bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the effectiveness of a large multi‐use MPA in protecting Key Biodiversity Areas for marine predators
Authors: Handley Jonathan M. , Pearmain Elizabeth J. , Oppel Steffen , Carneiro Ana P. B. , Hazin Carolina , Phillips Richard A. , Ratcliffe Norman , Staniland Iain J. , Clay Thomas A. , Hall Jonathan , Scheffer Annette , Fedak Mike , Boehme Lars , Pütz Klemens , Belchier Mark , Boyd Ian L. , Trathan Phil N. , Dias Maria P.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Marine protected areas can serve to regulate harvesting and conserve biodiversity. Within large multi‐use MPAs, it is often unclear to what degree critical sites of biodiversity are afforded protection against commercial activities. Addressing this issue is a prerequisite if we are to appropriately assess sites against conservation targets. We evaluated whether the management regime of a large MPA conserved sites (Key Biodiversity Areas, KBAs) supporting the global persistence of top marine predators.

Location

Southwest Atlantic Ocean.

Method

We collated population and tracking data (1,418 tracks) from 14 marine predator species (Procellariiformes, Sphenisciformes, Pinnipedia) that breed at South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and identified hotspots for their conservation under the recently developed KBA framework. We then evaluated the spatiotemporal overlap of these sites and the different management regimes of krill, demersal longline and pelagic trawl fisheries operating within a large MPA, which was created with the intention to protect marine predator species.

Results

We identified 12 new global marine KBAs that are important for this community of top predators, both within and beyond the focal MPA. Only three species consistently used marine areas at a time when a potentially higher‐risk fishery was allowed to operate in that area, while other interactions between fisheries and our target species were mostly precluded by MPA management plans.

Main conclusions

We show that current fishery management measures within the MPA contribute to protecting top predators considered in this study and that resource harvesting within the MPA does not pose a major threat—under current climate conditions. Unregulated fisheries beyond the MPA, however, pose a likely threat to identified KBAs. Our approach demonstrates the utility of the KBA guidelines and multispecies tracking data to assess the contributing role of well‐designed MPAs in achieving local and internationally agreed conservation targets.
Cardiovascular protection with sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors in type 2 diabetes: Does it apply to all patients?
Authors: Giorgino Francesco , Vora Jiten , Fenici Peter , Solini Anna
Published: April 2020

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular risk in these patients should be considered as a continuum, and comprehensive treatment strategies should aim to target multiple disease risk factors. Large‐scale clinical trials of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have shown an impact on cardiovascular outcomes, including heart failure hospitalization and cardiovascular death, which appears to be independent of their glucose‐lowering efficacy. Reductions in major cardiovascular events appear to be greatest in patients with established CVD, particularly those with prior myocardial infarction, but are independent of heart failure or renal risk. Most large‐scale trials of SGLT2 inhibitors predominantly include patients with T2D with pre‐existing CVD and high cardiovascular risk at baseline, limiting their applicability to patients typically observed in clinical practice. Real‐world evidence from observational studies suggests that there might also be beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibitors on heart failure hospitalization and all‐cause mortality in various cohorts of lower risk patients. The most common adverse events reported in clinical and observational studies are genital infections; however, the overall risk of these events appears to be low and easily managed. Similar safety profiles have been reported for elderly and younger patients. There is still some debate regarding the safety of canagliflozin in patients at high risk of fracture and amputation. Outstanding questions include specific patterns of cardiovascular protection according to baseline risk.
Prevalence and risk factors of fatty liver in Portuguese adults
Authors: Leitão Jorge , Carvalhana Sofia , Cochicho Joana , Silva Ana Paula , Velasco Francisco , Medeiros Isabel , Alves Ana Catarina , Bourbon Mafalda , Oliveiros Bárbara , Rodrigues Vitor , Sousa Rita , Sampaio Filipa , Carvalho Armando , Cortez‐Pinto Helena
Published: April 2020

Background

Prevalence of fatty liver (FL) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) depends mainly on obesity, diabetes and genetic factors. FL and NAFLD prevalence was evaluated in Portuguese adult population and correlated with several risk factors and related mortality data, within the same period.

Materials and methods

A cross‐sectional, population‐based multicenter study, voluntary and randomly selected in 834 Portuguese adults (18‐79 years). Participants were evaluated after 12‐hour fasting. Anthropometric data, past history including alcohol consumption, and associated diseases were registered. Blood samples were collected for biochemical testing. Dietary intake was evaluated using a semi‐quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Presence of FL was evaluated using ultrasound, and NAFLD was diagnosed after exclusion of other causes for liver disease.

Results

Adjusted prevalence of FL and NAFLD was 37.8% and 17.0%, respectively. FL individuals were older, more frequently males, with increased probability of having obesity, diabetes or harmful alcohol consumption (HAC). NAFLD individuals were also older, but had a similar sex distribution and an increased probability of obesity and diabetes. In both groups, no differences were found regarding dietary pattern or physical activity. During the same time period, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) liver‐related deaths in Portugal were 0.105/100 000, while alcohol‐related liver disease mortality was 6.790/100 000.

