bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
School leadership, school inspection and the micropolitics of compliance and resistance: Examining the hyper-enactment of policy in an area of deprivation
Authors: Colman Aly
Published: March 2020

This paper examines the influence of intense scrutiny from Ofsted on school leadership and policy enactment. Data was collected in a coastal area of deprivation, providing the setting for a detailed case study of school leadership in a state secondary school and a state primary school, both with recent or ongoing experience of intense scrutiny from Ofsted. Seventeen interviews were undertaken with staff involved in leadership roles. The analyses of data and discussion form an understanding of how policy is enacted in relation to the dual responsibility that school leaders negotiate between the local context at Seatown and Ofsted.

This paper suggests that Ofsted forces a privileging of a compliant and consistent enactment of policy; a hyper-enactment of policy, that reduces the capacity of school leaders to address the significant social context of the school. Foucault’s work on self-disciplinary technologies provides insight into the micropolitical spaces which open up for some school leaders. The discussion on the micropolitics of compliance and resistance offers insight into the tensions pertinent to school leadership teams and explores issues relevant to those interested in policy and inspection activity, particularly those within areas of deprivation.
Shared governance: a children’s hospital journey to clinical nursing excellence
Authors: Khraisat Omar , Al-awamreh Khetam , Hamdan Mahmoud , AL-Bashtawy Mohammed , khawaldeh Abdullah Al , Alqudah Mohammad , Qaddumi Jamal A. S. , Haliq Samer
Published: March 2020

Background

Shared governance is examined through a framework for developing independent decision making in professional nursing practice and improving patient care outcomes.

Aims

This study is designed to obtain a baseline measurement of the degree of shared governance in a selected children’s hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The study was guided by the Donabedian model. The Professional Nursing Governance Index was used. A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed to nurses working at the hospital, with a response rate of 77% ( n = 307). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis.

Results

The results corresponded with those from nurses and managers in most subscales of the Index of Professional Nursing Governance (information, goals, resources, participation and practice). However, nurses working in the operating theatre and surgical unit have a perceived higher level of shared governance than those in critical care units and medical wards.

Conclusions

The results could encourage shareholders and leaders in the nursing field to develop the perception of shared governance by adopting a shared governance model, which in turn might improve the quality of nursing care .
The Importance of Context in Moral Judgments
Authors: Schein Chelsea
Published: March 2020

There is a gap between morality as experienced and morality as studied. In our personal and professional lives, moral judgments are embedded within a specific context. We know the who, what, where, and when and often can infer the why; we know the broader context of actions; and we may have a specific relationship with the actors. However, scholarly theorizing is often built on inferences from participants’ responses to decontextualized, impoverished stimuli. In our quest for uncovering general psychological truths, moral psychologists have examined evaluations of poorly guarded trolleys, strangers with odd sexual proclivities, and endorsement of abstract principles. The four articles included in this section demonstrate the power of contextualizing morality. In the current article, I place these papers within a broader framework for how scholars can contextualize morality research. I then argue why contextualizing morality matters: not only do contextualized questions better reflect the nuances of reality but also contextualized judgments might be key for improving predictions of moral behavior and understanding moral change.
Multiple miliary osteoma cutis treatment response to Q-switched Nd:YAG laser: A case report
Authors: Barolet Augustin C. , Litvinov Ivan V. , Barolet Daniel
Published: March 2020

Facial multiple miliary osteoma cutis is a variant of osteoma cutis usually occurring in women with a previous history of acne vulgaris. Successful ablative laser treatment has been reported using both CO2 and Er:YAG lasers among other invasive treatment modalities, like surgical removal. We report a patient with biopsy-proven facial multiple miliary osteoma cutis responding to non-ablative Q-switched Nd:YAG laser therapy. The patient had excellent cosmesis without textural changes or hypopigmentation despite her Asian background after three sessions over 6 months. Multiple miliary osteoma cutis is therefore now amenable to non-surgical non-ablative therapy by using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser therapy reducing the risk of textural changes and hypopigmentation, especially in dark complexion and high-risk individuals. To our knowledge, this treatment approach has not been previously reported.
Exploring UK doctors’ attitudes towards online patient feedback: Thematic analysis of survey data
Authors: Turk Amadea , Fleming Joanna , Powell John , Atherton Helen
Published: March 2020

Introduction

Patients are increasingly using online platforms to give feedback about their health-care experiences. Online feedback has been proposed as a way to drive transformative change in the health service through informing choice and improving quality. Attitudes held by health-care professionals influence the uptake of new technologies. Understanding these attitudes is essential in exploring the potential of online patient feedback as a standard feedback mechanism. This study explores the content of free-text comments left by doctors responding to a survey with the aim of understanding their attitudes towards online feedback.

Methods

A cross-sectional online questionnaire was completed by 1001 UK primary and secondary-care doctors. Doctors were given the opportunity to leave a free-text comment about online patient feedback. Doctors’ attitudes towards online patient feedback were identified and explored using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to examine demographic differences between those doctors who left a comment and those who did not.

