Zsófia , Merkely Béla , Vágó Hajnalka , Szűcs Andrea
Published: October 2021

Background

The threshold-based (TB) trabeculated and papillary muscle mass (TPM) quantification method for cardiac MRI (CMR) calculates different values than conventional contouring techniques. We aimed to identify the sex- and age-related normal reference ranges for left ventricular (LV) myocardial mass values, volumetric and functional parameters and the correspondence of these parameters using the TB method.

Methods

Healthy European adults (n = 200, age: 39.4 ± 12 years, males: 100) were examined with CMR and evaluated with a TB postprocessing method. They were stratified by sex and age (Group A: 18–29, Group B: 30–39, Group C: 40–49, Group D: >50 years). The calculated parameters were indexed to body surface area (i).

Results

The normal reference ranges for the studied parameters were assessed in each age group. Significant biometric differences in LV parameters and mass-to-volume ratios were found between males and females, and the left ventricular compacted myocardial mass (LVCMi) and TPMi differences remained significant after stratification by age. Unlike other LV volumetric and functional parameters and mass-to-volume ratios, the TPMi, the LVCMi and the TPMi-to-LVCMi ratio did not differ among age groups in males or females. This finding was strengthened by the lack of correlation between TPMi and age.

Conclusions

Age- and sex-related normal reference ranges for LV volumetric and functional parameters and LVCMi and TPMi values were established using a TB postprocessing method. TPMi, LVCMi and their ratio did not change over time. The TPMi-to-LVCMi and the mass-to-volume ratios might have clinical utility in the differential diagnosis of conditions with LV hypertrabeculation.
A novel pre-clinical strategy to deliver antimicrobial doses of inhaled nitric oxide
Authors: Michaelsen Vinicius S. , Ribeiro Rafaela V. P. , Brambate Edson , Ali Aadil , Wang Aizhou , Pires Layla , Kawashima Mitsuaki , Zhang Yu , Gazzalle Anajara , Keshavjee Shaf , Del Sorbo Lorenzo , Cypel Marcelo
Published: October 2021

Effective treatment of respiratory infections continues to be a major challenge. In high doses (≥160 ppm), inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO) has been shown to act as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, including its efficacy in vitro for coronavirus family. However, the safety of prolonged in vivo implementation of high-dose iNO therapy has not been studied. Herein we aim to explore the feasibility and safety of delivering continuous high-dose iNO over an extended period of time using an in vivo animal model. Yorkshire pigs were randomized to one of the following two groups: group 1, standard ventilation; and group 2, standard ventilation + continuous iNO 160 ppm + methylene blue (MB) as intravenous bolus, whenever required, to maintain metHb <6%. Both groups were ventilated continuously for 6 hours, then the animals were weaned from sedation, mechanical ventilation and followed for 3 days. During treatment, and on the third post-operative day, physiologic assessments were performed to monitor lung function and other significative markers were assessed for potential pulmonary or systemic injury. No significant change in lung function, or inflammatory markers were observed during the study period. Both gas exchange function, lung tissue cytokine analysis and histology were similar between treated and control animals. During treatment, levels of metHb were maintained <6% by administration of MB, and NO2 remained <5 ppm. Additionally, considering extrapulmonary effects, no significant changes were observed in biochemistry markers. Our findings showed that high-dose iNO delivered continuously over 6 hours with adjuvant MB is clinically feasible and safe. These findings support the development of investigations of continuous high-dose iNO treatment of respiratory tract infections, including SARS-CoV-2.
First observation on the predation of a non-arthropod species by a dung beetle species: The case of Canthon chalybaeus and the snail Bulimulus apodemetes
Authors: Martín Claudia M. , Guanuco Andrea del V. , Cortez Vieyle , Verdú José R.
Published: October 2021

We described, for the first time, a case of predation of a non-arthropod species by a dung beetle species. Canthon chalybaeus Blanchard, 1843 kills healthy individuals of the terrestrial snail Bulimulus apodemetes (D’Orbigny, 1835) showing an evident pattern of physical aggressiveness in the attacks using the dentate clypeus and the anterior tibiae. The description of this predatory behaviour was complemented with the analysis of the chemical secretions of the pygidial glands of C. chalybaeus, highlighting those main chemical compounds that, due to their potential toxicity, could contribute to death of the snail. We observed a high frequency of predatory interactions reinforcing the idea that predation in dung beetles is not accidental and although it is opportunistic it involves a series of behavioural sophistications that suggest an evolutionary pattern within Deltochilini that should not only be better studied from a behavioural point of view but also phylogenetically.
Kinetin stimulates differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts
Authors: Mielcarek Michal , Isalan Mark
Published: October 2021