Conclusion

The large spectrum of FL was present in more than one third of the population, although only less than half could be classified as NAFLD. Other significant risk factors, such as HAC, are probably implicated in FL, explaining the low NASH‐related mortality compared with the high alcohol‐related mortality during the same time period.
Cost‐effectiveness of Anti‐CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T‐Cell therapy in pediatric relapsed/refractory B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A societal view
Authors: Thielen Frederick W. , van Dongen‐Leunis Annemieke , Arons Alexander M. M. , Ladestein Judith R. , Hoogerbrugge Peter M. , Uyl‐de Groot Carin A.
Published: April 2020

Introduction

In several studies, the chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy tisagenlecleucel demonstrated encouraging rates of remission and lasting survival benefits in pediatric patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We assessed the cost‐effectiveness of tisagenlecleucel (list price: 320 000 EUR) among these patients when compared to clofarabine monotherapy (Clo‐M), clofarabine combination therapy (Clo‐C), and blinatumomab (Blina) from both a healthcare and a societal perspective. We also assessed future medical and future non‐medical consumption costs.

Methods

A three‐state partitioned survival model was used to simulate a cohort of pediatric patients (12 years of age) through different disease states until the end of life (lifetime horizon). Relevant outcomes were life years, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), healthcare costs, societal costs, and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER). Uncertainty was explored through deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses as well as through several scenario analyzes.

Results

Total discounted costs for tisagenlecleucel were 552 679 EUR from a societal perspective, which was much higher than the total discounted costs from a healthcare perspective (ie, 409 563 EUR). Total discounted societal costs for the comparator regimens ranged between 160 803 EUR for Clo‐M and 267 259 EUR for Blina. Highest QALYs were estimated for tisagenlecleucel (11.26), followed by Blina (2.25), Clo‐C (1.70) and Clo‐M (0.74). Discounted societal ICERs of tisagenlecleucel ranged between 31 682 EUR/QALY for Blina and 37 531 EUR/QALY for Clo‐C and were considered cost‐effective with a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold of 80 000 EUR/QALY. None of the scenarios exceeded this threshold, and more than 98% of the iterations in the probabilistic sensitivity analysis were cost‐effective.

Discussion

At the current price and WTP threshold, tisagenlecleucel is cost‐effective from both a healthcare and a societal perspective. Nevertheless, long‐term effectiveness data are needed to validate the several assumptions that were necessary for this model.
Enforcing social norms: The morality of public shaming
Authors: Billingham Paul , Parr Tom
Published: April 2020

Public shaming plays an important role in upholding valuable social norms. But, under what conditions, if any, is it morally justifiable? Our aim in this paper is systemically to investigate the morality of public shaming, so as to provide an answer to this neglected question. We develop an overarching framework for assessing the justifiability of this practice, which shows that, while shaming can sometimes be morally justifiable, it very often is not. In turn, our framework highlights several reasons to be concerned about the increasingly widespread phenomenon of online public shaming.
Grain Size Analysis and Permeametry for Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity in Engineered Porous Media
Authors: Cormican Allison , Devlin J.F. , Divine Craig
Published: April 2020

Grain size analysis and permeametry are common methods for estimating the hydraulic conductivity (K) of porous media. It is well known that these methods have limited accuracy when they are used to characterize natural sediments. However, hydrogeological research has increasingly introduced technologies dependent on engineered porous media that may be less problematic because complex geologic structures are eliminated in the lab and field‐scale packings. The recently introduced Horizontal Reactive Media Treatment Wells (HRX® Wells), for in situ, passive remediation of groundwater is one such example. The HRX Well passively collects groundwater and directs it through a horizontal pipe packed with an engineered porous medium. In this project, grain size analysis was conducted for sand and sand‐iron mixtures to estimate K using the 16 algorithms provided in the HydrogeoSieveXL2.3.2 software. The results were compared to K determined by permeametry and a field‐scale column, 30 cm long and 25 cm in diameter, representing an HRX Well. The best comparability of K estimates from grain size analysis and permeametry were obtained using the USBR, Slichter, and Shepherd K estimation methods. These also showed good agreement between lab‐scale and field‐scale K estimations, with reproducibility within the range ±20%. This study shows that laboratory K estimations can be representative across various relevant scales, including the field‐scale, for engineered porous media. This finding extends to filter packs, and other engineered porous media design methods by emphasizing and demonstrating one case of accuracy in lab‐scale permeability estimation for field‐scale implementations.
Detection of phases in Fe‐doped YSZ by XRD and Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Satardekar Pradnyesh , Naik Kiran , Sglavo Vincenzo M.
Published: April 2020

Samples of 8 mol% Y2O3‐stabilized ZrO2 (8YSZ) doped with Fe were prepared and sintered at 1350°C in air or argon atmosphere. The sintered samples were characterized by SEM, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy. Raman spectroscopy and XRD were found to complement each other in phase identification; all the sintered samples were shown to possess tetragonal phase (t”) whose axial ratio (c/a) is equal to 1 in the cubic matrix. The Raman peak at 616 cm−1, in general, was seen to broaden with increase in Fe concentration for both sintering atmospheres.
Sex differences in metabolic syndrome components in adolescent military dependents at high‐risk for adult obesity
Authors: Shank Lisa M. , Higgins Neyland M. Katy , Lavender Jason M. , Schindler Rachel , Solomon Senait , Hennigan Kathrin , Leu William , Schvey Natasha A. , Sbrocco Tracy , Jorgensen Sarah , Stephens Mark , Olsen Cara H. , Haigney Mark , Klein David A. , Quinlan Jeffrey , Yanovski Jack A. , Tanofsky‐Kraff Marian
Published: April 2020

Background

Metabolic syndrome in adolescence has been associated with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in adulthood. Preliminary data suggest that boys may have worsened metabolic syndrome components compared to girls. Yet, little is known about the physical health of military dependents, a potentially at‐risk population.

