bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolving thermal thresholds explain the distribution of temperature sex reversal in an Australian dragon lizard
Authors: Castelli Meghan A. , Georges Arthur , Cherryh Caitlin , Rosauer Dan F. , Sarre Stephen D. , Contador‐Kelsall Isabella , Holleley Clare E.
Published: November 2020

Aim

Species with temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) are particularly vulnerable to climate change because a resultant skew in population sex ratio can have severe demographic consequences and increase vulnerability to local extinction. The Australian central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) has a thermosensitive ZZ male/ZW female system of genetic sex determination (GSD). High incubation temperatures cause reversal of the ZZ genotype to a viable female phenotype. Nest temperatures in the wild are predicted to vary on a scale likely to produce heterogeneity in the occurrence of sex reversal, and so we predict that sex reversal will correlate positively with inferred incubation conditions.

Location

Mainland Australia.

Methods

Wild‐caught specimens of P. vitticeps vouchered in museum collections and collected during targeted field trips were genotypically and phenotypically sexed to determine the distribution of sex reversal across the species range. To determine whether environmental conditions or genetic structure can explain this distribution, we infer the incubation conditions experienced by each individual and apply a multi‐model inference approach to determine which conditions associate with sex reversal. Further, we conduct reduced representation sequencing on a subset of specimens to characterize the population structure of this broadly distributed species.

Results

Here we show that sex reversal in this widespread Australian dragon lizard is spatially restricted to the eastern part of the species range. Neither climatic variables during the inferred incubation period nor geographic population genetic structure explain this disjunct distribution of sex reversal. The main source of genetic variation arose from isolation by distance across the species range.

Main conclusions

We propose that local genetic adaptation in the temperature threshold for sex reversal can counteract the sex‐reversing influence of high incubation temperatures in P. vitticeps. Our study demonstrates that complex evolutionary processes need to be incorporated into modelling biological responses to future climate scenarios.
Tiludronic acid can be detected in blood and urine samples from Thoroughbred racehorses over 3 years after last administration
Authors: Riggs Chris M. , Thompson Sarah L. , So Yat‐Ming , Wong Jenny K.Y. , Wan Terence S.M. , Robinson Paul , Stewart Brian D. , Ho Emmie N.M.
Published: November 2020

Background

Administration of bisphosphonates, including tiludronic acid, to Thoroughbred racehorses below 3 and a half years of age is prohibited in most racing jurisdictions.

Objectives

To determine if evidence of administration of tiludronic acid could be obtained from analysis of blood and urine samples beyond 40 days after administration.

Study design

Retrospective cohort.

Methods

Horses maintained in a highly controlled environment and treated with Tildren®a were selected from clinical records. Twenty‐four horses were identified, 21 of which were still in race training. Blood and urine samples were collected and analysed for the presence of tiludronic acid using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–high‐resolution mass spectrometry.

Results

Tiludronic acid was detected in samples from every horse, including two that had been given a therapeutic dose of the drug 3 years prior to sample collection. The estimated concentrations of tiludronic acid in the blood collected at least 2 years post‐administration were consistently very low (less than 0.3 ng/mL). The estimated concentrations in urine were less consistent and were generally lower than those in blood, although higher levels were inconsistently detected in individual horses (up to about 16 ng/mL almost 1 year post‐administration in 1 horse and about 3.7 ng/mL at almost 3 years post‐administration in another).

Main limitations

The study was performed in horses that are older than the primary target group. A single sample was obtained from most horses and so we cannot comment on elimination profiles.

Conclusions

Evidence that a therapeutic dose of tiludronic acid has been administered to a horse can be obtained from detection of the drug in blood and urine samples over 3 years after it was administered.
How to build a well‐rounded CV and get hired after your PhD
Authors: Chong Zheng‐Shan , Clohisey Sara
Published: December 2020

Embarking on a PhD provides many opportunities for personal and professional development beyond scientific research. This instalment of the Words of Advice series aims to provide guidance and tips on harnessing these resources to build a well‐rounded CV and increase your chances of getting hired after your PhD. We provide two perspectives on developing your CV to optimise career opportunities in academia and beyond. The first perspective is by Dr Zheng‐Shan Chong, a post‐doctoral researcher in Singapore, and focuses on the acquisition of a wide range of skills and experience that could open doors to a career outside of academia. Beyond her day job, Shan manages an article series on bioentrepreneurship and career development for Biotech Connection Singapore, which has allowed her to speak to several researchers who have successfully transitioned to non‐research roles. Here, she summarises the insights gained from these conversations. This is followed by advice and tips from Dr Sara Clohisey, a post‐doctoral researcher in Edinburgh who changed fields after her PhD, from Drosophila cell biology to human genetics and virology. Although not quite as dramatic as leaving academia completely, this shift prompted her to rethink her approach to writing an academic CV so that it would appeal to an employer from a different field. Sara’s perspective is particularly geared towards careers in research. We hope that these unique perspectives from experienced individuals who have successfully navigated the path from graduate student to working scientist will prove useful to those who are planning their next moves after completing a PhD.
Metalimnetic chlorophyll maxima in Lake Kinneret ‐ Chlorobium revisited
Authors: Ninio Shira , Lupu Achsa , Eckert Werner , Ostrovsky Ilia , Viner Mozzini Yehudit , Sukenik Assaf
Published: November 2020

A deep chlorophyll maximum (DCM) is often seen in stratified freshwater bodies at the interface between an anaerobic layer and an oxic layer. A DCM of the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium phaeobacteroides was previously reported as a dense population in the oxygen devoid layer of a monomictic stratified lake, Lake Kinneret, Israel.