Results

Thematic analysis identified five key interrelated themes: anonymity, confidentiality, representativeness, moderation/regulation of online feedback and platform type. The characteristics of those leaving a comment very closely matched those of the entire survey sample.

Conclusion

Across the comments, the most prominent finding was a general scepticism and caution towards online feedback, with most of the key themes relating to the perceived limitations and challenges. Further work exploring ways of addressing and verifying online comments without breaching confidentiality could provide valuable information to health systems seeking to drive improvement through patient online feedback.
Out of Sync: Nonverbal Synchrony in Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Asher Maya , Kauffmann Amitay , Aderka Idan M.
Published: March 2020

We examined nonverbal synchrony during opposite-sex interactions of individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Participants were 156 individuals: 38 diagnosed with SAD and 118 individuals who were not socially anxious (NSA). Participants formed 78 dyads of either 2 NSA individuals (control dyads; n = 40) or 1 individual with SAD and 1 NSA individual (SAD dyads; n = 38). Dyads were randomly assigned to either a closeness-generating conversation or a small-talk conversation, and nonverbal synchrony was derived from computer analysis of videos. We found that for control dyads, closeness-generating conversations led to increased nonverbal synchrony compared with small-talk conversations but did not find the same outcome in SAD dyads. We also found a positive association between social anxiety and nonverbal synchrony in small-talk conversations but a negative association in closeness-generating conversations. Thus, we found evidence for impaired nonverbal synchrony in SAD using objective measures. Implications for psychopathology and treatment are discussed.
Factors Influencing Employees’ Perception of Human Resource Practice: A Fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modeling Approach
Authors: Das Sudeep Kumar , Azmi Feza Tabassum , James P. S.
Published: March 2020

In past two decades, researchers have identified many factors, which influence employee’s perception of human resource (HR) practices. How employees perceive HR practice is a strong determinant of both employee’s and organizational outcome. However, how these factors are structured or their relative importance is not so well understood. Without this vital input, it is difficult to deploy scare resource to impact organizational outcome. This research uses fuzzy interpretive structural modeling (Fuzzy ISM) technique to fill this gap. The result will help deploy resources for changing the perception of vital HR practices so as to enhance organizational performance. Demographic dissimilarity of employee with coworker and manager, and quality of manager’s communication were found as the most relevant drivers of employee’s perception of HR practice. The factors having highest driving power are the one which needs to be addressed by Line and HR managers.
Loneliness Among Cognitively Intact Residents of Nursing Homes With and Without Cancer: A 6-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Drageset Jorunn , Eide Geir Egil
Published: March 2020

Limited information exists regarding the natural development of loneliness and its determinants among cognitively intact nursing home residents. We aimed to examine loneliness among nursing home residents by following up for 6 years and to determine whether sociodemographic factors, diagnosis of cancer, sense of coherence, social support, and depression symptoms influence loneliness. The study was longitudinal and prospective and included baseline assessment and 6-year follow-up. After baseline assessment of 227 cognitively intact nursing home residents (Clinical Dementia Rating score ≤0.5), 52 respondents were interviewed a second time at the 5-year follow-up and 18 respondents a third time at the 6-year follow-up. Data from the interviews were recorded using a global question of loneliness, the Social Provisions Scale, Sense of Coherence Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Scores on Groll’s index ( p = .02) and the Sense of Coherence Scale ( p = .04) were positively correlated with loneliness and negatively correlated with geriatric depression ( p = .001). Having a diagnosis of cancer, social support, and age were not correlated with loneliness 6 years from baseline. Loneliness did not change during the 6 years of follow-up, and symptoms of depression and the sense of coherence appeared to be important components of loneliness. Finally, having a diagnosis of cancer and social support were not associated with loneliness.
Capability-wise walkability evaluation as an indicator of urban peripherality
Authors: Blečić Ivan , Cecchini Arnaldo , Congiu Tanja , Fancello Giovanna , Talu Valentina , Trunfio Giuseppe A
Published: March 2020

Urban peripherality is a multidimensional phenomenon, requiring operational tools for analysis and policy design. In this paper, we explore if and how the concept of walkability can be employed as an indicator of peripherality. For this purpose, we employ the capability-wise walkability score (CAWS) to assess neighbourhoods of two case study cities to classify them into four classes (periphery, semi-periphery, semi-core, core). In comparing neighbourhoods on both walkability and a set of neighbourhood-level socioeconomic variables, we argue that walkability should be incorporated as part of a comprehensive framework for the analysis of processes of peripherilisation, since walkability should be seen as one relevant factor of urban capabilities, and hence the lack thereof fits into the definition of urban periphery.
Dosage Adjustments in Patients With Psoriasis on Etanercept: A Retrospective Chart Review
Authors: Lee Erica B. , Thomas Logan W. , Egeberg Alexander , Wu Jashin J.
Published: March 2020