Kinetin or N6-furfuryladenine (K) belongs to a class of plant hormones called cytokinins, which are biologically active molecules modulating many aspects of plant growth and development. However, biological activities of cytokinins are not only limited to plants; their effects on animals have been widely reported in the literature. Here, we found that Kinetin is a potent small molecule that efficiently stimulates differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts into myotubes in vitro. The highest efficacy was achieved at 1μM and 10μM Kinetin concentrations, in both mitogen-poor and rich media. More importantly, Kinetin was able to strongly stimulate the MyoD-dependent conversion of fibroblasts into myotubes. Kinetin alone did not give rise to fibroblast conversion and required MyoD; this demonstrates that Kinetin augments the molecular repertoire of necessary key regulatory factors to facilitate MyoD-mediated myogenic differentiation. This novel Kinetin pro-myogenic function may be explained by its ability to alter intracellular calcium levels and by its potential to impact on Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) signalling. Taken together, our findings unravel the effects of a new class of small molecules with potent pro-myogenic activities. This opens up new therapeutic avenues with potential for treating skeletal muscle diseases related to muscle aging and wasting.
Four-year safety and effectiveness data from patients with multiple sclerosis treated with fingolimod: The Spanish GILENYA registry
Authors: Meca-Lallana J. E. , Oreja-Guevara C. , Muñoz D. , Olascoaga J. , Pato A. , Ramió-Torrentà L. , Meca-Lallana V. , Hernández M. A. , Marzo M. E. , Álvarez- Cermeño J. C. , Rodríguez-Antigüedad A. , Montalbán X. , Fernández O. ,   on behalf of the Spanish GILENYA Registry Investigators
Published: October 2021

Objective

To describe the profile of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with fingolimod in Spain and to assess the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod after 4 years of inclusion in the Spanish Gilenya Registry.

Methods

An observational, retrospective/prospective, multicenter case registry, including all patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) starting treatment with fingolimod in 43 centers in Spain. Analyses were performed in the overall population and in subgroups according to prior disease-modifying therapy (DMT): glatiramer acetate/interferon beta-1 (BRACE), natalizumab, other treatment, or naïve.

Results

Six hundred and sixty-six evaluable patients were included (91.1% previously treated with at least one DMT). The mean annualized relapse rate (ARR) prior to fingolimod was 1.12, and the mean EDSS at fingolimod initiation was 3.03. Fingolimod reduced the ARR by 71.4%, 75%, 75.5%, and 80.3%, after 1, 2, 3 and 4 years, respectively (p<0.001). This significant reduction in the ARR continued to be observed in all subgroups. After 4 years, the EDSS showed a minimal deterioration, with the EDSS scores from year 1 to year 4 remaining mostly stable. The percentage of patients without T1 Gd+ lesions progressively increased from 45.6% during the year prior to fingolimod initiation to 88.2% at year 4. The proportion of patients free from new/enlarged T2 lesions after 4 years of fingolimod treatment was 80.3%. This trend in both radiological measures was also observed in the subgroups. Adverse events (AEs) were experienced by up to 41.6% of patients (most commonly: lymphopenia [12.5%] and urinary tract infection [3.7%]). Most AEs were mild in severity, 3.6% of patients had serious AEs.

Conclusions

The patient profile was similar to other observational studies. The results obtained from the long-term use of fingolimod showed that it was effective, regardless of prior DMT, and it had adequate safety results, with a positive benefit-risk balance.
Who keeps on working? The importance of resilience for labour market participation
Authors: Berthung Espen , Gutacker Nils , Friborg Oddgeir , Abelsen Birgit , Olsen Jan Abel
Published: October 2021

Background

It is widely recognized that individuals’ health and educational attainments, commonly referred to as their human capital, are important determinants for their labour market participation (LMP). What is less recognised is the influence of individuals’ latent resilience traits on their ability to sustain LMP after experiencing an adversity such as a health shock.

