bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SARS‐CoV‐2 and its variants of concern including Omicron: A never ending pandemic
Authors: Mohapatra Ranjan K. , Kuppili Satwik , Kumar Suvvari Tarun , Kandi Venkataramana , Behera Ajit , Verma Sarika , Kudrat‐E‐Zahan  , Biswal Susanta K. , Al‐Noor Taghreed H. , El‐ajaily Marei M. , Sarangi Ashish K. , Dhama Kuldeep
Published: February 2022

The ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic caused by SARS‐CoV‐2 is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This zoonotic virus has emerged in Wuhan of China in December 2019 from bats and pangolins probably and continuing the human‐to‐human transmission globally since last two years. As there is no efficient approved treatment, a number of vaccines were developed at an unprecedented speed to counter the pandemic. Moreover, vaccine hesitancy is observed that may be another possible reason for this never ending pandemic. In the meantime, several variants and mutations were identified and causing multiple waves globally. Now the safety and efficacy of these vaccines are debatable and recommended to determine whether vaccines are able to interrupt transmission of SARS‐CoV‐2 variant of concern (VOC). Moreover, the VOCs continue to emerge that appear more transmissible and less sensitive to virus‐specific immune responses. In this overview, we have highlighted various drugs and vaccines used to counter this pandemic along with their reported side effects. Moreover, the preliminary data for the novel VOC “Omicron” are discussed with the existing animal models.
Metastatic risk profile of microscopic lymphatic and venous invasion in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Machens Andreas , Lorenz Kerstin , Dralle Henning
Published: February 2022

Objectives

The aim of this study was to define the suitability of microscopic lymphatic and venous invasion for prediction of lymph node and distant metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.

Design

Stratification by microscopic lymphatic and venous invasion, and multivariable analyses on lymph node and distant metastases including microscopic lymphatic and venous invasion as independent variables.

Setting

Tertiary referral centre.

Participants

422 patients who had ≥5 lymph nodes removed at initial thyroidectomy.

Main outcome measures

Lymph node and distant metastases.

Results

Patients with microscopic lymphatic invasion had larger primary tumours than patients without and more often revealed microscopic venous invasion, multifocal tumour growth and lymph node metastases. Patients with microscopic venous invasion exhibited larger primary tumours than patients without and more commonly had microscopic lymphatic invasion, poor tumour differentiation, lymph node metastases and distant metastases. Prediction of lymph node metastases by microscopic lymphatic invasion was better than prediction of distant metastases by microscopic venous invasion regarding sensitivity (61.0 vs. 33.3%) and positive predictive value (92.6 vs. 20.9%), comparable regarding specificity (89.6 and 93.4%), and worse regarding negative predictive value (51.9 vs. 95.3%) and accuracy (70.1 vs. 87.7%). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, microscopic lymphatic invasion was associated with lymph node metastasis (odds ratio [OR] 11.1) and multifocal tumour growth (OR 2.4), whereas primary tumour size (OR 5.8 for tumours >40 mm relative to tumours ≤20 mm) and multifocal tumour growth (OR 3.1) were associated with distant metastasis.

Conclusion

Stricter histopathological criteria are warranted to enhance the utility of microscopic vascular invasion for prediction of distant metastases in papillary thyroid cancer.
Outbreak of occupational allergic contact dermatitis from a smartphone screen protector glue
Authors: Herreros‐Montejano Francisca , Mowitz Martin , Heras‐Mendaza Felipe , Sanz‐Sánchez Tatiana , Gatica‐Ortega María Elena , López‐Mateos Ana , Valenzuela‐Oñate Cristian , Faura‐Berruga Cristina , Zaragoza‐Ninet Violeta , Bruze Magnus , Svedman Cecilia , Pastor‐Nieto María Antonia
Published: February 2022

Background

Sensitization to acrylates is a concern in the occupational/environmental dermatology field.

Objective

To describe an occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) outbreak from a smartphone screen protector glue.

Methods

Thirteen affected workers of a chain store selling phone screen protectors were investigated in five Spanish dermatology departments. The glue datasheet and label were assessed. A chemical analysis of the glue was performed. Based on this, some patients underwent additional testing.

Results

All patients (all female, mean age: 25) had severe fingertip dermatitis.

The datasheet/label indicated that the glue contained isobornyl acrylate (IBOA), a “photoinitiator” and polyurethane oligomer. The company informed us that the ingredients were polyurethane acrylate, “methacrylate” (unspecified), acrylic acid, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, propylmethoxy siloxane, and photoinitiator 184. Isobornyl acrylate (or IBOA) and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) were patch tested in eight and two cases, respectively, with negative results.

A chemical analysis revealed 4‐acryloylmorpholine (ACMO); isobornyl methacrylate (IBMA), and lauryl acrylate in one glue sample. Seven patients were patch tested with dilutions of the identified substances and six of seven were positive for ACMO 0.5% pet.

Conclusion

An outbreak of occupational ACD, likely from ACMO in a glue is described. Further investigations are needed to corroborate the role played by each compound identified in the chemical analyses.
Pregnancy outcomes after stoma surgery for inflammatory bowel disease: The results of a retrospective multicentre audit
Authors:   The PAPooSE Study Group*
Published: February 2022

Aim

There is a paucity of data on pregnancies in women with stomas due to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to assess stoma, IBD, obstetric and neonatal outcomes in pregnant patients with IBD and a stoma.