Etanercept, 1 of 11 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved biologics used for the treatment for psoriasis, may often be used at off-label dosages. The aim of this retrospective chart review was to determine the frequency of off-label dosing in a single center and the reasons for these deviations as well as the outcomes. The results of this study demonstrated that nearly two-thirds (64.7%) of patients treated with etanercept had some form of dosage adjustment during their treatment course. Dosage increases were reported most often; all were due to inefficacy of etanercept at the FDA-approved dosing. Interruptions and decreased dosages were reported among 36.4% and 18.2% of patients, respectively. Our study confirms previous data suggesting use of off-label doses of etanercept is commonplace, and a trial of increased etanercept dosing may be worthwhile for biologic-naive patients achieving suboptimal clinical response on standard dosing before switching to another biologic.
Divergent visions: Intersectional water advocacy in Palestine
Authors: McKee Emily
Published: March 2020

This article draws lessons about environmental justice from a case study in the Jordan River Valley of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Building on notions of justice as recognition, the article argues that inclusive environmental justice agendas require the recognition of multiply marginalized groups and the fundamentally different understandings of environmental hazards and benefits they may have, and it proposes the use of intersectional analysis to do so. The village of al-Auja faces severe water-related challenges: a closed Israeli military zone blocking access to the Jordan River, which has also shrunk and grown polluted in recent decades; water wells with declining capacity and increasing salinity and a lack of permits to rehabilitate them; and the drying of a once-perennial spring. Residents, local government officials, and Palestinian staff members of a transborder nongovernmental organization agreed in identifying Israeli occupation as a key cause of water stress and articulated justice-based protests. However, while some emphasized the lack of Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources, others concentrated on the obstruction of villagers’ agricultural livelihoods and household hardships. The article demonstrates that different life experiences, particularly along lines of rural/urban residence, career, and gender, shaped divergent definitions among Palestinians of environmental benefits and harms, and thus different priorities for environmental justice work. It suggests that attending to complex, intersecting lines of social experience in the early stage of environmental campaigns, when defining problems and forming goals for improvement, can lead to more representative reparation plans, institution building, and activist agendas.
Ground motion prediction equation for Taiwan subduction zone earthquakes
Authors: Phung Van-Bang , Loh Chin Hsiung , Chao Shu Hsien , Abrahamson Norman A
Published: March 2020

A ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) is presented for computing the median and standard deviation of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and 5% damped pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) for periods between 0.01 s and 5.0 s for probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) and engineering applications in Taiwan. An integrated strong motion dataset consisting of two subduction earthquake regions was selected from 3314 recordings from Taiwan with M4.5 to M7.1 and 3376 recordings from Japan with M6.5 to M9.1. This dataset was then used to validate, and refit where necessary, the function form provided by Abrahamson et al. for application to Taiwan subduction earthquakes. The proposed model accounts for the extrapolation behaviors associated with the large-magnitude scaling and the near-source scaling terms, both of which were developed empirically by using the combined Taiwan–Japan dataset. The distance attenuation and site term were developed specifically for the Taiwan region. The site term is based on two parameters; the time-averaged shear wave velocity of the top 30 m depth ( VS30) and the depth-to-the-shear wave velocity horizon of 1.0 km/s ( Z1.0).
MKL1 deficiency results in a severe neutrophil motility defect due to impaired actin polymerization
Authors: Sprenkeler Evelien G. G. , Henriet Stefanie S. V. , Tool Anton T. J. , Kreft Iris C. , van der Bijl Ivo , Aarts Cathelijn E. M. , van Houdt Michel , Verkuijlen Paul J. J. H. , van Aerde Koen , Jaspers Gerald , van Heijst Arno , Koole Wouter , Gardeitchik Thatjana , Geissler Judy , de Boer Martin , Tol Simon , Bruggeman Christine W. , van Alphen Floris P. J. , Verhagen Han J. M. P. , van den Akker Emile , Janssen Hans , van Bruggen Robin , van den Berg Timo K. , Liem Kian D. , Kuijpers Taco W.
Published: March 2020

Megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) promotes the regulation of essential cell processes, including actin cytoskeletal dynamics, by coactivating serum response factor. Recently, the first human with MKL1 deficiency, leading to a novel primary immunodeficiency, was identified. We report a second family with 2 siblings with a homozygous frameshift mutation in MKL1. The index case died as an infant from progressive and severe pneumonia caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and poor wound healing. The younger sibling was preemptively transplanted shortly after birth. The immunodeficiency was marked by a pronounced actin polymerization defect and a strongly reduced motility and chemotactic response by MKL1-deficient neutrophils. In addition to the lack of MKL1, subsequent proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of patient neutrophils revealed actin and several actin-related proteins to be downregulated, confirming a role for MKL1 as a transcriptional coregulator. Degranulation was enhanced upon suboptimal neutrophil activation, whereas production of reactive oxygen species was normal. Neutrophil adhesion was intact but without proper spreading. The latter could explain the observed failure in firm adherence and transendothelial migration under flow conditions. No apparent defect in phagocytosis or bacterial killing was found. Also, monocyte-derived macrophages showed intact phagocytosis, and lymphocyte counts and proliferative capacity were normal. Nonhematopoietic primary fibroblasts demonstrated defective differentiation into myofibroblasts but normal migration and F-actin content, most likely as a result of compensatory mechanisms of MKL2, which is not expressed in neutrophils. Our findings extend current insight into the severe immune dysfunction in MKL1 deficiency, with cytoskeletal dysfunction and defective extravasation of neutrophils as the most prominent features.
Properties of common tropical hardwoods for fretboard of string instruments
Authors: Liu Meihong , Peng Limin , Lyu Shaoyi , Lyu Jianxiong
Published: March 2020