Aim

We investigate the extent to which resilience is independently associated with LMP and moderates the effect of health shocks on LMP.

Method

We analysed data from two consecutive waves of a Norwegian prospective cohort study. We followed 3,840 adults who, at baseline, were healthy and worked full time. Binary logistic regression models were applied to explain their employment status eight years later, controlling for age, sex, educational attainment, health status at baseline, as well as the occurrences of three types of health shocks (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, psychological problems). Individuals’ resilience, measured by the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), entered as an independent variable and as an interaction with the indicators of health shocks. In separate models, we explore the role of two further indicators of resilience; locus of control, and health optimism.

Results

As expected, health shocks reduce the probability to keep on working full-time. While both the RSA and the two related indicators all suggest that resilience increases the probability to keep on working, we did not find evidence that resilience moderates the association between health shocks and LMP.

Conclusion

Higher levels of resilience is associated with full-time work as individuals age.
Chlamydia buteonis in birds of prey presented to California wildlife rehabilitation facilities
Authors: Seibert Brittany A. , Keel Michael K. , Kelly Terra R. , Nilsen Roger A. , Ciembor Paula , Pesti Denise , Gregory Christopher R. , Ritchie Branson W. , Hawkins Michelle G.
Published: October 2021

Chlamydial infections, caused by a group of obligate, intracellular, gram-negative bacteria, have health implications for animals and humans. Due to their highly infectious nature and zoonotic potential, staff at wildlife rehabilitation centers should be educated on the clinical manifestations, prevalence, and risk factors associated with Chlamydia spp. infections in raptors. The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence of chlamydial DNA shedding and anti-chlamydial antibodies in raptors admitted to five wildlife rehabilitation centers in California over a one-year period. Chlamydial prevalence was estimated in raptors for each center and potential risk factors associated with infection were evaluated, including location, species, season, and age class. Plasma samples and conjunctiva/choana/cloaca swabs were collected for serology and qPCR from a subset of 263 birds of prey, representing 18 species. Serologic assays identified both anti-C. buteonis IgM and anti-chlamydial IgY antibodies. Chlamydial DNA and anti-chlamydial antibodies were detected in 4.18% (11/263) and 3.14% (6/191) of patients, respectively. Chamydial DNA was identified in raptors from the families Accipitridae and Strigidae while anti-C.buteonis IgM was identified in birds identified in Accipitridae, Falconidae, Strigidae, and Cathartidae. Two of the chlamydial DNA positive birds (one Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni) and one red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)) were necropsied, and tissues were collected for culture. Sequencing of the cultured elementary bodies revealed a chlamydial DNA sequence with 99.97% average nucleotide identity to the recently described Chlamydia buteonis. Spatial clusters of seropositive raptors and raptors positive for chlamydial DNA were detected in northern California. Infections were most prevalent during the winter season. Furthermore, while the proportion of raptors testing positive for chlamydial DNA was similar across age classes, seroprevalence was highest in adults. This study questions the current knowledge on C. buteonis host range and highlights the importance of further studies to evaluate the diversity and epidemiology of Chlamydia spp. infecting raptor populations.
Pathophysiology and inflammatory biomarkers of sulfur mustard-induced corneal injury in rabbits
Authors: Goswami Dinesh G. , Mishra Neha , Kant Rama , Agarwal Chapla , Croutch Claire R. , Enzenauer Robert W. , Petrash Mark J. , Tewari-Singh Neera , Agarwal Rajesh
Published: October 2021