Objective

Examine sex differences in metabolic syndrome components in a sample of adolescent military dependents.

Methods

Participants were adolescents (N = 139; 14.4 ± 1.6 years; 45.3% male; 41.0% non‐Hispanic White, 19.4% non‐Hispanic Black; BMI‐z: 1.9 ± 0.4) at‐risk for adult obesity and binge‐eating disorder due to an age‐ and sex‐adjusted BMI ≥85th percentile and loss‐of‐control eating and/or elevated anxiety. A multivariate analysis of covariance was conducted to compare objectively measured metabolic syndrome components across boys and girls. Covariates were age, race, loss‐of‐control eating status, anxiety symptoms, and BMI‐z.

Results

Metabolic syndrome components differed by sex (P = .01). Boys had higher systolic blood pressure (P = .049), lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = .01), and higher glucose (P = .001) than girls. Waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and triglycerides did not differ between boys and girls (P > .05).

Conclusions

Future research should prospectively examine these relationships into adulthood. If the current findings are supported, prevention programs should consider targeting cardiometabolic health particularly among male adolescent military dependents.
Prospective clinical study on the efficacy of bacterial removal with mechanical debridement in and around chronic leg ulcers assessed with fluorescence imaging
Authors: Moelleken Maurice , Jockenhöfer Finja , Benson Sven , Dissemond Joachim
Published: April 2020

Bacterial colonisation in wounds delays healing, mandating regular bacterial removal through cleaning and debridement. Real‐time monitoring of the efficacy of mechanical debridement has recently become possible through fluorescence imaging. Red fluorescence, endogenously produced during bacterial metabolism, indicates regions contaminated with live bacteria (>104 CFU/g). In this prospective study, conventional and fluorescence photos were taken of 25 venous leg ulcers before and after mechanical debridement, without use of antiseptics. Images were digitally segmented into wound bed and the periwound regions (up to 1.5 cm outside bed) and pixel intensity of red fluorescence evaluated to compute bacterial area. Pre‐debridement, bacterial fluorescence comprised 10.4% of wound beds and larger percentages of the periwound area (~25%). Average bacterial reduction observed in the wound bed after a single mechanical debridement was 99.4% (p<0.001), yet periwound bacterial reduction was only 64.3%. On average, across bed and periwound, a single mechanical debridement left behind 29% of bacterial fluorescence positive tissue regions. Our results show the substantial effect that safe, inexpensive, mechanical debridement can have on bacterial load of venous ulcers without antiseptic use. Fluorescence imaging can localise bacterial colonised areas and showed persistent periwound bacteria post‐debridement. Fluorescence‐targeted debridement can be used quickly and easily in daily practice.
PredyCLU: A prediction system for chronic leg ulcers based on fuzzy logic; part II—Exploring the arterial side
Authors: Serra Raffaele , Bracale Umberto M. , Barbetta Andrea , Ielapi Nicola , Licastro Noemi , Gallo Alessandro , Fregola Salvatore , Turchino Davide , Gasbarro Vincenzo , Mastroroberto Pasquale , de Franciscis Stefano
Published: April 2020

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and its most severe form, critical limb ischaemia (CLI), are very common clinical conditions related to atherosclerosis and represent the major causes of morbidity, mortality, disability, and reduced quality of life (QoL), especially for the onset of ischaemic chronic leg ulcers (ICLUs) and the subsequent need of amputation in affected patients. Early identification of patients at risk of developing ICLUs may represent the best form of prevention and appropriate management. In this study, we used a Prediction System for Chronic Leg Ulcers (PredyCLU) based on fuzzy logic applied to patients with PAD. The patient population consisted of 80 patients with PAD, of which 40 patients (30 males [75%] and 10 females [25%]; mean age 66.18 years; median age 67.50 years) had ICLUs and represented the case group. Forty patients (100%) (27 males [67.50%] and 13 females [32.50%]; mean age 66.43 years; median age 66.50 years) did not have ICLUs and represented the control group. In patients of the case group, the higher was the risk calculated with the PredyCLU the more severe were the clinical manifestations recorded. In this study, the PredyCLU algorithm was retrospectively applied on a multicentre population of 80 patients with PAD. The PredyCLU algorithm provided a reliable risk score for the risk of ICLUs in patients with PAD.
Autologous platelet‐rich plasma injection enhances healing of chronic venous leg ulcer: A prospective randomised study
Authors: Elbarbary Ahmed H. , Hassan Hassan A. , Elbendak Elsayed A.
Published: April 2020