Fretboards of string instruments are usually made of rare woods that commonly have a high density, strength, and hardness; further, they are wear resistant, uniform in texture, and feature an elegant color. To reduce the consumption of scarce timber resources, especially of endangered tropical hardwood species, suitable replacement materials should be identified. The substitute can be either common tree species having similar characteristics, or fast-growing plantation wood that has undergone modifications to match the performance of precious woods. This study compares the anatomical structure, physical features, mechanical properties, and surface color of three precious woods traditionally used in fretboards (ebony, Indian rosewood, and African blackwood) against maple, which is used for the backboard, ribs, and necks of string instruments. Based on the data, a set of performance evaluation indices for selecting alternative materials for fretboards is proposed. In specific, the replacement wood should be a diffuse-porous tropical hardwood with few vessels and a smaller diameter, thick fibrous walls, and a cell wall rate of more than 50%. In terms of physical properties, it should have low swelling coefficients for moisture and water absorption, and dimensional stability. The replacement should also display hardness values greater than 9.0 kN in the cross-section and greater than 6.0 kN in the tangential and radial sections. Further, it should have a high modulus of rupture (> 149 MPa) and elasticity (> 14.08 GPa), good impact bending strength, and good wear resistance (80–150 mg/100 r). To satisfy the traditional aesthetics, the wood surface color should be black, dark brown, or dark purple-brown, with colorimetric parameters in the range of 0.0 < L* < 30.0, 0.0 < b* < 6.0, and an a* value as small as possible. The evaluation indicators used for searching potential high-quality alternative tree species are not the same as those for replacing traditional fretboard materials using modified fast-growing plantation wood. The physical and mechanical properties and the surface color of traditional precious fretboard wood are important evaluation indicators for whether the modified fast-growing plantation wood can replace the traditional fretboard wood.
Association between Asian dust exposure and respiratory function in children with bronchial asthma in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Nakamura Takahiro , Nishiwaki Yuji , Hashimoto Kunio , Takeuchi Ayano , Kitajima Tasuku , Komori Kazuhiro , Tashiro Kasumi , Hasunuma Hideki , Ueda Kayo , Shimizu Atsushi , Odajima Hiroshi , Moriuchi Hiroyuki , Hashizume Masahiro
Published: March 2020

Background

Studies on the adverse effects of Asian dust (AD) on respiratory function in children are scarce. The objective of this study was to examine the association between AD and respiratory function by measuring peak expiratory flow rates (PEFRs) in asthmatic children.

Methods

The study was carried out from March to May from 2014 through 2016. One hundred ten children with bronchial asthma were recruited from four hospitals in the Goto Islands and south Nagasaki area in Nagasaki prefecture. The parents were asked to record their children’s PEFRs every morning/evening and clinical symptoms in an asthma diary. AD was assessed from light detection and ranging data, and a linear mixed-effects model was used to estimate the effects of AD on daily PEFR. Time-stratified case-crossover analyses were performed to examine the association between AD and asthma attacks defined by reduction levels in PEFR.

Results

AD was detected on 11 days in the Goto Islands, and on 23 days in the south Nagasaki area. After adjusting for age, sex, temperature, and daily oxidants, we found a consistent association between AD and a 1.1% to 1.7% decrease in PEFR in the mornings and a 0.7% to 1.3% decrease in the evenings at a lag of 0 to 5 days. AD was not associated with the number of asthma attacks, respiratory symptoms, or other symptoms at any lag days examined.

Conclusions

Exposure to AD was associated with reduced PEFR, although the effects were not large enough to induce clinically apparent symptoms, in clinically well-controlled asthmatic children.
Hox genes reveal variations in the genomic DNA of allotetraploid hybrids derived from Carassius auratus red var. (female) × Cyprinus carpio L. (male)
Authors: Zhao Rurong , Wang Yude , Zou Li , Luo Yaxin , Tan Huifang , Yao Jiajun , Zhang Minghe , Liu Shaojun
Published: March 2020

Background

Hoxtranscription factors are master regulators of animal development. Although highly conserved, they can contribute to the formation of novel biological characteristics when modified, such as during the generation of hybrid species, thus potentially serving as species-specific molecular markers.Here, we systematically studied the evolution of genomic sequences ofHoxloci in an artificial allotetraploid lineage (4nAT, 4n = 200) derived from a red crucian carp (♀, RCC, 2n = 100) × common carp (♂, CC, 2n = 100) cross and its parents (RCC and CC).