In this multidisciplinary study, we examined the vertical distribution and diversity of the DCM photosynthetic community and characterised it spectrally and genetically, over two consecutive years.

Pigment composition, together with 16S rDNA sequencing data unveil the presence of more than a single Chlorobium species as dominant members of the DCM community. Altogether, five different Chlorobia genotypes were identified, four of which occurred in both of the studied years. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the dominant genotype is closely related to C. phaeobacteroides, implying that it contributes the majority of the bacteriochlorophyll‐e found in the DCM of the lake.

Hierarchical clustering analysis demonstrates that dissolved oxygen concentration is a strong predictor for the distribution of all Chlorobia genotypes found in Lake Kinneret. Furthermore, this analysis suggests that competition probably exists between the various Chlorobia genotypes and proposes that a C. phaeobacteroides‐related amplicon sequence variant is better equipped to cope with the conditions prevailing in Lake Kinneret metalimnion.

Chlorobia genotypes composing the DCM appear at a similar relative abundance in two consecutive years, even though timing and intensity of the DCM were different. This stable structure of the Chlorobia community observed here may represent a general theme in other stratified freshwater bodies harbouring Chlorobia.
Beaver dams are associated with enhanced amphibian diversity via lengthened hydroperiods and increased representation of slow‐developing species
Authors: Romansic John M. , Nelson Nicolette L. , Moffett Kevan B. , Piovia‐Scott Jonah
Published: November 2020

Land managers are increasingly using beavers to restore hydrological function, provide wildlife habitat, and mitigate the effects of climate extremes on water balances and ecosystems. Although North American beavers (Castor canadensis) and Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) both hold great potential for landscape‐scale benefits, more information about the interactions between beavers and wildlife is necessary to maximise the ecological benefits and minimise the social and ecological costs of beaver‐centred management. Beaver dams create large, deep pools with long hydroperiods, which could benefit aquatic and semi‐aquatic species, especially pond‐breeding amphibians, which breed in still and slow‐moving water.

We studied the relationship between beaver dams and pond‐breeding amphibians in the southern Washington Cascade Range of the north‐west U.S.A. by surveying 29 beaver‐dammed and 20 undammed lentic sites in three mid‐elevation (560–1,010 m) spatial blocks.

We found that mean amphibian species richness was 2.7 times higher in dammed sites than in undammed sites (2.4 vs. 0.9 species). This increase in species richness was driven by increased occupancy of slow‐developing species—red‐legged frogs (Rana aurora) and northwestern salamanders (Ambystoma gracile)—which were also more abundant at sites with dams. These two species were detected almost exclusively in beaver‐dammed sites, suggesting that some amphibians rely heavily on beaver‐dammed sites for successful reproduction in areas such as our study blocks where ponds and wetlands with long hydroperiods are otherwise scarce. Species with highly variable development periods—long‐toed salamanders (Ambystoma macrodactylum) and rough‐skinned newts (Taricha granulosa)—showed nonsignificant trends of higher site occupancy and, in the case of newts, higher number of mating events per hectare in dammed sites compared to undammed sites.

Compared to undammed sites, dammed ponds were consistently deeper and had longer hydroperiods, consistent with beavers benefitting slow‐developing amphibians primarily by increasing the quality of lentic breeding habitat. We suggest that slow‐developing amphibians and some variable‐rate developers might benefit greatly from beaver restoration, especially in areas where climate change is predicted to reduce summertime water levels. Beavers could therefore be useful and important components of ecosystem‐based restoration, management, and climate adaption, especially in parts of their native ranges in North America or Eurasia predicted to undergo climatic drying.
Rainfall continentality, via the winter Gams angle, provides a new dimension to biogeographical distributions in the western United States
Authors: Michalet Richard , Choler Philippe , Callaway Ragan M. , Whitham Thomas G.
Published: November 2020

Aim

Drought stress has focused on water availability during the growing season, thus primarily on summer. However, variation in rainfall continentality can produce striking vegetation differences. We aim to disentangle summer water balance from winter rainfall continentality, to better understand how climate regulates the distributions of woody plants in the western USA.

Location

Western USA.

Time period

Actual.

Major taxa studied

Angiosperms and conifers.

Methods

We used redundancy analysis (RDA) to investigate correlations between rainfall continentality, summer water balance, minimum winter temperature and length of growing season on the distributions of 130 tree and shrub species in 467 plots. Rainfall continentality was calculated using the Gams index, modified for winter precipitation, and summer water balance with the ratio of summer precipitation to temperature. We estimated actual evapotranspiration (AET), deficit (DEF), mean annual temperature and rainfall from global gridded data sets and correlated them with RDA axes.