Method

Multicentre retrospective audit in 15 UK hospitals. Pregnancy, stoma and neonatal outcomes were elicited from routinely collected hospital records.

Results

Data on 82 pregnancies from 77 patients (mean age 31.4 years, 60.9% Crohn's disease, 35.4% ulcerative colitis, 3.6% IBD‐U) were included. Stoma types included ileostomy in 72 (88%) and colostomy in 10 (12%) women. There was one reported miscarriage, one still birth and 80 live births. Delivery occurred in 58 cases by caesarean section (CS), of which 44 were performed electively and 14 as emergency CS. The overall CS rate was 73%. Premature delivery before week 37 occurred in 19% and birth weight <2,500 g in 17%. Significant stoma related complications occurred during 20 (24%) pregnancies and included stoma prolapse in nine cases (2 required surgery), parastomal hernias in three cases (2 required surgery) and small bowel obstructions in seven cases (3 required surgery).

Conclusions

Pregnancy for women who previously had stoma formation for IBD is associated with higher rates of caesarean section and stoma complications. Future prospective studies should capture data, including patient reported outcomes, to gather a full picture on the impact of pregnancy after stoma surgery for IBD.
Donor‐reported barriers to living kidney donor follow‐up
Authors: Orandi Babak J. , Reed Rhiannon D. , Qu Haiyan , Owens Grace , Brooks Sydney , Killian A. Cozette , Kumar Vineeta , Sheikh Saulat S. , Cannon Robert M. , Anderson Douglas J. , Lewis Cora E. , Locke Jayme E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Despite regulations mandating follow‐up laboratory testing for living kidney donors, less than half of transplant centers are in compliance. We sought to understand barriers to follow‐up testing from the donors’ perspective.

Methods

We surveyed our center's living kidney donors. Binary logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with follow‐up testing completion.

Results

Of 185 living kidney donors, 110 (59.4%) participated. Among them, 82 (74.5%) completed 6‐month laboratory testing, 76 (69.1%) completed 12‐month testing, 68 (61.8%) completed both, and 21 (19.0%) completed neither. Six‐month testing completion was strongly associated with 12‐month testing completion (OR 9.74, 95%CI: 2.23‐42.50; p = .002). Those who disagreed with the statements, “Getting labs checked wasn't a priority for me,” (OR for completing 6‐month testing: 15.05, 95%CI: 3.70‐61.18; p < .001; OR for completing 12‐month testing: 5.85, 95%CI: 1.94‐17.63; p = .002); and, “I forgot to get labs drawn [until I was reminded]” (OR for completing 6‐month testing: 6.93, 95%CI: 1.59‐30.08; p = .01; OR for completing 12‐month testing: 6.55, 95%CI: 1.98‐21.63; p = .002) were more likely to complete testing.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the only study providing perspective on donor insights regarding the need for follow‐up testing post donation. Interventions to influence living donor attitudes toward follow‐up testing may improve follow‐up.
Risk of multiple myeloma and other malignancies among first‐ and second‐degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma: A population‐based study
Authors: Langseth Øystein O. , Myklebust Tor Å. , Johannesen Tom B. , Hjertner Øyvind , Waage Anders
Published: February 2022

Objectives

We conducted a population‐based study to assess the risk for multiple myeloma (MM) and other cancers in first‐ and second‐degree relatives of MM patients, and to investigate whether evidence of anticipation is present in familial MM.

Methods

We retrieved 24 845 first‐degree relatives and 41 008 second‐degree relatives of 7847 MM patients, and 86 984 first‐degree relatives, and 138 660 second‐degree relatives of 26 511 matched controls. A Cox model was used to assess the risk for MM and other cancers in relatives of MM patients. Anticipation was assessed by a Cox model, where all parents and offspring of MM patients were included in the risk set.

Results

In second‐degree relatives of MM patients, no overall significant association with an MM diagnosis was observed (HR 1.99; 95%CI:0.86–4.57). In parents and offspring of MM patients, we found no significant difference in the ages at onset of MM (HR 1.28;95% CI:0.50–3.28). In affected parent‐offspring pairs, we observed no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the generations (HR 0.74; 95%CI:0.20–2.69).

Conclusions

Overall, second‐degree relatives of MM patients were not associated with an increased risk for MM. Our study supports that genetic anticipation is not present in familial MM.
Stiripentol inhibits spike‐and‐wave discharges in animal models of absence seizures: A new mechanism of action involving T‐type calcium channels
Authors: Riban Veronique , Heulard Isabelle , Reversat Lucie , Si Hocine Hakim , Verleye Marc
Published: February 2022

Objective

Stiripentol (STP; Diacomit®) is an antiepileptic drug indicated for Dravet syndrome that has been identified as a γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) positive allosteric modulator. Dravet syndrome is characterized by multiple seizure types: generalized tonic–clonic, focal, myoclonic, and absence seizures. In addition to its antiepileptic effects on tonic–clonic seizures, STP has also been reported to reduce the frequency of atypical absence seizures in patients. Our study focused on STP potential effects on absence seizures, to better characterize its full spectrum of mechanisms of action.