Our aim was to compare the efficacy and safety of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) application versus PRP injection for chronic venous leg ulcer (VLU) healing compared with compression therapy as a control. From July 2018 to December 2019, 90 chronic VLU patients were randomly assigned to PRP dressings (n = 30), local PRP injections (n = 30), and compression therapy alone (n = 30). Standard compression accompanied both PRP groups. The main endpoints were ulcer healing and area reduction within 3, 6, and 12 months. Complications and ulcer recurrence were also recorded. The study included 72 (80.0%) males and 18 (20.0%) females aged 22 to 66 years, having VLUs for 1 to 11 years. PRP injection promoted healing (24/30, 80%) more than PRP application (20/30, 66.7%) and compression (14/30, 46.7%), P = .007. Healing time was significantly shorter after PRP injection compared with the other two groups. A greater area reduction was observed after PRP injection compared with compression at all follow‐up visits, P = .013, .002, and < .001, and compared with PRP application only at 3 months post‐treatment, P = .016. Recurrence and complications were comparable among the groups. PRP injection enhances the healing of chronic venous ulcers more than each of PRP application and compression therapy. All had comparable recurrence and safety.
Prevalence of acute and chronic wounds – with emphasis on pressure ulcers – in integrated continuing care units in Alentejo, Portugal
Authors: Furtado Kátia A. X. , Infante Paulo , Sobral Ana , Gaspar Pedro , Eliseu Graça , Lopes Manuel
Published: April 2020

The aim of the study was to describe the prevalence and general characteristics of acute and chronic wounds in 2018 in Alentejo (Portugal) continuing care units. In order to look at associations, wound characteristics studied were location, type, place of acquisition, number, and duration, and patient characteristics were sex, age, and presence of risk factors. During the first 2 weeks of February 2018, a total of 770 patients were assessed at continuing care units of Alentejo. Of these, 135 exhibited wounds, a prevalence of 17.5%. Almost two out of three patients (63%) had arterial hypertension, slightly more than one in three (37%) had a stroke and/or immobility and 30% had diabetes. Of the total wounds identified, 18% were acute wounds and 82% were chronic wounds. Of the 24 acute wounds, traumatic wounds (76%), and surgical wounds (22%) were the most prevalent. The four types of pressure ulcers represented 80% of the chronic wounds. The median duration of the pressure ulcers was 5.5 months and 25% had duration over 10 months.
Durability of YSZ coated Ti2AlC in 1300°C high velocity burner rig tests
Authors: Smialek James L. , Cuy Michael D. , Harder Bryan J. , Garg Anita , Rogers Richard B.
Published: April 2020

A thermal barrier coating (TBC) system survived 500 hours in aggressive, 1300°C burner rig testing. The yttria‐stabilized zirconia (7YSZ) TBC was plasma sprayed on an oxidation‐resistant Ti2AlC‐type MAX phase and tested in a jet fuel burner at 100 m/s, using 5 hours cycles. No coating spallation or surface recession was observed; Al2O3‐scale growth produced a slight 2.4 mg/cm2mass gain. The coating surface exhibited craze‐cracked colonies of [111]flouritetextured columns, with no visible moisture attack. The 20 μm alumina scale remained intact under the YSZ face, about twice that producing failure for TBC/superalloy systems. TiO2nodules, initially formed on the uncoated backside, were removed, and Al2O3was etched through volatile hydroxides formed in water vapor (~10%). Overall, the test indicated exceptional stability of the YSZ/Al2O3/Ti2AlC system under turbine conditions due in large part to close thermal expansion matching.
Evaluation of isotopic boron (11B) for the fabrication of low activation Mg11B2 superconductor for next generation fusion magnets
Authors: Jie Hyunseock , Luzin Vladimir , Zaman Mukter , Valiyaparambil Abdulsalam Anvar , Chae Keun Hwa , Choi Hyung‐il , Levchenko Vladimir , Nijhuis Arend , Kim Jung H. , Mustapić Mislav , Dou Shi Xue , Yamauchi Yusuke , Khan Aslam , Shahriar A. Hossain Md.
Published: April 2020

In this study, we analyze the properties of boron isotope (11B)‐rich powders from three different sources, that is, American, Cambridge, and Pavezyum, to fabricate the bulk Mg11B2 superconductors and evaluate their superconducting properties. While 11B‐rich powder is an essential precursor to fabricate Mg11B2 superconductors for fusion magnet applications, the properties of the 11B powder turned out to be critical to determine the quality of the final superconducting product. Therefore, appropriate control of processing conditions is needed to comply with the requirements of the nuclear fusion application. Analysis of the B isotope ratio by accelerator mass spectroscopy and neutron transmission revealed that all three types of powder are enriched with 11B to better than 99 at % quality. In addition, Pavezyum's 11B shows the lowest crystallinity and smallest crystalline domain size as evidenced by the high‐resolution X‐ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscopy. The chemical states of the boron isotope investigated with near edge X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy also reveals that Pavezyum boron has amorphous structure. Mg11B2 bulks and multi‐filamentary (12‐filament) wires have been manufactured, sintered at different temperatures and characterized via the transport critical current density. The wire with Pavezyum 11B shows three times higher current carrying capacity at a particular magnetic field compared to the wire using Cambridge 11B and hence, Pavezyum 11B boron has the potential for manufacturing fusion grade Mg11B2 based magnets. The results of this study demonstrated that Boron powders with higher purity, smaller grain size and lower crystallinity are critical for improving the superconducting and electronic properties of Mg11B2 samples fabricated from the powder. Thus, the low‐neutron‐activation Mg11B2 is possibly an affordable and technically viable candidate to replace NbTi superconductors in the low field poloidal field and correction coils for the next‐generation fusion reactors.
Broadband near‐infrared emission enhancement in K2Ga2Sn6O16:Cr3+phosphor by electron‐lattice coupling regulation
Authors: Lai Jun'an , Shen Weihui , Qiu Jianbei , Zhou Dacheng , Long Zhangwen , Yang Yong , Zhang Ke , Khan Imran , Wang Qi
Published: April 2020