Results

Rainfall continentality measured with the Gams index and minimum temperatures best explained the contrast between oceanic vegetation in the Pacific Coast Ranges and continental vegetation in the Intermountain Region and Rocky Mountains. Growing season length (GSL) was the second strongest factor correlated with vegetation distributions. Summer water balance, despite being the most widely used climatic factor to assess drought stress in biogeography, was the third strongest factor correlating with vegetation classes of the western US. AET was equally correlated with RDA axes 1 and 3, and, thus, could not discriminate between the contrasts in the RDA.

Main conclusions

Rainfall continentality measured with the winter Gams index provides a more precise metric than summer water balance for understanding the biogeography of woody plants in the western USA. Broadly integrating the Gams index of continentality into plant distributions may improve our understanding of biogeographical distributions and predictions of responses to climate change.
Networking in contexts: qualitative social network analysis' insights into migration processes
Authors: Kindler Marta
Published: November 2020

How do migrants network in different contexts? I address this question by using qualitative social network analysis and explore the relationship between shared contexts and individuals' possibilities for interaction as well as (un)intentional network (re)creation. I observe how migrants form ties and draw boundaries in two contexts: (1) institutional and (2) migrant community. I draw on qualitative data from a study of Ukrainian migrants' social networks in Warsaw, Poland. I find that the structural opportunities that facilitate relationships with Poles differ between those Ukrainian migrants who arrived around or after the year 2014 and those who migrated earlier. The relations between Ukrainians are characterized by class divisions, which they interpret via ‘language/ethnic’ differences, reinforced by the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine. However, these symbolic boundaries do not translate into rigid network boundaries.
Connected global intellectual history and the decolonisation of the curriculum
Authors: McClure Julia
Published: November 2020

Connected global intellectual history can contribute to the process of decolonising the curricula by decentring Europe and resituating it as part of an interconnected world. From this perspective, Europe is displaced from being imagined as the source of knowledge and the Western tradition is unbound. This article shows how cultural and intellectual phenomena of the Renaissance, the Enlightenment and the tradition of universal history, which have been seen as emanating from Europe, were produced by global processes. The concepts produced by these intellectual and cultural movement cannot be confined to the European units of context but rather had global lives. This article shows how looking at the connections of global intellectual history in general, and the influence of the Americas in particular, can contribute to the decolonisation of the curriculum.
Risk of chronic kidney disease in people living with HIV by tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use and baseline D:A:D chronic kidney disease risk score
Authors: Hsu R , Brunet L , Fusco J , Beyer A , Prajapati G , Wyatt C , Wohlfeiler M , Fusco G
Published: November 2020

Objectives

To assess the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) use by baseline D:A:D CKD risk score.

Methods

Adult antiretroviral therapy (ART)‐naïve people living with HIV (PLWH) initiating treatment, with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, were identified in the OPERA cohort. CKD was defined as two or more consecutive eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, > 90 days apart. Associations between TDF use, baseline D:A:D CKD risk and incident CKD were assessed with incidence rates (IRs; Poisson regression) and adjusted pooled logistic regression. The impact of pharmacoenhancers on the observed association between TDF and CKD was also evaluated.

Results

Of 9802 PLWH included, 6222 initiated TDF and 3580 did not (76% and 79% low D:A:D CKD risk, respectively). Overall, 125 CKD events occurred over 24 382 person‐years of follow‐up. Within strata of D:A:D CKD risk score, IRs were similar across TDF exposure, with high baseline CKD risk associated with highest incidence. Compared with the low‐risk group without TDF, there was no statistical difference in odds of incident CKD in the low‐risk group with TDF (adjusted odds ratio = 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.19–1.54). Odds of incident CKD did not differ statistically significantly by pharmacoenhancer exposure, with or without TDF.

Conclusions

In this large cohort of ART‐naïve PLWH, incident CKD following ART initiation was infrequent and strongly associated with baseline CKD risk. TDF‐containing regimens did not increase the odds of CKD in those with a low baseline D:A:D CKD risk, the largest group of ART‐naïve PLWH, and may remain a viable treatment option in appropriate settings.
United States Medicaid home and community‐based services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities: A scoping review
Authors: McLean Kiley J. , Hoekstra Allison M. , Bishop Lauren
Published: November 2020

Emerging research tests the impact of United States Medicaid home and community‐based (HCBS) waiver policy on outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; however, this body of work has yet to be synthesized. We conducted a scoping review to establish what is known about the impact of Medicaid HCBS policy on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Seven studies met final inclusion criteria. Their findings contribute to preliminary evidence that Medicaid HCBS waivers provide economic benefit at the state and federal level, reduce unmet healthcare needs, increase the likelihood that parents will be able to continue working, and reduce racial disparities in access to care. Additional work should compare HCBS waiver programmes, and their causal pathways, as well as draw international comparisons to similar programming, to determine essential infrastructure needed for a successful HCBS programme.
Evidence of continued reduction in the age‐at‐death disparity between adults with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
Authors: Landes Scott D. , McDonald Katherine E. , Wilmoth Janet M. , Carter Grosso Erika
Published: November 2020

Background

This study examines recent trends in the age‐at‐death disparity between adults with and without intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in the United States.