Methods

STP effects on absence seizures were quantified by electroencephalographic recording in two animal models: rats treated with a low dose of pentylenetetrazol (20 mg/kg ip) and rats from the WAG/Rij strain. In addition, we characterized STP effects on T‐type calcium channel activity. Peak currents were recorded with manual patch clamp on cells transfected with cDNA encoding for the human isoform for Cav3.1, Cav3.2, and Cav3.3.

Results

STP administered before pentylenetetrazol almost completely abolished the generation of spike‐and‐wave discharges (SWDs) at the dose of 300 mg/kg. At this dose, STP also statistically significantly decreased SWD cumulated duration and number in WAG/Rij rats. Its antiepileptic effect was maintained in WAG/Rij rats, whose seizures were aggravated by the GABA agonist THIP (gaboxadol hydrochloride). Furthermore, electrophysiological recordings showed that STP inhibits T‐type calcium channel peak activity, with a higher specificity for the Cav3.3 subtype.

Significance

In addition to its previously characterized anticonvulsive properties, these data highlight a new mechanism of action of STP on abnormal thalamocortical activity. This strong antiabsence effect on seizures is correlated with an inhibition of T‐type calcium channels. This new mechanism of action could be implicated in the specificity of STP therapeutic effects in Dravet syndrome.
Structure and function of language networks in temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Binding Lawrence P. , Dasgupta Debayan , Giampiccolo Davide , Duncan John S. , Vos Sjoerd B.
Published: February 2022

Individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) may have significant language deficits. Language capabilities may further decline following temporal lobe resections. The language network, comprising dispersed gray matter regions interconnected with white matter fibers, may be atypical in individuals with TLE. This review explores the structural changes to the language network and the functional reorganization of language abilities in TLE. We discuss the importance of detailed reporting of patient's characteristics, such as, left‐ and right‐sided focal epilepsies as well as lesional and nonlesional pathological subtypes. These factors can affect the healthy functioning of gray and/or white matter. Dysfunction of white matter and displacement of gray matter function could concurrently impact their ability, in turn, producing an interactive effect on typical language organization and function. Surgical intervention can result in impairment of function if the resection includes parts of this structure‐function network that are critical to language. In addition, impairment may occur if language function has been reorganized and is included in a resection. Conversely, resection of an epileptogenic zone may be associated with recovery of cortical function and thus improvement in language function. We explore the abnormality of functional regions in a clinically applicable framework and highlight the differences in the underlying language network. Avoidance of language decline following surgical intervention may depend on tailored resections to avoid critical areas of gray matter and their white matter connections. Further work is required to elucidate the plasticity of the language network in TLE and to identify sub‐types of language representation, both of which will be useful in planning surgery to spare language function.
Accurate identification of EEG recordings with interictal epileptiform discharges using a hybrid approach: Artificial intelligence supervised by human experts
Authors: Kural Mustafa Aykut , Jing Jin , Fürbass Franz , Perko Hannes , Qerama Erisela , Johnsen Birger , Fuchs Steffen , Westover M. Brandon , Beniczky Sándor
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence (AI)–based algorithms for identifying the presence of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in routine (20‐min) electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.

Methods

We evaluated two approaches: a fully automated one and a hybrid approach, where three human raters applied an operational IED definition to assess the automated detections grouped into clusters by the algorithms. We used three previously developed AI algorithms: Encevis, SpikeNet, and Persyst. The diagnostic gold standard (epilepsy or not) was derived from video‐EEG recordings of patients' habitual clinical episodes. We compared the algorithms with the gold standard at the recording level (epileptic or not). The independent validation data set (not used for training) consisted of 20‐min EEG recordings containing sharp transients (epileptiform or not) from 60 patients: 30 with epilepsy (with a total of 340 IEDs) and 30 with nonepileptic paroxysmal events. We compared sensitivity, specificity, overall accuracy, and the review time‐burden of the fully automated and hybrid approaches, with the conventional visual assessment of the whole recordings, based solely on unrestricted expert opinion.

Results

For all three AI algorithms, the specificity of the fully automated approach was too low for clinical implementation (16.67%; 63.33%; 3.33%), despite the high sensitivity (96.67%; 66.67%; 100.00%). Using the hybrid approach significantly increased the specificity (93.33%; 96.67%; 96.67%) with good sensitivity (93.33%; 56.67%; 76.67%). The overall accuracy of the hybrid methods (93.33%; 76.67%; 86.67%) was similar to the conventional visual assessment of the whole recordings (83.33%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.48–91.70%; p > .5), yet the time‐burden of review was significantly lower (p < .001).

Significance

The hybrid approach, where human raters apply the operational IED criteria to automated detections of AI‐based algorithms, has high specificity, good sensitivity, and overall accuracy similar to conventional EEG reading, with a significantly lower time‐burden. The hybrid approach is accurate and suitable for clinical implementation.
Continental‐scale biomass redistribution by migratory birds in response to seasonal variation in productivity
Authors: Ng Wee Hao , Fink Daniel , La Sorte Frank A. , Auer Tom , Hochachka Wesley M. , Johnston Alison , Dokter Adriaan M.
Published: February 2022

Aim

Animal migration is often explained as the result of resource tracking in seasonally dynamic environments. Therefore, resource availability should influence both the distributions of migratory animals and their seasonal abundance. We examined the relationship between primary productivity and the spatio‐temporal distributions of migratory birds to assess the role of energy availability in avian migration.