Cr3+‐doped phosphors have recently gained attention for their application in broadband near‐infrared phosphor‐converted light‐emitting diodes (pc‐LEDs), but generally exhibit low efficiency. In this work, K2Ga2Sn6O16:Cr3+(KGSO:Cr) phosphor was designed and synthesized. The experimental results show that the Cr3+‐doped phosphor exhibited broadband emissivity in the range 650‐1300 nm, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of approximately 220‐230 nm excited by a wavelength of 450 nm. With the co‐doping of Gd3+ions, the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of the KGSO:Cr phosphor increased from 34% to 48%. The Gd3+ions acted neither as activators nor sensitizers, but to justify the crystal field environment for efficient Cr3+ions broad emission. The Huang‐Rhys factor decreased as the co‐doping of Gd3+ions increased, demonstrating that the nonradiative transitions were suppressed. An efficient strategy for enhancing the luminescence properties of Cr3+ions is proposed for the first time. The Gd3+–co‐doped KGSO:Cr phosphor is a promising candidate for broadband NIR pc‐LEDs.
Calcitriol enhances Doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells via regulating VDR/PTPN2/p‐STAT3 pathway
Authors: Zhang Ting , He Liang , Wang Zhihong , Dong Wenwu , Sun Wei , Qin Yuan , Zhang Ping , Zhang Hao
Published: April 2020

There is increasing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is the risk factor for multiple diseases, such as immune disorder, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D with beneficial effects on anti‐cancer by binding vitamin D receptor (VDR). The primary aim of this study was to investigate the role of Calcitriol on papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and explore the possible mechanism. We found nuclear VDR expression in PTC samples was negatively correlated with STAT3 hyperphosphorylation that indicated worse PTC clinicopathologic characteristics. Calcitriol treatment up‐regulated VDR and protein tyrosine phosphatase N 2 (PTPN2) expression, down‐regulated signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT3) phosphorylation and thereby facilitating chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis in PTC cell lines. However, the apoptosis‐promoting effect of Calcitriol and Doxorubicin co‐treatment was abrogated by STAT3 hyperphosphorylation, indicating suppression of STAT3 phosphorylation was essential for combined treatment of Calcitriol and Doxorubicin in PTC. Together, these results suggested that Calcitriol reinforced the sensitivity of PTC cells to Doxorubicin by regulating VDR/PTPN2/p‐STAT3 signalling pathway.
Metabolic reprogramming‐associated genes predict overall survival for rectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Zhong‐Yi , Yao Qing‐Zhi , Liu Hui‐Yong , Guo Qiao‐Nan , Qiu Peng‐Jun , Chen Jian‐Peng , Lin Jian‐Qing
Published: April 2020

Metabolic reprogramming has become a hot topic recently in the regulation of tumour biology. Although hundreds of altered metabolic genes have been reported to be associated with tumour development and progression, the important prognostic role of these metabolic genes remains unknown. We downloaded messenger RNA expression profiles and clinicopathological data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Gene Expression Omnibus database to uncover the prognostic role of these metabolic genes. Univariate Cox regression analysis and lasso Cox regression model were utilized in this study to screen prognostic associated metabolic genes. Patients with high‐risk demonstrated significantly poorer survival outcomes than patients with low‐risk in the TCGA database. Also, patients with high‐risk still showed significantly poorer survival outcomes than patients with low‐risk in the GEO database. What is more, gene set enrichment analyses were performed in this study to uncover significantly enriched GO terms and pathways in order to help identify potential underlying mechanisms. Our study identified some survival‐related metabolic genes for rectal cancer prognosis prediction. These genes might play essential roles in the regulation of metabolic microenvironment and in providing significant potential biomarkers in metabolic treatment.
Medication administration in Australian residential aged care: A time‐and‐motion study
Authors: Chen Esa Y. H. , Bell J. Simon , Ilomäki Jenni , Corlis Megan , Hogan Michelle E. , Caporale Tessa , Van Emden Jan , Westbrook Johanna I. , Hilmer Sarah N. , Sluggett Janet K.
Published: April 2020

Rationale/aim

Medication administration is a complex and time‐consuming task in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). Understanding the time associated with each administration step may help identify opportunities to optimize medication management in RACFs. This study aimed to investigate the time taken to administer medications to residents, including those with complex care needs such as cognitive impairment and swallowing difficulties.

Method

A time‐and‐motion study was conducted in three South Australian RACFs. A representative sample of 57 scheduled medication administration rounds in 14 units were observed by a single investigator. The rounds were sampled to include different times of day, memory support units for residents living with dementia and standard units, and medication administration by registered and enrolled nurses. Medications were administered from pre‐prepared medication strip packaging. The validated Work Observation Method By Activity Timing (WOMBAT) software was used to record observations.