Method

Data were from the 2005–2017 U.S. death certificates. Average age at death was compared between adults whose death certificate did or did not report an intellectual and/or developmental disability.

Results

Age at death increased minimally for adults without, but markedly for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. As a result, the age‐at‐death disparity decreased: 2.2 years between adults with/without intellectual disability; 1.9 years between adults with/without Down syndrome; 2.7 years between adults with/without cerebral palsy; and 5.1 years between adults with/without rare developmental disabilities.

Conclusion

Evidence from this study demonstrates that the age‐at‐death disparity between adults who did or did not have an intellectual and/or developmental disability reported on their death certificate continues to decrease, but the magnitude of the remaining disparity varied considerably by type of disability.
Internet use among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Korea
Authors: Kim Kyung Mee , Lee Chung Eun
Published: November 2020

Background

It is evident that people with disabilities worldwide face digital divide; although this divide has been mitigated owing to greater access to technologies, a gap remains in terms of Internet use. Given that South Korea has one of the highest Internet access rates, it is necessary to examine how adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) access the Internet, and what correlates with Internet usage.

Method

A total of 298 adults with IDD in South Korea participated in the survey.

Results

The participants reported benefits from the Internet including increased opportunities for leisure and entertainment, updated news and networking with friends. Internet access was found to be pervasive among people of younger ages and less severe disabilities. Further, Internet usage corresponded to material access, digital literacy and a positive attitude towards digital applications.

Conclusions

Targeted digital literacy programmes can be developed for adults with IDD.
Licochalcone A inhibits EGFR signalling and translationally suppresses survivin expression in human cancer cells
Authors: Gao Feng , Li Ming , Yu Xinfang , Liu Wenbin , Zhou Li , Li Wei
Published: November 2020

Dysfunction of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling plays a critical role in the oncogenesis of non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we reported the natural product, licochalcone A, exhibited a profound anti‐tumour efficacy through directly targeting EGFR signalling. Licochalcone A inhibited in vitro cell growth, colony formation and in vivo tumour growth of either wild‐type (WT) or activating mutation EGFR‐expressed NSCLC cells. Licochalcone A bound with L858R single‐site mutation, exon 19 deletion, L858R/T790M mutation and WT EGFR ex vivo, and impaired EGFR kinase activity both in vitro and in NSCLC cells. The in silico docking study further indicated that licochalcone A interacted with both WT and mutant EGFRs. Moreover, licochalcone A induced apoptosis and decreased survivin protein robustly in NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, we found that treatment with licochalcone A translationally suppressed survivin through inhibiting EGFR downstream kinases ERK1/2 and Akt. Depletion of the translation initiation complex by eIF4E knockdown effectively inhibited survivin expression. In contrast, knockdown of 4E‐BP1 showed the opposite effect and dramatically enhanced survivin protein level. Overall, our data indicate that targeting survivin might be an alternative strategy to sensitize EGFR‐targeted therapy.
Commentary– Opening a can of worms: the importance of testing the measurement invariance of hierarchical models of psychopathology – a commentary on He and Li (2020)
Authors: C. Cicero David , J. Ruggero Camilo
Published: November 2020

Measurement invariance is an understudied topic in much of psychopathology research, but its effects have far‐reaching consequences. It has rarely been examined with respect to hierarchical models of psychopathology. He & Li’s (2020) study represents one of the first attempts to bridge the gap between relatively narrow focused studies on the psychometric properties of specific assessments with broader research on the hierarchical structure of psychopathology. The results are promising, but more research is needed to understand the impact of culture, race, and ethnicity on the expression of psychopathology. Future research may determine whether dimensional and hierarchical models decrease the effect of cultural biases on assessment and help to further understand the etiology of epidemiological differences in rates of disorders. These models may also help to account for culture‐bound syndromes.
Optimization of the process parameters for extruded commercial sinking fish feed with mixed plant protein sources
Authors: Wang Hao , Ma Shifeng , Yang Jie , Qin Yuchang , Cheng Hongyuan , Xue Min , Li Jun , Li Junguo
Published: November 2020

The aim of the investigation was to optimize extrusion process parameters for processing commercial sinking fish feed with mixed plant protein sources in a pilot‐scale twin‐screw extruder equipped with a preconditioner. It has been found out that the bulk density of feed pellets increased with the moisture content in the range of 22–27% (wt), then decreased with the moisture content from 27 to 32%. Meanwhile, increasing moisture content (22–32%) resulted in a decrease of pellet hardness, water solubility, and specific mechanical energy (SME), and an increase of pellet hydration time. There was a significant decrease (p <.05) in SME, bulk density, and hydration time when the die temperature was increased from 90 to 140°C. Increasing the screw speed (180–300 rpm) led to an increase in SME, water solubility index (WSI), and water solubility, but a decrease of water solubility index (WAI). The optimal process parameters for processing the sinking feed pellets were moisture content: 26.6%, screw speed: 180 rpm, and die temperature: 113°C. These operation parameters provide a reference for the industrial production of fish feed with mixed plant protein sources.