Location

North America.

Time period

Full annual cycle, 2011–2016.

Major taxa studied

Nocturnally migrating landbirds.

Methods

We used observations of nocturnally migrating landbirds from the eBird community‐science programme to estimate weekly spatial distributions of total biomass, abundance and species richness. We related these patterns to primary productivity and seasonal productivity surplus estimated using a remotely sensed measure of vegetation greenness.

Results

All three avian metrics showed positive spatial associations with primary productivity, and this was more pronounced with seasonal productivity surplus. Surprisingly, biomass showed a weaker association than did abundance and richness, despite being a better indicator of energetic requirements. The strength of associations varied across seasons, being the weakest during migration. During spring migration, avian biomass increased ahead of vegetation green‐up in temperate regions, a pattern also previously described for herbivorous waterfowl. In the south‐eastern USA, spring green‐up was instead associated with a net decrease in biomass, and winter biomass greatly exceeded that of summer, highlighting the region as a winter refuge for short‐distance migrants.

Main conclusions

Although instantaneous energy availability is important in shaping the distribution of migratory birds, the stronger association of productivity with abundance and richness than with biomass suggests the role of additional drivers unrelated to energetic requirements that are nonetheless correlated with productivity. Given recent reports of widespread North American avifaunal declines, including many common species that winter in the south‐eastern USA, understanding how anthropogenic activities are impacting winter bird populations in the region should be a research priority.
Desert lizard diversity worldwide: Effects of environment, time, and evolutionary rate
Authors: Tejero‐Cicuéndez Héctor , Tarroso Pedro , Carranza Salvador , Rabosky Daniel L.
Published: February 2022

Aim

Biodiversity is not uniformly distributed across the Earth’s surface, even among physiographically comparable biomes in different biogeographic regions. For lizards, the world’s large desert regions are characterized by extreme heterogeneity in species richness, spanning some of the most species‐rich (arid Australia) and species‐poor (central Asia) biomes overall. Regional differences in species diversity may arise as a consequence of the interplay of several factors (e.g., evolutionary time, diversification rate, environment), but their relative importance for biogeographic patterns remains poorly known. Here we use distributional and phylogenetic data to assess the evolutionary and ecological drivers of large‐scale variation in desert lizard diversity.

Location

Deserts worldwide.

Major taxa studied

Lizards (non‐snake squamates).

Methods

We specifically test whether diversity patterns are best explained by differences in the ages of arid‐adapted lineages (evolutionary time hypothesis), by regional variation in speciation rate, by geographic area of the arid systems, and by spatial variation related to environment (climate, topography, and productivity).

Results

We found no effect of recent speciation rate and geographic area on differences in desert lizard diversity. We demonstrate that the extreme species richness of the Australian deserts cannot be explained by greater evolutionary time, because species began accumulating more recently there than in more species‐poor arid regions. We found limited support for relationships between regional lizard richness and environmental variables, but these effects were inconsistent across deserts, showing a differential role of the environment in shaping the lizard diversity in different arid regions.

Main conclusions

Our results provide evidence against several classic hypotheses for interregional variation in species richness, but also highlight the complexity of processes underlying vertebrate community richness in the world’s great arid systems.
Research on high‐temperature creep properties of Al2O3‐MgAl2O4 refractory
Authors: Li Ren‐jun , Zhang Ling
Published: February 2022

In this study, the Al2O3‐MgAl2O4 refractory samples were prepared with tabular alumina and fused magnesia‐alumina spinel as the raw materials. A creep resistance test was performed at 1400°C and studied. The tested samples after the creep resistance test were characterized and analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy to investigate the effect of adding the amount and particle size of MgAl2O4 on high‐temperature creep resistance of Al2O3‐MgAl2O4 refractory, as well as its mechanism. As indicated by the results, under the same amount of spinel added, the sample with 3‐1 mm spinel had higher creep resistance than the sample with 1‐0 mm spinel. In the creep test, spinel aggregates would react with the alumina matrix to form a secondary spinel layer around the spinel particles, thereby connecting the matrix and the aggregates and improving the creep resistance of the specimens. As clearly indicated by the observed result of the microstructure, in the formation of the secondary spinel layer, Mg2+ had a higher migration rate and showed the secondary spinel layer's higher thickness ratio on both sides of the reaction interface, which would induce the Kirkendall effect. Accordingly, considerable pores generated and accumulating at the interface tended to reduce the creep resistance of the material, and this effect was highly dependent on the size of the spinel and the activation solid solution reaction intensity.
Characteristics of CaZrO3material prepared by in situ decomposition pore forming technology
Authors: Wang Fangzhou , Wei Yaowu , Wei Jiawei , Li Bingrong , Xiao Junli , Chen Junfeng , Li Nan
Published: February 2022