Results

Thirty nurses were observed. The average time spent on scheduled medication administration rounds was 5.2 h/unit of average 22 residents/day. The breakfast medication round had the longest duration (1.92 h/unit). Resident preparation, medication preparation and provision, documentation, transit, communication, and cleaning took an average of 5 minutes per resident per round. Medication preparation and provision comprised 60% of overall medication round time and took significantly longer in memory support than in standard units (66 vs 49 seconds per resident per round for preparation, 79 vs 58 for provision; P < .001 for both). Almost half (42%) of tablets/capsules were crushed in memory support units. The time taken for medication administration was not significantly different among registered and enrolled nurses.

Conclusions

Nurses took an average of 5 minutes to administer medications per resident per medication round. Medication administration in memory support units took an additional minute per resident per round, with almost half of tablets and capsules needing to be crushed.
Preference for saline water of an amphidromous goby maintained during migration to upstream freshwater areas
Authors: Oto Yumeki
Published: April 2020

This study aimed to reveal the salinity preference of juveniles of an amphidromous goby, Sumi‐ukigori Gymnogobius petschiliensis, while migrating to a freshwater area. Salinity choice experiments revealed that juveniles of this species significantly prefer brackish water (salinity 20) to freshwater (salinity 0) when acclimated to a salinity of 20 in advance. Additional experiments revealed no preference between brackish water and seawater (salinity 35). Since body size was not correlated with the strength of preference for brackish water, and adults of this species are also known to prefer brackish water at a salinity of 20 to freshwater, the preference for saline water may be consistent after migration to a freshwater area. Considering that juvenile G. petschiliensis would often migrate to freshwater areas just after entering streams, the migration should be against its salinity preference. This directly contrasts with other diadromous species, which prefer the salinity of destination areas during and after migration. Adult and juvenile G. petschiliensis may take advantage of high euryhalinity to choose habitats where such ecological costs, such as high predation risk and interspecific competition, are low (i.e., freshwater areas).
Quality of soybean cultivars in the drying and storage processes in real scale and experimental
Authors: Coradi Paulo C. , Müller Amanda , Souza Guilherme A. C. , Steinhaus Jontas I. , Wagner Roger
Published: April 2020

The aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of RR and RR2 soybean cultivars submitted to different drying temperatures and storage conditions in real scale and experimental. In the real scale, the soybean lots evaluated were divided into: dry soybeans (RR and RR2), dry soybeans in the cooperative's drying unit (80, 100, and 120°C), and moist soybean grains, without distinction of the cultivars. The batches of dried grains were subjected to storage for a period of 2 months. In laboratory experiment, after drying (35, 45, and 45°C), the soybean samples were stored in cold rooms under controlled temperature conditions (10 and 20°C) and evaluated in storage periods of 0, 30 and 60 days. It was concluded that the anticipated harvest of soybean lots submitted to artificial drying obtained better quality results. The conditions applied in drying and storage infers the physicochemical quality of the grains according to the type of soybean cultivar. The drying of soybean lots at 35°C and stored at 10°C temperature conditions obtained better physicochemical quality. The soybean lots of RR cultivar maintained higher levels of protein and lipids after drying and storage processes.

Practical applications

Adopting more suitable drying and storage conditions for soybean cultivars processed in storage units facilitates the management of grain mass throughout the processes, reducing quanti‐qualitative grain losses and postharvest grain flow logistic problems.
Trio housing of adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta): Methodology and outcome predictors
Authors: Ruhde Allison A. , Baker Kate C. , Russell‐Lodrigue Kasi E. , Blanchard James L. , Bohm Rudolf P.
Published: April 2020

Background

This study evaluated the feasibility of trio housing caged adult male rhesus macaques and attempted to identify outcome predictors for trio housing formation and its intermediary introduction steps.

Methods

Subjects were familiarized consecutively to each potential group member via protected contact prior to introduction into the trio. Seven trios were attempted, involving 18 males, with three males attempted in two different trios.

Results

One group was deemed successful, with a tenure of 51 days. Five were disbanded within minutes, and one was deemed unsuccessful the following morning. Two males sustained wounds requiring veterinary care over the course of the study. Outcome of the protected contact phase was predicted by age and temperament disparities as well as initial behavior.

Conclusions

While outcomes were poor, it suggests that attempts can be made relatively safely, and alternative introduction strategies should be explored to increase the feasibility of trio housing for adult males.
Ontogeny and homology of cranial bones associated with lateral‐line canals of the Senegal Bichir,Polypterus senegalus(Actinopterygii: Cladistii: Polypteriformes), with a discussion on the formation of lateral‐line canal bones in fishes
Authors: Rizzato Pedro P. , Pospisilova Anna , Hilton Eric J. , Bockmann Flávio A.
Published: April 2020

The association between lateral‐line canals and skull bones in fishes has been the subject of several studies and raised a series of controversies, particularly with regard to the hypothesized role of lateral‐line organs (i.e. neuromasts) in osteogenesis and the consequences for hypotheses of homology of the bones associated with lateral‐line canals. Polypteridae, a group of freshwater fishes that occupies a key phylogenetic position as the most basal extant lineage of ray‐finned fishes (Actinopterygii), provides an interesting model for the study of the relationships between lateral‐line canals and skull bones. We describe the development of bones associated with lateral‐line canals in the Senegal Bichir,Polypterus senegalus, and use these data to re‐address previous hypotheses of homology of skull bones of polypterids. We demonstrate that the lateral‐line canals constitute a separate component of the dermatocranium that may interact with a membranodermal component, thereby forming compound bones in the adult. Differences in the interactions between these components determine the characteristics of the development of each independent bone in the skull of adultP. senegalus. Our results shed light on long‐standing controversies about the identity of skull bones such as the rostral, preopercle, and sphenotic in Polypteridae, and suggest the presence of an ancestral two‐component pattern of formation of bones associated with lateral‐line canals in bony fishes. These findings reveal the need to re‐address previous hypotheses of homology of bones associated with lateral‐line canals in different groups of bony fishes, especially fossil taxa.
Motivation crowding‐out and green‐paradox‐like outcomes
Authors: Marsiglio Simone , Tolotti Marco
Published: April 2020