Results

PCR amplification yielded 23 distinctHoxgene fragments from 160 clones in 4nAT, 22 fragments from 90 clones in RCC, and 19 fragments from 90 clones in CC. Sequence alignment of theHoxA3aandHoxC10agenes indicated both the inheritance and loss of paternal genomic DNA in 4nAT. TheHoxA5agene from 4nAT consisted of two subtypes from RCC and two subtypes from CC, indicating that homologous recombination occurred in the 4nAT hybrid genome. Moreover, 4nAT carried genomic pseudogenization in theHoxA10bandHoxC13aloci. Interestingly, a new type ofHoxC9agene was found in 4nAT as a hybrid sequence of CC and RCC by recombination in the intronic region.

Conclusion

The results revealed the influence ofHoxgenes during polyploidization in hybrid fish. The data provided insight into the evolution of vertebrate genomes and might be benefit for artificial breeding programs.
Genome-wide analysis reveals molecular convergence underlying domestication in 7 bird and mammals
Authors: Hou Yali , Qi Furong , Bai Xue , Ren Tong , Shen Xu , Chu Qin , Zhang Xiquan , Lu Xuemei
Published: March 2020

Background

In response to ecological niche of domestication, domesticated mammals and birds developed adaptively phenotypic homoplasy in behavior modifications like fearlessness, altered sociability, exploration and cognition, which partly or indirectly result in consequences for economic productivity. Such independent adaptations provide an excellent model to investigate molecular mechanisms and patterns of evolutionary convergence driven by artificial selection.

Results

First performing population genomic and brain transcriptional comparisons in 68 wild and domesticated chickens, we revealed evolutionary trajectories, genetic architectures and physiologic bases of adaptively behavioral alterations. To extensively decipher molecular convergence on behavioral changes thanks to domestication, we investigated selection signatures in hundreds of genomes and brain transcriptomes across chicken and 6 other domesticated mammals. Although no shared substitution was detected, a common enrichment of the adaptive mutations in regulatory sequences was observed, presenting significance to drive adaptations. Strong convergent pattern emerged at levels of gene, gene family, pathway and network. Genes implicated in neurotransmission, semaphorin, tectonic protein and modules regulating neuroplasticity were central focus of selection, supporting molecular repeatability of homoplastic behavior reshapes. Genes at nodal positions in trans-regulatory networks were preferably targeted. Consistent down-regulation of majority brain genes may be correlated with reduced brain size during domestication. Up-regulation of splicesome genes in chicken rather mammals highlights splicing as an efficient way to evolve since avian-specific genomic contraction of introns and intergenics. Genetic burden of domestication elicits a general hallmark. The commonly selected genes were relatively evolutionary conserved and associated with analogous neuropsychiatric disorders in human, revealing trade-off between adaption to life with human at the cost of neural changes affecting fitness in wild.

Conclusions

After a comprehensive investigation on genomic diversity and evolutionary trajectories in chickens, we revealed basis, pattern and evolutionary significance of molecular convergence in domesticated bird and mammals, highlighted the genetic basis of a compromise on utmost adaptation to the lives with human at the cost of high risk of neurophysiological changes affecting animals’ fitness in wild.
Oral rinses in growth inhibition and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection
Authors: Kashyap Dharmendra , Baral Budhadev , Verma Tarun Prakash , Sonkar Charu , Chatterji Debi , Jain Ajay Kumar , Jha Hem C.
Published: March 2020

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is well-known for its role in chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. Eradication of these carcinogenic bacteria from the gut is one of the challenges for clinicians. The complexity of treatment mainly owes to antibiotic resistance and relapse due to an additional reservoir in the oral cavity. Our study emphases the isolation of H. pylori from distinct habitats of the gut microenvironment (gastric biopsy and gastric juice) and its subsequent characterization. We have also evaluated the effect of various oral rinses on isolated H. pylori from different anatomical locations of included subjects.

Results

The possible strains isolated from two different habitats of the same subject shows a striking difference in their growth pattern. Promisingly, some of the included oral rinses are efficient in growth inhibition as per recommended 30 s treatment. The subsequent evaluation shows that oral rinse B (among A-E) is most effective and down-regulates the expression of one of the potent H. pylori gene, CagA, in the infected gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells.

Conclusion

Our study, for the first time, revealed that H. pylori, isolated from the different habitat of the same subject, show a different growth pattern. The expression of H. pylori pathogenic gene (CagA) was down-regulated by the use of oral rinses. Hence, oral rinses will reduce the H. pylori in the oral cavity and help to control its migration from oral to the gastric compartment and may be used as an adjuvant treatment option for its re-infection.
Identification of tissue-specific and cold-responsive lncRNAs in Medicago truncatula by high-throughput RNA sequencing
Authors: Zhao Mingui , Wang Tianzuo , Sun Tianyang , Yu Xiaoxi , Tian Rui , Zhang Wen-Hao
Published: March 2020

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the regulation of plant responses to environmental stress by acting as essential regulators of gene expression. However, whether and how lncRNAs are involved in cold acclimation-dependent freezing tolerance in plants remains largely unknown. Medicago truncatula is a prominent model for studies of legume genomics, and distinguished by its cold-acclimation characteristics. To determine the roles of lncRNAs in plant cold stress response, we conducted genome-wide high-throughput sequencing in the legume model plant M. truncatula.