CaZrO3samples were prepared by in situ decomposition pore forming technology in this paper. The influence of calcia/zirconia molar ratio and heating treatment on the microstructure and thermal conductivity of the sintered samples were investigated. The phase analysis of CaZrO3samples was detected by X‐ray diffraction, and the microscopic morphology of CaZrO3was observed by scanning electron microscope combined with energy dispersive spectrometer for microzone composition analysis. The results showed that a satisfied CaZrO3sample could be obtained by in situ decomposition pore forming technology with calcium/zirconium molar ratio of 1:1.02. The CaZrO3grains were developed better when the samples were preheated at 200°C first and then heated at 1600°C for 3 h. The apparent porosity of CaZrO3samples were increased to 28.5%, and the thermal conductivity reduced to 1.219 W/(m·K) compared with the heavy CaZrO3samples, which could be used as CaZrO3refractory aggregates with the lower thermal conductivity.
Esculin hydrolysis negative and TcdA-only producing strains of Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile from the environment in Western Australia
Authors: Shivaperumal Nirajmohan , Knight Daniel R. , Imwattana Korakrit , Androga Grace O. , Chang Barbara J. , Riley Thomas V.
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims

Clostridium (Clostridiodes) difficile clade 3 ribotype (RT) 023 strains that fail to produce black colonies on bioMérieux ChromID agar have been reported, as well as variant strains of C. difficile that produce only toxin A. We have recently isolated strains of C. difficile from the environment in Western Australia (WA) with similar characteristics. The objective of this study was to characterize these strains. It was hypothesized that a putative β-glucosidase gene was lacking in these strains of C. difficile, including RT 023, leading to white colonies.

Methods and Results

A total of 17 environmental isolates of C. difficile from garden soil and compost, and gardening shoe soles in Perth, WA, failed to produce black colonies on ChromID agar. MALDI-TOF MS analysis confirmed these strains as C. difficile. Four strains contained only a tcdA gene (A+B−CDT−) by PCR and were a novel RT (QX 597). All isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested except one with low-level resistance to clindamycin (MIC = 8 mg/L). The four tcdA-positive strains were motile. All isolates contained neither bgl locus but only bgl K or a putative β-glucosidase gene by PCR. Whole-genome sequencing showed the 17 strains belonged to novel multi-locus sequence types 632, 848, 849, 850, 851, 852 and 853, part of the evolutionarily divergent clade C-III. Four isolates carried a full-length tcdA but not tcdB nor binary toxin genes.

Conclusions

ChromID C. difficile agar is used for the specific detection of C. difficile in the samples. To date, all strains except RT 023 strains from clinical samples hydrolyse esculin. This is the first report to provide insights into the identification of esculin hydrolysis negative and TcdA-only producing (A+B−CDT−) strains of C. difficile from environmental samples.

Significance and Impact of the Study

White colonies of C. difficile from environmental samples could be overlooked when using ChromID C. difficile agar, leading to false-negative results, however, whether these strains are truly pathogenic remains to be proven.
New phylogenetic insights into the African catfish families Mochokidae and Austroglanididae
Authors: Schedel Frederic D. B. , Chakona Albert , Sidlauskas Brian L. , Popoola Michael O. , Usimesa Wingi Nadine , Neumann Dirk , Vreven Emmanuel J. W. M. N. , Schliewen Ulrich K.
Published: February 2022

Several hundred catfish species (order: Siluriformes) belonging to 11 families inhabit Africa, of which at least six families are endemic to the continent. Although four of those families are well‐known to belong to the ‘Big‐Africa clade’, no previous study has addressed the phylogenetic placement of the endemic African catfish family Austroglanididae in a comprehensive framework with molecular data. Furthermore, interrelationships within the ‘Big‐Africa clade’, including the most diverse family Mochokidae, remain unclear. This study was therefore designed to help reconstruct inter‐ and intrarelationships of all currently valid mochokid genera, to infer their position within the ‘Big Africa clade’ and to establish a first molecular phylogenetic hypothesis of the relationships of the enigmatic Austroglanididae within the Siluriformes. We assembled a comprehensive mitogenomic dataset comprising all protein coding genes and representing almost all recognized catfish families (N = 33 of 39) with carefully selected species (N = 239). We recovered the monophyly of the previously identified multifamily clades ‘Big Asia’ and ‘Big Africa’ and determined Austroglanididae to be closely related to Pangasiidae, Ictaluroidea and Ariidae. Mochokidae was recovered as the sister group to a clade encompassing Auchenoglanididae, Claroteidae, Malapteruridae and the African Schilbeidae, albeit with low statistical support. The two mochokid subfamilies Mochokinae and Chiloglanidinae as well as the chiloglanid tribe Atopochilini were recovered as reciprocally monophyletic. The genus Acanthocleithron forms the sister group of all remaining Mochokinae, although with low support. The genus Atopodontus is the sister group of all remaining Atopochilini. In contrast to morphological reconstructions, the monophyly of the genus Chiloglanis was strongly supported in our analysis, with Chiloglanis macropterus nested within a Chiloglanis sublineage encompassing only other taxa from the Congo drainage. This is an important result because the phylogenetic relationships of C. macropterus have been controversial in the past, and because we and other researchers assumed that this species would be resolved as sister to most or all other members of Chiloglanis. The apparent paraphyly of Synodontis with respect to Microsynodontis provided an additional surprise, with Synodontis punu turning out to be the sister group of the latter genus.
Cause of increased size of acipenseriform eggs infected with Polypodium hydriforme
Authors: Judd Timothy M. , Tripp Sara J. , Herzog David P.
Published: February 2022