We analyze the effectiveness of environmental policy in a framework in which households’ utility is determined by both private and social components, representing their extrinsic and intrinsic motivations to undertake green actions, respectively. Environmental policy, in the form of a subsidy aiming to incentivize the adoption of a green technology, on the one hand, directly increases households’ extrinsic motivation, while, on the other hand, indirectly decreases their intrinsic motivation. We show that, provided that the indirect effect dominates, the policy leads to crowding‐out of intrinsic motivation which ultimately undermines the effectiveness of the policy itself. Specifically, despite its positive effect on environmental outcomes in the short run, the policy will lead to a deterioration in long‐run environmental outcomes, giving rise to a reverse green‐paradox‐like outcome. Moreover, even in the case in which the direct effect dominates, provided that the indirect effect is large enough, the policy will generate a deterioration in short‐run environmental outcomes. These results clearly suggest that the optimal design of environmental policy is particularly complicated since it requires to take into account also its effects on intrinsic motivation.
Pathogenicity of Epicoccum sorghinum towards dragon fruits (Hylocereus species) and in vitro evaluation of chemicals with antifungal activity
Authors: Taguiam John Darby , Evallo Edzel , Bengoa Jennelyn , Maghirang Rodel , Balendres Mark Angelo
Published: April 2020

Recent reports of plant diseases that result in yield reduction and increasing demand for dragon fruits raise concerns of fruit supply shortage. Emerging plant diseases may play an important role in increasing yield losses and reducing the availability of stem cuttings (source of planting materials). Understanding the aetiology of current and new diseases of dragon fruit is important to address production issues and to formulate effective disease control measures. This study reports Epicoccum sorghinum as a potential emerging pathogen of dragon fruit. Epicoccum sorghinum MBDF0024a was isolated from dragon fruit stems (Hylocereus monacanthus) showing brown spot symptoms. DNA sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS‐rDNA), beta tubulin and actin gene regions of fungal isolate MBDF0024a had high similarities to E. sorghinum stains. Epicoccum sorghinum MBDF0024a was pathogenic to three cultivated dragon fruit species (Hylocereus undatus, H. monacanthus and H. megalanthus) in repeated laboratory and glasshouse trials. Large brown lesions developed on 3‐week‐old inoculated rooted stem cuttings 3 days postinoculation (dpi). Yellowing of the lesion (advance part) started at five dpi, and at seven dpi, yellowing was observed in the stem. As there are no reported control measures for diseases caused by E. sorghinum, this study screened chemicals with antifungal properties. A biopesticide containing B. subtilis (2 ml/400 ml), and chemicals isoprothiolane (2.25 ml/400 ml), mancozeb (2 g/400 ml) and pyraclostrobin (1 ml/400 ml) (chemical control) completely inhibited the in vitro growth of E. sorghinum MBDF0024a. The results establish E. sorghinum as a new and emerging pathogen of dragon fruit that could be a major yield‐limiting disease if left uncontrolled. The biopesticide can be considered a fairly safe option for disease management, but glasshouse and field studies are needed for validation.
Pharmacokinetic interaction between a Chinese herbal formula Huosu Yangwei oral liquid and apatinib in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Fang Sheng-Quan , Huang Jian , Zhang Feng , Ni Hong-Mei , Chen Qi-Long , Zhu Jun-Ran , Fu Zhi-Chao , Zhu Liang , Hao Wei-Wei , Ge Guang-Bo
Published: April 2020

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Huosu Yangwei oral liquid (HSYW) on cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs) and to investigate whether this herbal medicine could modulate the pharmacokinetic behaviour of the co-administered CYP-substrate drug apatinib.

Methods

Cytochrome P450 enzymes inhibition assays were conducted in human liver microsomes (HLM) by a LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of the oxidative metabolites of eight probe substrates for hepatic CYPs. The modulatory effects of HSYW on the oxidative metabolism of apatinib were investigated in both HLM and rat liver microsomes (RLM). The influences of HSYW on the pharmacokinetic behaviour of apatinib were investigated in rats.

Key findings

Huosu Yangwei oral liquid inhibited all tested CYPs in human liver preparations, with the IC50 values ranged from 0.3148 to 2.642 mg/ml. HSYW could also inhibit the formation of two major oxidative metabolites of apatinib in liver microsomes from both human and rat. In-vivo assays demonstrated that HSYW could significantly prolong the plasma half-life of apatinib by 7.4-fold and increase the AUC0–inf (nm·h) of apatinib by 43%, when HSYW (10 ml/kg) was co-administered with apatinib (10 mg/kg) in rats.