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a cytotoxic, vesicating, chemical warfare agent, first used in 1917; corneas are particularly vulnerable to SM exposure. They may develop inflammation, ulceration, neovascularization (NV), impaired vision, and partial/complete blindness depending upon the concentration of SM, exposure duration, and bio-physiological conditions of the eyes. Comprehensive in vivo studies have established ocular structural alterations, opacity, NV, and inflammation upon short durations (<4 min) of SM exposure. In this study, detailed analyses of histopathological alterations in corneal structure, keratocytes, inflammatory cells, blood vessels, and expressions of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cytokines were performed in New Zealand white rabbits, in a time-dependent manner till 28 days, post longer durations (5 and 7 min) of ocular SM exposure to establish quantifiable endpoints of injury and healing. Results indicated that SM exposure led to duration-dependent increases in corneal thickness, opacity, ulceration, epithelial-stromal separation, and epithelial degradation. Significant increases in NV, keratocyte death, blood vessels, and inflammatory markers (COX-2, MMP-9, VEGF, and interleukin-8) were also observed for both exposure durations compared to the controls. Collectively, these findings would benefit in temporal delineation of mechanisms underlying SM-induced corneal toxicity and provide models for testing therapeutic interventions.
Safety and efficacy of very low carbohydrate diet in patients with diabetic kidney disease—A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zainordin Nur Aisyah , Eddy Warman Nur’ Aini , Mohamad Aimi Fadilah , Abu Yazid Fatin Aqilah , Ismail Nazrul Hadi , Chen Xin Wee , Koshy Marymol , Abdul Rahman Thuhairah Hasrah , Mohd Ismail Nafeeza , Abdul Ghani Rohana
Published: October 2021

Introduction

There is limited data on the effects of low carbohydrate diets on renal outcomes particularly in patients with underlying diabetic kidney disease. Therefore, this study determined the safety and effects of very low carbohydrate (VLCBD) in addition to low protein diet (LPD) on renal outcomes, anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory parameters in patients with T2DM and underlying mild to moderate kidney disease (DKD).

Materials and methods

This was an investigator-initiated, single-center, randomized, controlled, clinical trial in patients with T2DM and DKD, comparing 12-weeks of low carbohydrate diet (<20g daily intake) versus standard low protein (0.8g/kg/day) and low salt diet. Patients in the VLCBD group underwent 2-weekly monitoring including their 3-day food diaries. In addition, Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed to estimate body fat percentages.

Results

The study population (n = 30) had a median age of 57 years old and a BMI of 30.68kg/m2. Both groups showed similar total calorie intake, i.e. 739.33 (IQR288.48) vs 789.92 (IQR522.4) kcal, by the end of the study. The VLCBD group showed significantly lower daily carbohydrate intake 27 (IQR25) g vs 89.33 (IQR77.4) g, p<0.001, significantly higher protein intake per day 44.08 (IQR21.98) g vs 29.63 (IQR16.35) g, p<0.05 and no difference in in daily fat intake. Both groups showed no worsening of serum creatinine at study end, with consistent declines in HbA1c (1.3(1.1) vs 0.7(1.25) %) and fasting blood glucose (1.5(3.37) vs 1.3(5.7) mmol/L). The VLCBD group showed significant reductions in total daily insulin dose (39(22) vs 0 IU, p<0.001), increased LDL-C and HDL-C, decline in IL-6 levels; with contrasting results in the control group. This was associated with significant weight reduction (-4.0(3.9) vs 0.2(4.2) kg, p = <0.001) and improvements in body fat percentages. WC was significantly reduced in the VLCBD group, even after adjustments to age, HbA1c, weight and creatinine changes. Both dietary interventions were well received with no reported adverse events.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that dietary intervention of very low carbohydrate diet in patients with underlying diabetic kidney disease was safe and associated with significant improvements in glycemic control, anthropometric measurements including weight, abdominal adiposity and IL-6. Renal outcomes remained unchanged. These findings would strengthen the importance of this dietary intervention as part of the management of patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Economic value of illegal wildlife trade entering the USA
Authors: Tow Jia Hao , Symes William S. , Carrasco Luis Roman
Published: October 2021

Illegal wildlife trade is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Understanding its economic value is a first step to establishing the magnitude of the problem. We develop a dataset of illegal wildlife trade prices and combine it with seizure data to estimate the economic value of illegal wildlife trade entering the USA. Using 2013 as a reference year, the results reveal that the economic value of illegal wildlife trade entering the USA was, using a conservative scenario where potential outliers were excluded, US$3.2 billion/year (uncertainty range (UR) 5th and 95th percentile of US$0.6–8.2 billion/year) and, without excluding potential outliers, US$4.3 billion/year (UR of US$1.3–9.6 billion/year). Our results for the USA alone are of a comparable magnitude to the lower bound of commonly used global estimates of the economic value of IWT of uncertain origin, suggesting that the global economic value of IWT is currently underestimated and requires an urgent revision.