Eggs of acipenseriform fish infected with the parasite Polypodium hydriforme become enlarged during later stages of development. This study examined if the increase in size is due to the increase in nutrients or water in the infected eggs and if the polypodium eggs affect the nutrient levels of the neighbouring eggs in the ovary. Infected and uninfected eggs were collected from parasitized Paddlefish, Polyodon spathula, hosts and unparasitized individuals. Levels of water, protein, carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids were determined for each egg. Although there were nutritional differences between eggs infected with P. hydriforme and uninfected eggs there was no indication that there was an increase in resource allocation to the infected eggs. The amount of water was much higher in infected eggs, suggesting the size increase was due to a greater influx of water. Levels of free amino acids were much higher in infected eggs and we hypothesize they could be used to increase the solute concentration to increase the influx of water, a mechanism that is also used by marine teleosts.
First report on the occurrence of white spot syndrome virus, infectious myonecrosis virus and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei in Penaeus vannamei reared in freshwater systems
Authors: Suryakodi Selvam , Nafeez Ahmed Abdul , Badhusha Allahbagash , Santhosh Kumar Shanmugam , Sivakumar Selvam , Abdul Majeed Seepoo , Taju Gani , Rahamathulla Syed , Sahul Hameed Azeez Sait
Published: February 2022

Samples of white leg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, were collected on a monthly basis from freshwater ponds with the salinity of 0 ppt located at Tiruvannamalai and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu, India for screening of viral and fungal pathogens. Totally, 130 shrimp samples were collected from 67 freshwater ponds and screened for white spot syndrome virus (WSSV), infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV), infectious hypodermal and haematopoietic necrosis virus (IHHNV) and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP) by PCR and RT‐PCR using pathogen‐specific primers. Among the samples screened, one sample was found to be positive to WSSV, two samples showed positive to IMNV and two samples positive for EHP. No sample showed positive to IHHNV. The WSSV detected in the sample was found to be a new strain of WSSV and highly virulent. The inoculum prepared from freshwater reared WSSV or IMNV‐infected shrimp caused 100% mortality in experimental infection studies. The PCR and RT‐PCR results revealed the presence of WSSV and IMNV in different organs of experimentally infected shrimp, respectively. No clinical signs were observed in experimentally EHP‐injected shrimp, although the PCR results revealed the presence of EHP in experimentally infected shrimp.
Evaluation of skin tissue effects from treatment with a novel hand‐held plasma energy device
Authors: Holcomb John David , Kalhan Rachna , Pilcher Brian
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Plasma IQ™, the first FDA‐cleared hand‐held plasma energy device, is indicated for removal and destruction of skin lesions and coagulation of tissue. Treatment involves use of an electrostatic plasma spark to heat the skin and create discrete microthermal wounds.

Methods

Microthermal wounds on pre‐auricular and upper eyelid skin from two individual subjects were created using multiple treatment parameters to assess the impacts of power, pulse duration and needle electrode type on wound depth, width and thermal spread, and analyzed using histology to characterize treatment effects.

Results

Device power had a statistically significant impact on upper eyelid skin microthermal wound depth and width (2‐sided t‐test p < 0.0001 for both) but not on thermal spread (p = 0.1171). No meaningful differences in wound width, depth, or thermal spread were observed based on pulse duration or electrode type. All microthermal wounds demonstrated dual zones of tissue injury and extended to the superficial reticular dermis.

Conclusion

Treatment with the Plasma IQ™ device creates focal microthermal wounds of reproducible depth and width that are comprised of dual thermal injury zones similar to other plasma energy skin rejuvenation devices. Device power is the most important factor determining microthermal wound depth and width.
Management and prognosis of HIV‐associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: 20 Years of evidence from the REHAP registry
Authors: Salvador María Lázaro , Rodríguez‐Padial Luis , Soto Abánades Clara , Cruz Utrilla Alejandro , Barberá Mir Joan Albert , López‐Meseguer Manuel , Segovia Cubero Javier , Samper Gustavo Juan , Blanco Vich Isabel , Escribano‐Subías Pilar ,   REHAP,   investigators
Published: February 2022

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an independent predictor of death in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV is the leading cause of PAH (HIV‐PAH) worldwide.

Aims

We described the characteristics, treatment patterns, and prognosis of a cohort of HIV‐PAH patients and compared them with those of an equivalent cohort of patients with idiopathic/familial PAH (IPAH/FPAH).

Methods

We retrospectively analysed and compared the demographic, clinical, and treatment data from patients with HIV‐PAH and those with IPAH/FPAH in the Spanish PAH registry (REHAP) from 1998 to 2018. The HIV‐PAH overall survival (OS) rate up to 5 years was compared to the age‐ and sex‐matched IPAH/FPAH population. Changes in treatment patterns in patients with HIV‐PAH after 2010 and their effects on OS were also analysed.