Practical applications

In recent years, plant protein has been increasingly developed as an aquatic feed source, but this has resulted in quality fluctuations for fish feed pellets. Sinking pellets require sufficient gelatinization but should avoid floating due to excessive swelling. Thus, it is important to control the parameters of the extrusion process during sinking feed production. Contrary to conventional laboratory studies, this study used a pilot extrusion line (capacity: 70–150 kg/hr) equipped with a steam adding preconditioner and an automatic data acquisition system for parameter optimization. Moreover, we defined satisfactory products through the targeted evaluation of key indicators such as water solubility and hydration time. The results of this study provide a reference for the industrial production of sinking feed with mixed plant proteins.
Measuring the serum level of retinol‐binding protein can enhance the treatment of recalcitrant warts
Authors: Khalid Hesham N. , Abd El Gayed Eman M. , Dawoud Rasha A. , Bazid Heba A. S.
Published: November 2020

Background

Warts are common benign (60%‐65%) self‐limited tumors of the epidermis caused by human papillomaviruses (HPVs). However, some warts fail to resolve despite of different treatments and become recalcitrant. Vitamin A has antiproliferative and antikeratinizing properties by which the disruption of HPV replication can be occurred. Concentrations of retinol‐binding protein (RBP) and retinol in the circulation highly correlate with each others.

Aim

To assess the serum level of RBP in patients with resistant warts to evaluate the possible role of retinol in the disease pathogenesis.

Patients

This case‐control study included 30 patients with resistant cutaneous warts (defined as failure of cure after conventional treatment as 12 weeks of salicylic acid application, 4 or more cycles of cryotherapy or electrocautery and/or other physical treatment modalities) and 30 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. RBP level in the serum was measured by ELISA.

Results

There was a significant difference between cases and controls regarding the level of serum RBP (P = .001). However, serum RBP level did not differ significantly regarding sociodemographic or clinical data (P > .05 each). RBP is a good biomarker for significant early detection and discrimination between cases and controls (P = .001) at a cutoff point < 563.3 mg/l with sensitivity (93%) and specificity (80%).

Conclusion

Low serum RBP level in our studied patients may suggest an important role of retinol in the resistant warts pathogenesis. Thus measuring serum RBP will help to identify patients who are going to have resistant warts in the future.
#HealthyDads: “Fit Fathering” Discourse and Digital Health Promotion in Dad Blogs
Authors: Scheibling Casey , Marsiglio William
Published: November 2020

Objective

This study examines the thematic content and social‐health orientation of fathers' online blogs about parenting, health, and fitness.

Background

Social media provide avenues for parents to contribute to public discourse about parenthood and to offer guidance on health‐related matters. Concerns about familial well‐being have been central to parenting discourse for ages, but little is known about how parents write and talk about health online. This knowledge gap is addressed by examining fathers' writing about health and fitness in blogs.

Method

A qualitative content analysis of 223 blog posts written by 40 fathers is presented. Blogs were analyzed for thematic patterns and categorized within a social health matrix of personal, interpersonal, community, and cultural health orientations.

Results

The findings illustrate four dominant themes: “becoming fit for fatherhood,” “how to keep kids healthy,” “the pros and cons of youth sports,” and “public health awareness and promotion.” Collectively, dad blogs are constructing fit fathering discourse that extends ideals for involved fatherhood and healthy masculinities.

Conclusion

Dad bloggers use social media for civic engagement and health promotion with the intent to spread awareness of men's health issues, refine fathering practices, and enhance familial well‐being. By mobilizing fit fathering discourse online and offline, they are creating a more nurturing culture of fatherhood and raising expectations for father involvement.
Application of pimaricin against potato white mould
Authors: Ojaghian Seyedmohammadreza , Delavarpoor Alieh , Zhang Jing‐Ze
Published: November 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of pimaricin against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal agent of potato white mould. Field trials in 2016 and 2017 were conducted in Bahar and Lalehjin, Hamedan, Iran. Pimaricin at the concentration of 200 mg/L was able to reduce the disease incidence during field trials. The concentration of 2.5 mg/L completely inhibited the radial growth and sclerogenesis of three tested isolates of S. sclerotiorum. In addition, pimaricin at the concentration of 2.5 mg/L reduced the carpogenic germination of sclerotia in isolates 1, 2 and 3 by 100%, 88.1% and 73.9%, respectively. Treatment with pimaricin at the concentration of 2 mg/L for 160 min enhanced relative conductivity of S. sclerotiorum mycelia up to 100%. The concentration of 2 mg/L increased the cell membrane permeability of mycelia more than the concentration of 1 mg/L over 160 min. Moreover, exposure to pimaricin at the concentration of 2 mg/L for 12 hr increased carbohydrate leakage of the pathogen mycelia up to 73%. Pimaricin at the concentration of 2 mg/L markedly increased the content of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) over time, and the highest content of MDA was recorded as 5.9 µmol/kg FW after 20 hr. The percentage of catalase activity was reduced in the pathogen mycelia by 4.1 U g−1 min−1 after exposure to pimaricin at the concentration of 2 mg/L for 20 min.
High‐mobility group box 1 released by traumatic occlusion accelerates bone resorption in the root furcation area in mice
Authors: Oyama Mika , Ukai Takashi , Yamashita Yasunori , Yoshimura Atsutoshi
Published: November 2020