Results

RNA-seq data were generated from twelve samples for the four treatments, i.e., non-cold treated leaves and roots, cold-treated leaves and roots of M. truncatula Jemalong A17 seedlings. A total of 1204 million raw reads were generated. Of them, 1150 million filtered reads after quality control (QC) were subjected to downstream analysis. A large number of 24,368 unique lncRNAs were identified from the twelve samples. Among these lncRNAs, 983 and 1288 were responsive to cold treatment in the leaves and roots, respectively. We further found that the intronic-lncRNAs were most sensitive to the cold treatment. The cold-responsive lncRNAs were unevenly distributed across the eight chromosomes in M. truncatula seedlings with obvious preferences for locations. Further analyses revealed that the cold-responsive lncRNAs differed between leaves and roots. The putative target genes of the lncRNAs were predicted to mainly involve the processes of protein translation, transport, metabolism and nucleic acid transcription. Furthermore, the networks of a tandem array of CBF/DREB1 genes that were reported to be located in a major freezing tolerance QTL region on chromosome 6 and their related lncRNAs were dissected based on their gene expression and chromosome location.

Conclusions

We identified a comprehensive set of lncRNAs that were responsive to cold treatment in M. truncatula seedlings, and discovered tissue-specific cold-responsive lncRNAs in leaves and roots. We further dissected potential regulatory networks of CBF Intergenic RNA (MtCIR1) and MtCBFs that play critical roles in response and adaptation of M. truncatula to cold stress.
A transcriptomic view of the ability of nascent hexaploid wheat to tolerate aneuploidy
Authors: Zeng Deying , Guan Jiantao , Luo Jiangtao , Zhao Laibin , Li Yazhou , Chen Wenshuai , Zhang Lianquan , Ning Shunzong , Yuan Zhongwei , Li Aili , Zheng Youliang , Mao Long , Liu Dengcai , Hao Ming
Published: March 2020

Background

In contrast to most animal species, polyploid plant species are quite tolerant of aneuploidy. Here, the global transcriptome of four aneuploid derivatives of a synthetic hexaploid wheat line was acquired, with the goal of characterizing the relationship between gene copy number and transcript abundance.

Results

For most of the genes mapped to the chromosome involved in aneuploidy, the abundance of transcripts reflected the gene copy number. Aneuploidy had a greater effect on the strength of transcription of genes mapped to the chromosome present in a noneuploid dose than on that of genes mapped elsewhere in the genome. Overall, changing the copy number of one member of a homeologous set had little effect on the abundance of transcripts generated from the set of homeologs as a whole, consistent with the tolerance of aneuploidy exhibited by allopolyploids, whether in the form of a chromosomal deficit (monosomy) or chromosomal excess (trisomy).

Conclusions

Our findings shed new light on the genetic regulation of homeoallele transcription and contribute to a deeper understanding of allopolyploid genome evolution, with implications for the breeding of polyploid crops.
Unique miRNAs and their targets in tomato leaf responding to combined drought and heat stress
Authors: Zhou Rong , Yu Xiaqing , Ottosen Carl-Otto , Zhang Tingling , Wu Zhen , Zhao Tongmin
Published: March 2020

Background

Both drought and heat stress are serious global problems, leading to agricultural production loss. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in plant species responding to individual drought and heat stress. However, the miRNAs and mRNAs in association with combined drought and heat in crops like tomato remains unclear.

Results

We studied the crosstalk of miRNAs and their target genes in tomato plants grown under simultaneous drought and heat stress that frequently happen in field conditions. In total, 335 known miRNAs representing 55 miRNA families and 430 potential novel miRNAs were identified in Solanum lycopersicum L. using small RNA deep sequencing. Through expression analysis, miRNAs in association with drought, heat and the combination of these were investigated. In total, 61, 74 and 37 miRNAs were differentially regulated for combination (of both stresses) vs control, combination vs drought and combination vs heat, respectively. Target genes with different expression levels were found using degradome sequencing, which were mainly involved in transcription factor activity, sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription, regulation of transcription, nucleus, DNA binding etc. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results confirmed the accuracy of sequencing.

Conclusions

Our study serves as valuable knowledge on how crop adapted to combined drought and heat stress by regulating miRNAs and mRNAs, which provide information for crop improvement to deal with future climate changes.
Access to reperfusion therapy and mortality outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction under universal health coverage in Thailand
Authors: Limwattananon Chulaporn , Jaratpatthararoj Jiraphan , Thungthong Jutatip , Limwattananon Phumtham , Kitkhuandee Amnat
Published: March 2020

Background

Evidence on access to reperfusion therapy for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and associated mortality in developing countries is scarce. This study determined time trends in the nationally aggregated reperfusion and mortality, examined distribution of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) utilization across provinces, and assessed the reperfusion-mortality association in Thailand that achieved universal health coverage in 2002.