Results

Compared to those with IPAH/FPAH (n = 739), patients with HIV‐PAH (n = 132) were younger, mainly men, and had a better functional status. The clinical presentation, haemodynamics, and respiratory function were similar between the groups. Parenteral drug use was the most common mode of HIV transmission. Approximately 11% of patients with HIV‐PAH did not receive PAH‐targeted therapy. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted 5‐year OS rate from diagnosis was 74.0% for patients with HIV‐PAH and 68.7% for those with IPAH (p < 0.159). During/after 2010, 23% of patients with IPAH/FPAH received upfront dual oral combination, while oral monotherapy remained the main first‐line treatment in patients with HIV‐PAH. The overall OS rate remained stable.

Conclusions

Patients with HIV‐PAH were predominantly young men. The short‐term prognosis is similar to that of age‐ and sex‐matched patients with IPAH/FPAH, despite a better functional status. Oral monotherapy remains the preferred first‐line treatment in the current cohorts.
Central nervous system zoning: How brain barriers establish subdivisions for CNS immune privilege and immune surveillance
Authors: Proulx Steven T. , Engelhardt Britta
Published: February 2022

The central nervous system (CNS) coordinates all our body functions. Neurons in the CNS parenchyma achieve this computational task by high speed communication via electrical and chemical signals and thus rely on a strictly regulated homeostatic environment, which does not tolerate uncontrolled entry of blood components including immune cells. The CNS thus has a unique relationship with the immune system known as CNS immune privilege. Previously ascribed to the presence of blood–brain barriers and the lack of lymphatic vessels in the CNS parenchyma prohibiting, respectively, efferent and afferent connections with the peripheral immune system, it is now appreciated that CNS immune surveillance is ensured by cellular and acellular brain barriers that limit immune cell and mediator accessibility to specific compartments at the borders of the CNS. CNS immune privilege is established by a brain barriers anatomy resembling the architecture of a medieval castle surrounded by two walls bordering a castle moat. Built for protection and defense this two‐walled rampart at the outer perimeter of the CNS parenchyma allows for accommodation of different immune cell subsets and efficient monitoring of potential danger signals derived from inside or outside of the CNS parenchyma. It enables effective mounting of immune responses within the subarachnoid or perivascular spaces, while leaving the CNS parenchyma relatively undisturbed. In this study, we propose that CNS immune privilege rests on the proper function of the brain barriers, which allow for CNS immune surveillance but prohibit activation of immune responses from the CNS parenchyma unless it is directly injured.
Informed Consent from a Historical, Societal, Ethical, Legal, and Practical Perspective
Authors: Jameson Lee M. , Al‐Tarawneh Sandra K.
Published: February 2022

Informed consent is often perceived as a regulatory obligation without recognizing its educational potential in the dynamic provider/patient relationship. This article discusses the complex interaction of ethics, society, and law through a historical and practical perspective. The purpose is to provide general dentists and specialists with a comprehensive understanding of the complexity and practical dimensions of informed consent.
Synthesizing contemporary integrative interpersonal theory and the narrative identity approach to examine personality dynamics and regulatory processes
Authors: Dunlop William L. , Lind Majse , Hopwood Christopher J.
Published: February 2022

Objective

The goal of this paper is to promote the integration of two approaches to personality and assessment: Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory (CIIT) and the Narrative Identity Approach (NI).

Methods

We review CIIT and NI, describe their similarities and differences, and articulate opportunities to integrate the approaches to more fully account for personality dynamics and self‐regulation.

Results

We identify several areas within which concepts from CIIT and NI could be synthesized and offer four concrete suggestions for integrating the assessment methods within each approach: (1) using narratives to explicate interpersonal perception, (2) using stories to clarify interpersonal context, (3), using the Interpersonal Situation as a framework for unpacking narrative elements, and (4) coding interpersonal sequences in narrative data.

Conclusions

CIIT and NI have potential to augment one another both theoretically and methodologically in ways that would be fruitful for conceptualizing and studying personality dynamics and self‐regulation.
Can the State Make you More Religious? Evidence from Turkish Experience
Authors: Çokgezen Murat
Published: February 2022

This paper first evaluates the impact of a two‐decade‐long Islamization policy carried out by a pro‐Islamist party, which came to power in 2002 in Turkey, on the attitudes of Turkish people toward religious values, religious practices, and clergy. In this regard, how the importance of religion, frequency of going to mosques, and trust in the clergy have changed among Turkish Muslims between 2002 and 2018 were examined by using World Values Survey data and employing logistic regression analysis. Estimation results indicated a reduction in belief in God, attendance to mosques, and trust in clergy, which imply the failure of the Islamization policy. Second, we explored what caused the failure by using the same data set and methodology. Our estimations suggested that the symbiotic relationship between the pro‐Islamist government and religious clergy and institutions may explain the failure. As the government is identified with religion in the eye of the public, dissatisfaction with the government turned to dissatisfaction with religious values.
Texture of extruded breakfast cereals: Effects of adding milk on the texture properties and on the correlations between instrumental and sensory analyses
Authors: Dias‐Faceto Liara Silva , Conti‐Silva Ana Carolina
Published: February 2022