Background and objective

Traumatic occlusion can cause bone resorption without bacterial infection. Although bone resorption in periodontitis has been relatively well studied, little is known about bone resorption by traumatic occlusion. High‐mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is released from damaged tissue and has been recently shown to promote bone resorption in a murine periodontitis model and may also promote bone resorption by traumatic occlusion. The present study aimed to examine whether HMGB1 accelerates bone resorption by traumatic occlusion in mice.

Materials and methods

Occlusal trauma was induced in the lower left first molar of mice by bonding a wire to the upper left first molar, and bone resorption and osteoclast formation were evaluated histochemically. The expression of HMGB1, Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4; the receptor for HMGB1), and receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL; an essential osteoclast differentiation factor) was evaluated immunohistologically. In addition, mice were administrated with an anti‐HMGB1‐neutralizing antibody to analyze the role of HMGB1.

Results

Bone resorption and osteoclast formation gradually increased until day 5 at the furcation area after the application of traumatic occlusion. Expression of HMGB1 was observed at the furcation area on day 1, but was attenuated by day 3. Expression of RANKL gradually increased until day 3, but was attenuated by day 5. Administration of anti‐HMGB1 antibody significantly reduced the number of osteoclasts and the expression of RANKL and TLR4 at the furcation area.

Conclusion

Release of HMGB1 in the root furcation area accelerated bone resorption by up‐regulating RANKL and TLR4 expression in mice with traumatic occlusion.
Maladaptive coping with the infodemic and sleep disturbance in the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Cheng Cecilia , Ebrahimi Omid V. , Lau Yan‐ching
Published: November 2020

COVID‐19 is caused by a novel virus with an unknown aetiology. People across the globe are dealing with not only a health crisis but also an ‘infodemic’, a term coined by the World Health Organization to refer to the avalanche of contradictory information that is arousing widespread confusion and anxiety. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of anxiety and sleep disturbance at the early stage of the pandemic, and unveil the information coping process underlying differential susceptibility to COVID‐19 infection anxiety and sleep disturbance. The participants were 1,270 adults (47% men, Mage = 42.82) from the UK and US who completed initial (Time 1) and follow‐up (Time 2) surveys from 16 to 22 March and 18 to 24 May 2020, respectively. The prevalence of probable clinically relevant anxiety was 61% and 45% at the first and second time points, and more than half of the participants in this anxiety group also reported mild to severe sleep disturbance. Moreover, 41% of the participants perceived themselves as not having enough COVID‐19‐related information and reported higher levels of COVID‐19 infection anxiety and sleep disturbance over time than those who perceived themselves as having enough of such information. Moderated mediation analysis identified two groups who were more vulnerable to both psychological problems: high blunters who sought COVID‐19‐related information online more frequently and high monitors who sought such information offline less frequently. These findings highlight the importance of a good match between information coping style and strategy deployment in dealing with an infodemic surrounding a novel disease.
Clinical features of muscle cramp in 14 dogs
Authors: Gagliardo Teresa , Ruggeri Roberta , Di Paola Andrea , Baroni Massimo , Cherubini Giunio B. , Gallucci Antonella , Falzone Cristian , Trimboli Stefania , Albul Andrey , Gandini Gualtiero
Published: November 2020

Background

Muscle cramps (MCs) are prolonged, involuntary, painful muscle contractions characterized by an acute onset and short duration, caused by peripheral nerve hyperactivity.

Objectives

To provide a detailed description of the clinical features and diagnostic findings in dogs affected by MCs.

Animals

Fourteen dogs.

Methods

Multicenter retrospective case series. Cases were recruited by a call to veterinary neurologists working in referral practices. Medical records and videotapes were searched for dogs showing MCs. The follow‐up was obtained by telephone communication with the owner and the referring veterinarian.