Methods

Data on hospitalization with STEMI in 2011–2017 of 69,031 Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) beneficiaries were used for estimating changes in the national aggregates of % reperfusion and mortality by a time-series analysis. Geographic distribution of PCI-capable hospitals and PCI recipients was illustrated per provinces. The reperfusion-mortality association was determined using the propensity-score matching of individual patients and panel data analysis at the hospital level. The exposure is a presence of PCI or thrombolysis. Outcomes are all-cause mortality within 30 and 180 days after an index hospitalization.

Results

In 2011–2017, the PCI recipients increased annually 5.7 percentage (%) points and thrombolysis-only recipients decreased 2.2% points. The 30-day and 180-day mortalities respectively decreased annually 0.20 and 0.27% points among the PCI recipients, and they increased 0.79 and 0.59% points among the patients receiving no reperfusion over the same period. Outside Bangkok, the provinces with more than half of the patients receiving PCI increased from 4 provinces of PCI-capable hospitals in 2011 to 37 provinces, which included the neighboring provinces of the PCI-capable hospitals in 2017. Patients undergoing reperfusion had lower 30-day and 180-day mortalities respectively by 19.6 and 21.1% points for PCI, and by 14.1 and 15.1% points for thrombolysis only as compared with no reperfusion. The use of PCI was associated with decreases in 30-day and 180-day mortalities similarly by 5.4–5.5% points as compared with thrombolysis only. A hospital with 1% higher in the recipients of PCI had lower mortalities within 30 and 180 days by approximately 0.21 and 0.20%, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients with STEMI in Thailand experienced increasing PCI access and the use of PCI was associated with lower mortality compared with thrombolysis only. This is an evidence of progress toward a universal coverage of high-cost and effective health care.
Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus among antenatal clinic attendees in Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Authors: Mustapha Garba Umar , Ibrahim Abdulrasul , Balogun Muhammad Shakir , Umeokonkwo Chukwuma David , Mamman Aisha Indo
Published: March 2020

Background

Hepatitis B virus disease is a potentially life-threatening liver infection and a major global health problem. It causes chronic infection and puts people at high risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. WHO estimated 257 million people are living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and in 2015 alone HBV resulted in to 887,000 deaths globally. We determined the prevalence and associated factors of hepatitis B virus infection among Antenatal Care (ANC) attendees in Gamawa Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional, health facility-based study between March and April 2018. We used systematic random sampling technique to recruit 210 pregnant women aged 15–49 years. With a structured questionnaire, we interviewed the respondents and collected blood sample to test for hepatitis B surface antigen. We calculated frequencies, means, proportions, and tested for associations using Epi Info 7.2 and Microsoft Excel.

Results

The mean age of respondents was 24.5 ± 6.0 years; 112 (53%) of whom were younger than 25 years. All were married, 183 (87%) had no formal education and up to 190 (90%) were employed. Overall, 14 (6.7%) tested positive for HBsAg; women aged ≥35 years had the highest prevalence (10%). None with tertiary education tested positive and women married before 18 years had 13 (6.2%) prevalence.

Conclusions

The prevalence of HBsAg among pregnant women in Gamawa LGA was 6.7% which is quite lower than the national prevalence reported. We recommended improved surveillance of HBV infection and screening of women attending ANC.
Risk factors for HIV infection among married couples in Rakai, Uganda: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nabukenya Anne M. , Nambuusi Aminah , Matovu Joseph K. B.
Published: March 2020

Background

Although married couples can be at an elevated risk of HIV infection, few studies have explored the risk factors for HIV infection at the couple-level. We explored the risk factors for HIV infection among married couples in settings with differing HIV prevalence levels in Rakai, Uganda.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 664 heterosexual couples living in three HIV prevalence strata (low: 9–11.2%; medium: 11.4–20% or high HIV prevalence: 21–43%) in Rakai District, south-western Uganda, between November 2013 and February 2014. Data were collected on socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics from all consenting adults and aggregated to allow for couple-level analyses. We conducted bivariate and multivariable Logistic regression to assess the factors that were independently associated with HIV infection among married couples. Data were analysed using STATA statistical software (version 14.1).

Results

Of the 664 couples, 6.4% (n = 42) were in HIV-discordant relationships; 5.8% (n = 39) were in concordant HIV-positive relationships while 87.8% (n = 583) were in concordant HIV-negative relationships. At the bivariate analysis, we found that residing in a high HIV prevalence stratum, reporting extra-marital relations, age difference between partners and number of previous marriages were significantly associated with being part of an HIV infected couple. After adjusting for potential cofounders, living in a high HIV prevalence stratum (Adjusted OR [AOR] =2.31, 95% CI: 1.52, 3.52), being in a third or higher order relationship (AOR = 3.80, 95% CI: 2.30, 6.28), and engagement in extra-marital relations (AOR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.19, 2.59) were associated with couple HIV infection. Individuals that had stayed together for six or more years had 28% odds of being part of an HIV infected couple (AOR = 0.28; 95%CI: 0.18, 0.43).