The effect of adding milk on the structure and texture properties of six commercial extruded breakfast cereals was evaluated using instrumental (mechanical and acoustic) and sensory analyses, as well as the correlations between such measurements. Adding milk reduced the force and acoustic properties of the breakfast cereals and affected sensory acceptance, improving or damaging the texture attribute acceptance depending on the product. Regarding sensory and instrumental correlations, the guillotine Blade Set probe stood out for correlations between instrumental and sensory (both descriptive and acceptance) results, followed by the Kramer probe that provided correlations with sensory acceptance. All correlations were positive except for the intensity of adhesiveness, which means that the intensity of adhesiveness was the most critical attribute for the acceptance of breakfast cereals when milk is added. In conclusion, adding milk impacted the texture properties of breakfast cereals and the definition of the best probe to be used depends on the sensory characteristic to be evaluated and, also, on whether milk is added or not.
Camouflage by counter‐brightness: the blue wings of Morpho dragonflies Zenithoptera lanei (Anisoptera: Libellulidae) match the water background
Authors: Cezário R. R. , Gorb S. N. , Guillermo‐Ferreira R.
Published: February 2022

Bright iridescent colours are widespread in several aquatic and terrestrial animal taxa and are usually involved in intraspecific communication and/or predator avoidance. Camouflage by iridescence may be one strategy to avoid predators when the animal exhibits bright colours that match the brightness of its surroundings. Hence, animal structural colouration may have a “brightness matching” or “counter‐brightness” function when observed against bright or glossy backgrounds. Here, we addressed the role of such counter‐brightness effect of the iridescent wings of the Morpho dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei for avoiding detection. We hypothesized that the bright reflectance of the dragonfly wings is cryptic against the bright water surface and the glossy vegetation where they naturally occur, protecting the dragonfly from visually oriented predators, deceiving prey and signalling to conspecifics when desired. We addressed whether (1) the iridescent colours of Z. lanei wings function as a visual strategy to reduce their wing detectability by brightness matching the background and (2) the detectability of wings against vegetation and water varies according to the observer. For this, we modelled how conspecifics, dipteran prey and predatory birds see the odonate wings against the vegetation of the Neotropical Savannah and against the water surface where the dragonflies perch. Our results suggest that Z. lanei dragonflies can avoid detection by predators, prey and conspecifics when perched on their natural habitats (i.e., ponds) against the bright background of the water surface. Here, we add evidence to the multifunctionality of structural colours in animals and the function of iridescence in camouflage. The bright iridescence and ultraviolet reflective nanostructures of Z. lanei wings when coupled with striking behavioural displays may provide a dynamic and safe intraspecific communication channel.
Limited temporal response of Cerrado mammals to anthropogenic pressure in areas under distinct levels of protection
Authors: Ferreira G. B. , Newbold T. , Oliveira M. J. R. , Pringle H. , Pinheiro M. S. , de Pinho F. F. , Carbone C. , Rowcliffe M.
Published: February 2022

Anthropogenic pressure has well‐documented effects on the spatial distribution of biodiversity but it can also have more subtle effects on wildlife, influencing the time of the day and for how long animals are active. These temporal effects have not received much attention from the scientific and conservation community, despite activity being intrinsically related to crucial aspects in an animal's life. Here we use data from a large‐scale camera trap survey (517 survey sites covering more than 1000 km2) conducted in areas under distinct levels of protection in the Brazilian Cerrado to investigate the effect of anthropogenic pressure on the activity of mammal species >1 kg. We used both circular statistics and GLMMs to investigate whether species would shift activity towards the night in response to disturbance, resulting in a decrease of diurnal activity in areas under lower protection levels and closer to households. Our results revealed that most species investigated did not show a temporal response to anthropogenic pressure, with only two species responding in the way we expected: tamanduas reduced the probability of daytime activity closer to households and collared peccaries reduced diurnal activity slightly in areas under lower protection levels. Our findings also suggest that environmental factors have a greater influence on species' activity than indicators of pressure in the mosaic of protected areas studied. Although stricter levels of habitat protection are known to have a positive and strong influence on the spatial distribution of many mammal species in the study region, we showed here that human pressure has only a modest effect on the period these species were active. This limited temporal response highlights the need for large natural areas under low disturbance that allow mammal species to respond spatially to threats.
Individual Variations in the Mastery of Discourse Connectives from Teenage Years to Adulthood
Authors: Tskhovrebova Ekaterina , Zufferey Sandrine , Gygax Pascal
Published: February 2022

Many connectives, such as therefore and however, are used very frequently in the written modality. Their acquisition thus represents an important milestone in developing written language competences. In this article, we assess the development of competence with such connectives by native French speakers in a sentence‐level insertion task (N = 307, aged 12 to 64) and a text‐level insertion task (N = 172, aged 13 to 71). Our results indicate that, despite a general progression in the level of competence with age, the academic level of participants is a strong predictor of competence within each age group, even during adulthood. In addition, from the age of 12, competence is related to the frequency of connectives in naturalistic data, with frequent connectives systematically mastered better than less frequent ones. Finally, in all age groups, the use and understanding of connectives is more challenging when sentences to complete are embedded within a richer context than when presented alone.