Results

Three patterns of presentation were identified depending on the number of affected limbs and presence/absence of migration of MCs to other limbs. In 9/14 (64%) of dogs, MCs were triggered by prompting the dogs to move. 8/14 (58%) dogs were overtly painful with 6/14 (42%) showing mild discomfort. The cause of MCs was hypocalcemia in 11/14 (79%) dogs: 9 dogs were affected by primary hypoparathyrodism, 1 dog by intestinal lymphoma and 1 dog by protein losing enteropathy. In 3/14 cases (21%) the cause was not identified, and all 3 dogs were German Shepherds.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Muscle cramps can manifest in 1 of 3 clinical patterns. Muscle cramps are elicited when dogs are encouraged to move and do not always appear as painful events, showing in some cases only discomfort. The main cause of MCs in this study was hypocalcemia consequent to primary hypoparathyroidism. In dogs having MCs of unknown etiology, idiopathic disease or paroxysmal dyskinesia could not be ruled out.
Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular size and systolic function in Warmblood horses using linear measurements, area‐based indices, and volume estimates: A retrospective database analysis
Authors: Berthoud Djamila , Schwarzwald Colin C.
Published: November 2020

Background

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) size and function using area‐based indices and volumetric estimates is not well established in horses.

Objective

To report reference intervals and measurement variability for uni‐, 2‐, and 3‐dimensional echocardiographic indices of LV size and systolic function in Warmblood horses and to provide proof of concept for allometric scaling of variables to body weight. Unidimensional indices were to be compared to area‐based indices and LV volume estimates to establish their clinical use.

Animals

Thirty healthy Warmblood horses and 70 Warmblood horses with a primary diagnosis of mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation.

Methods

Echocardiographic indices of LV size and systolic function were measured using an existing echocardiography database. Weight‐related variables were scaled to body weight (BWT). Reference intervals and measurement variability were calculated, the influence of valvular regurgitation on LV size and function was investigated and agreement between different variables for detection of reduced, normal, and increased LV size and systolic function was assessed.

Results

Reference values for healthy Warmblood horses were reported. Measurement variability was sufficiently low for clinical use of all variables. Allometric scaling was effective to correct diastolic LV dimensions and cardiac output for differences in BWT. Various echocardiographic indices resulted in different conclusions regarding identification of LV enlargement and systolic dysfunction in healthy horses and horses with valvular regurgitation.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Echocardiographic assessment of LV size and systolic function should include joint assessment of multiple uni‐ and multidimensional indices. Area‐based or volumetric indices that reflect LV long‐axis motion should be included.
Environment and pathogens shape local and regional adaptations to climate change in the chocolate tree, Theobroma cacao L.
Authors: Nelson Joel T. , Motamayor Juan C. , Cornejo Omar E.
Published: November 2020

Predicting the potential fate of a species in the face of climate change requires knowing the distribution of molecular adaptations across the geographic range of the species. In this work, we analysed 79 genomes of Theobroma cacao, an Amazonian tree known for the fruit from which chocolate is produced, to evaluate how local and regional molecular signatures of adaptation are distributed across the natural range of the species. We implemented novel techniques that incorporate summary statistics from multiple selection scans to infer selective sweeps. The majority of the molecular adaptations in the genome are not shared among populations. We show that ~71.5% of genes under selection also show significant associations with changes in environmental variables. Our results support the interpretation that these genes contribute to local adaptation of the populations in response to abiotic factors. We also found strong patterns of molecular adaptation in a diverse array of disease resistance genes (6.5% of selective sweeps), suggesting that differential adaptation to pathogens also contributes significantly to local adaptations. Our results are consistent with the interpretation that local selective pressures are more important than regional selective pressures in explaining adaptation across the range of a species.
Autonomous motivation explains interprofessional education outcomes
Authors: Ganotice Fraide A. , Gill Harinder , Fung John Tai Chun , Wong Janet K. T. , Tipoe George L.
Published: November 2020

Objectives

In response to the observations that interprofessional education (IPE) is seemingly atheoretical or under‐theorised, this quantitative research seeks to uncover students’ motivational mechanisms which could explain their behavioural and collaborative outcomes using self‐determination theory (SDT). While SDT has been studied in various contexts, its applicability to IPE remains underexplored. This study aims to integrate a new perspective in understanding students’ motivation in IPE by exploring how the fulfilment of a need for sense of autonomy, competence and relatedness is linked to desirable IPE outcomes.

Methods

Utilising quantitative methods, we involved 255 health care students in Hong Kong from the medical, nursing and pharmacy disciplines enrolled in IPE anticoagulation therapy module. They were invited to respond to the Psychological Need Satisfaction Questionnaire and other measures as part of the post‐test.

Results

Sense of autonomy emerged as the strongest positive predictor of behavioural (collective dedication, behavioural engagement) and collaboration outcomes (team effectiveness, goal achievement). There were no significant program‐level differences across these outcomes except for behavioural engagement for which nursing students had a higher perception than medicine students.