Conclusions

Huosu Yangwei oral liquid could inhibit mammalian CYPs and modulated the metabolic half-life of apatinib both in vitro and in vivo.
Dimorphism in the Antarctic cryptophyte Geminigera cryophila (Cryptophyceae)
Authors: van den Hoff John , Bell Elanor , Whittock Lucy
Published: April 2020

A pink to red‐pigmented cryptophyte of undetermined taxonomic affinity was isolated and cloned from two seasonally ice‐covered. meromictic, saline Antarctic aquatic environments: Bayly Bay (BB) and Ace Lake (AL). The clones shared a number of morphological and ultrastructural similarities with other cryptomonad genera, which confounded identification by light and electron microscopy. Cellular pigments extracted from the AL clone showed an absorption maximum corresponding to the biliprotein Cr‐phycoerythrin 545, thus narrowing its potential taxonomic affinities. Partial 18S SSU ribosomal gene sequences were isolated from both the AL and the BB cryptomonads’ nuclear rDNA, whereas PCR‐amplified and their molecular phylogenies inferred from the subject sequences. Our results, and the results of another study that used our prepublished sequence data, invariably resolved both clones as very close matches with the Antarctic cryptophyte, Geminigera cryophila. When combined, the morphological, chemical, and molecular evidence suggested that both of our cryptophyte clones were a cryptomorph of the G. cryophila campylomorph. Slight differences between the AL and BB nuclear tree reconstructions suggested divergent microevolution following long‐term isolation of the AL population from the surrounding marine ecosystem. This study provides further compelling evidence that certain Cryptophyceae engage in a life‐history strategy, which includes alternating morphologically distinct cell‐types (dimorphism); cell‐types which without molecular analyses could be mistaken as novel taxa.
Influential neighbours: Seeds of dominant species affect the germination of common grassland species
Authors: Fenesi Annamária , Kelemen Kinga , Sándor Dorottya , Ruprecht Eszter
Published: April 2020

Questions

Germination is a prerequisite of successful establishment in plant communities and is influenced by many factors. Therefore, seeds are under strong selective pressure to sense and integrate information about their environment and modulate germination based on it. In this study, we focus on interspecific seed–seed interactions under optimal and suboptimal conditions to test three hypotheses: (H1) dominant species’ seeds and emerging seedlings are most likely to be recognised by neighbouring seeds and exert a significant effect on the germination of common subordinate species; (H2) taxonomically related species are expected to exert stronger influence than unrelated species on the germination of neighbouring seeds; and (H3) facilitative interactions are more likely to occur under suboptimal conditions (drought stress) in the seed–seed interactions.

Location

Semi‐dry temperate grassland belonging to the Festuco‐Brometea class, Cluj‐Napoca, Romania.

Methods

We assessed the rate and speed of germination of three common subordinate Asteraceae species (target species) in a controlled germination experiment. The target species’ seeds were sown in combination with low and high densities of neighbour species: two dominant Poaceae species, two subordinate Asteraceae species and two subordinate Apiaceae species; under optimal or drought conditions.

Results

Under optimal water conditions, particularly the seeds of the two dominant Poaceae species affected the germination of target species. Under drought stress, almost all neighbouring species altered the germination of two of the target species, enhancing or reducing their germination rate. Facilitation in seed–seed interactions was proved to be species‐specific rather than general under drought conditions.

Conclusions

We found evidence that the status in a plant community (dominant or subordinate), but not the taxonomic relatedness influences the outcome of seed–seed interactions during germination. Under drought stress, the persistent competitive effect of the dominant species might considerably hinder the recruitment of subordinate grassland species.
Supervised machine learning is superior to indicator value inference in monitoring the environmental impacts of salmon aquaculture using eDNA metabarcodes
Authors: Frühe Larissa , Cordier Tristan , Dully Verena , Breiner Hans‐Werner , Lentendu Guillaume , Pawlowski Jan , Martins Catarina , Wilding Thomas A. , Stoeck Thorsten
Published: April 2020

Increasing anthropogenic impact and global change effects on natural ecosystems has prompted the development of less expensive and more efficient bioassessments methodologies. One promising approach is the integration of DNA metabarcoding in environmental monitoring. A critical step in this process is the inference of ecological quality (EQ) status from identified molecular bioindicator signatures that mirror environmental classification based on standard macroinvertebrate surveys. The most promising approaches to infer EQ from biotic indices (BI) are supervised machine learning (SML) and the calculation of indicator values (IndVal). In this study we compared the performance of both approaches using DNA metabarcodes of bacteria and ciliates as bioindicators obtained from 152 samples collected from seven Norwegian salmon farms. Results from standard macroinvertebrate‐monitoring of the same samples were used as reference to compare the accuracy of both approaches. First, SML outperformed the IndVal approach to infer EQ from eDNA metabarcodes. The Random Forest (RF) algorithm appeared to be less sensitive to noisy data (a typical feature of massive environmental sequence data sets) and uneven data coverage across EQ classes (a typical feature of environmental compliance monitoring scheme) compared to a widely used method to infer IndVals for the calculation of a BI. Second, bacteria allowed for a more accurate EQ assessment than ciliate eDNA metabarcodes. For the implementation of DNA metabarcoding into routine monitoring programmes to assess EQ around salmon aquaculture cages, we therefore recommend bacterial DNA metabarcodes in combination with SML to classify EQ categories based on molecular signatures.