Conclusion

Living in a high HIV prevalence stratum, engagement in extra-marital relations and having a higher number of previous marriages were significant risk factors for HIV infection among married couples. Long marital duration was associated with reduced risk of HIV infection. Interventions that increase marital stability and those that promote pre-marital couples’ HIV testing before marital formation can reduce HIV transmission risk among married couples in this setting.
Disseminated melioidosis in early pregnancy - an unproven cause of foetal loss
Authors: Chang Chee Yik , Lau Nina Lee Jing , Currie Bart J. , Podin Yuwana
Published: March 2020

Background

Melioidosis is a potentially life-threatening infection caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis is difficult to diagnose due to its diverse clinical manifestations, which often delays administration of appropriate antibiotic therapy.

Case presentation

Melioidosis is uncommon in pregnancy but both spontaneous abortion and neonatal melioidosis have been reported. We report a case of bacteraemic melioidosis in a young woman with a subsequent spontaneous abortion, with B. pseudomallei cultured from a high vaginal swab as well as blood.

Conclusion

It remains unclear in this and previously reported cases as to whether the maternal melioidosis was sexually transmitted.
Through service providers’ eyes: health systems factors affecting implementation of tuberculosis control in Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Ogbuabor Daniel Chukwuemeka
Published: March 2020

Background

Well-functioning health systems are essential to achieving global and national tuberculosis (TB) control targets. This study examined health system factors affecting implementation of TB control programme from the perspectives of service providers.

Methods

The study was conducted in Enugu State, South-eastern Nigeria using qualitative, cross-sectional design involving 23 TB service providers (13 district TB supervisors and 10 facility TB focal persons). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews using a health system dynamic framework and analysed thematically.

Results

Stewardship from National TB Control Programme (NTP) improved governance of TB control, but stewardship from local government was weak. Government spending on TB control was inadequate, whereas donors fund TB control. Poor human resources management practices hindered TB service delivery. TB service providers have poor capacity for data management because changes in recording and reporting tools were not matched with training of service providers. Drugs and other supplies to TB treatment centres were interrupted despite the use of a logistics agency. Poor integration of TB into general health services, weak laboratory capacity, withdrawal of subsidies to community volunteers and patent medicine vendors, poorly funded patient tracking systems, and ineffectual TB/HIV collaboration resulted in weak organisation of TB service delivery.

Conclusion

Health systems strengthening for TB control service must focus on effective oversight from NTP and local health system; predictable domestic resource mobilisation through budgets and social health insurance; training and incentives to attract and retain TB service providers; effective supply and TB drug management; and improvements in organization of service delivery.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance 4D flow analysis has a higher diagnostic yield than Doppler echocardiography for detecting increased pulmonary artery pressure
Authors: Ramos Joao G. , Fyrdahl Alexander , Wieslander Björn , Reiter Gert , Reiter Ursula , Jin Ning , Maret Eva , Eriksson Maria , Caidahl Kenneth , Sörensson Peder , Sigfridsson Andreas , Ugander Martin
Published: March 2020

Background

Pulmonary hypertension is definitively diagnosed by the measurement of mean pulmonary artery (PA) pressure (mPAP) using right heart catheterization. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) four-dimensional (4D) flow analysis can estimate mPAP from blood flow vortex duration in the PA, with excellent results. Moreover, the peak systolic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) pressure gradient (TRPG) measured by Doppler echocardiography is commonly used in clinical routine to estimate systolic PA pressure. This study aimed to compare CMR and echocardiography with regards to quantitative and categorical agreement, and diagnostic yield for detecting increased PA pressure.

Methods

Consecutive clinically referred patients (n = 60, median [interquartile range] age 60 [48–68] years, 33% female) underwent echocardiography and CMR at 1.5 T (n = 43) or 3 T (n = 17). PA vortex duration was used to estimate mPAP using a commercially available time-resolved multiple 2D slice phase contrast three-directional velocity encoded sequence covering the main PA. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography was performed to measure TR and derive TRPG. Diagnostic yield was defined as the fraction of cases in which CMR or echocardiography detected an increased PA pressure, defined as vortex duration ≥15% of the cardiac cycle (mPAP ≥25 mmHg) or TR velocity > 2.8 m/s (TRPG > 31 mmHg).

Results

Both CMR and echocardiography showed normal PA pressure in 39/60 (65%) patients and increased PA pressure in 9/60 (15%) patients, overall agreement in 48/60 (80%) patients, kappa 0.49 (95% confidence interval 0.27–0.71). CMR had a higher diagnostic yield for detecting increased PA pressure compared to echocardiography (21/60 (35%) vs 9/60 (15%), p < 0.001). In cases with both an observable PA vortex and measurable TR velocity (34/60, 56%), TRPG was correlated with mPAP (R2 = 0.65, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

There is good quantitative and fair categorical agreement between estimated mPAP from CMR and TRPG from echocardiography. CMR has higher diagnostic yield for detecting increased PA pressure compared to echocardiography, potentially due to a lower sensitivity of echocardiography in detecting increased PA pressure compared to CMR, related to limitations in the ability to adequately visualize and measure the TR jet by echocardiography. Future comparison between echocardiography, CMR and invasive measurements are justified to definitively confirm these findings.