Conclusions

We were able to demonstrate that SDT is a meaningful framework in understanding behavioural and collaboration outcomes in IPE. The major theoretical contribution of this study refers to the ability of students’ motivation to explain variance in their behavioural outcomes. That is, sense of autonomy consistently predicted team effectiveness, collective dedication, behavioural engagement and goal achievement. Autonomous motivation among a sample of health care students can explain behavioural outcomes. Theoretical, methodological and practical implications are discussed.
RecA‐independent recombination: Dependence on the Escherichia coli RarA protein
Authors: Jain Kanika , Wood Elizabeth A. , Romero Zachary J. , Cox Michael M.
Published: November 2020

Most, but not all, homologous genetic recombination in bacteria is mediated by the RecA recombinase. The mechanistic origin of RecA‐independent recombination has remained enigmatic. Here, we demonstrate that the RarA protein makes a major enzymatic contribution to RecA‐independent recombination. In particular, RarA makes substantial contributions to intermolecular recombination and to recombination events involving relatively short (<200 bp) homologous sequences, where RecA‐mediated recombination is inefficient. The effects are seen here in plasmid‐based recombination assays and in vivo cloning processes. Vestigial levels of recombination remain even when both RecA and RarA are absent. Additional pathways for RecA‐independent recombination, possibly mediated by helicases, are suppressed by exonucleases ExoI and RecJ. Translesion DNA polymerases may also contribute. Our results provide additional substance to a previous report of a functional overlap between RecA and RarA.
Perioperative management of patients with Mucolipidosis II and III: Lessons from a case series
Authors: Scott‐Warren Victoria Louise , Walker Rob
Published: November 2020

Mucolipidosis (ML) II and III are complex lysosomal storage disorders characterized by progressive multisystem pathology which can pose challenges to the anesthetist and increase the risks associated with general anesthesia. We sought to review the management of patients with ML II and III undergoing anesthesia in our institution in order to better define recommendations for the preoperative assessment and optimization of these children. We further elected to analyze the conduct of anesthesia, intraoperative management, and perioperative complications that our patients had experienced in order to allow improved informed consent and anesthetic planning. We performed a retrospective examination of the medical notes of those patients who had undergone anesthesia in our institution to identify their clinical features, anesthetic technique, airway management, and perioperative complications. Five children underwent 11 episodes of anesthesia. Fiber‐optic or videolaryngoscopy was utilized in six out of seven intubations, with four out of seven requiring a change from the method initially chosen to enable intubation. Four of the five patients had an abnormal echocardiogram. Three patients had radiological evaluation of their cervical spine, with two demonstrating abnormalities. One patient had changes suggesting instability at the atlantoaxial junction. Children and babies with ML II and III present multisystem challenges to the anesthetist. Multidisciplinary planning and assessment, followed by a discussion of risk, should proceed any elective surgery. These complex children should undergo elective anesthesia delivered by an experienced (pediatric) anesthetist in an appropriate tertiary center with on‐site pediatric ENT and critical care support.
Distal‐type epitheloid sarcoma mimicking a wart in a child: A diagnosis not to be missed
Authors: George Kimberley , Morren Marie‐Anne , Christen Thierry , Letovanec Igor , Christen‐Zaech Stephanie
Published: November 2020

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare soft‐tissue tumor that occurs mainly in children and young adults. It typically presents as a subcutaneous or deep dermal mass in distal extremities. Due to its benign‐appearing clinical presentation, infrequent occurrence, and histologic similarities with other pathologies, the diagnosis of epithelioid sarcoma in its early stages can be extremely difficult and can be easily confused with benign lesions such as warts or foreign body granuloma. In this paper, we report the case of a 12‐year‐old boy with a distal‐type epithelioid sarcoma of the hand and wish to emphasize the difficulties of diagnosing this potentially lethal tumor both clinically and histologically.
Disseminated cutaneous tuberculosis from BCG vaccination site in an immunocompetent child
Authors: Dhar Sandipan , Ganjoo Shikhar , Dhar Subhra , Srinivas Sahana M.
Published: November 2020

A healthy 4‐month‐old girl presented with widespread scaly papules and a nodule over the site of BCG immunization. A diagnosis of disseminated cutaneous tuberculosis in an immunocompetent child was confirmed with biopsy. The child was treated with antituberculosis therapy without recurrence.
Dupilumab for pediatric prurigo nodularis: A case report
Authors: Fachler Tahel , Maria Faitataziadou Sofia , Molho‐Pessach Vered
Published: November 2020

Herein we report on a 9‐year‐old girl with recalcitrant prurigo nodularis unresponsive to multiple standard treatments. She was started on dupilumab therapy with rapid improvement in pruritus within 2 weeks and near complete regression of lesions at 3 months. Dupilumab should be considered as an off‐label treatment for refractory prurigo nodularis in children.
Acne and social media: A cross‐sectional study of content quality on TikTok
Authors: Zheng David X. , Ning Anne Y. , Levoska Melissa A. , Xiang Laura , Wong Christina , Scott Jeffrey F.
Published: November 2020

Our objective was to assess the quality of acne‐related medical information present on TikTok, the world's fastest growing social media platform. We queried the TikTok mobile application for videos tagged with “#acne” on May 1, 2020, and assessed the top 100 videos meeting inclusion criteria for content quality using DISCERN, a validated and reliable instrument for evaluating consumer health information. The mean content quality rating of videos was 2.03 (SD 0.47) which, according to the DISCERN instrument, indicates information with serious to potentially important shortcomings. Dermatologists should be aware that adolescents are using TikTok to gather acne‐related information, and should prioritize acne education in this patient demographic due to the generally low content quality of such information.