bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blending group-based psychoeducation with a smartphone intervention for the reduction of depressive symptoms: results of a randomized controlled pilot study
Authors: Lukas Christian Aljoscha , Berking Matthias
Published: February 2021

Background

Given their ubiquity and technological facilities, smartphone-based interventions (SBIs) hold potential to support the cost-effective dissemination of evidence-based treatments for depression. As technologically enriched, blended approach–avoidance modification trainings (AAMTs) have recently been shown effective for symptom reduction in various mental health problems, we developed a blended SBI combining group-based psychoeducation and 14 days of app training utilizing principles from AAMT to reduce depressive symptoms.

Methods

In this pilot trial, N = 16 individuals with heightened depression scores were randomized to either an intervention group using the mentalis Phoenix app or a wait list control condition. As outcomes, we descriptively explored usability of the app, engagement with the intervention, and possible reductions of depressive symptoms.

Results

Data analyses suggest that the SBI tested in this pilot trial possesses high usability, is frequently engaged with, and reduces depressive symptoms in participants in the intervention group when compared to wait list controls.

Conclusions

This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that an SBI utilizing AAMT can reduce depressive symptoms. Future studies should replicate these findings using larger samples and disentangle possible mechanisms of change.

Trial registration

DRKS-ID: DRKS00021613 (retrospectively registered).
Design and evaluation of a positive intervention to cultivate mental health: preliminary findings
Authors: Gorbeña Susana , Govillard Leila , Gómez Ignacio , Sarrionandia Sare , Macía Patricia , Penas Patricia , Iraurgi Ioseba
Published: February 2021

The past two decades have witnessed a proliferation of positive psychological interventions for clinical and non-clinical populations, and recent research, including meta-analyses, is providing evidence of its effectiveness. Most interventions have focused on increasing life satisfaction, positive affect, and psychological well-being. Manualized, multi-component interventions based on a comprehensive theory are scarce. Keyes’ concept of mental health and flourishing (subjective, psychological, and social well-being) is an overarching theoretical framework to guide the design of a multi-component psychological intervention to cultivate well-being and personal development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to design a theory-driven positive intervention and to pilot test the intervention. The manual presents an 8-week group program that includes homework activities. A sample of 56 young adults completed the intervention. Participants were assessed at base line, after termination, and at a 6-month follow-up session. Standardized instruments were used to assess the dimensions of mental health proposed by Keyes. Pre- and post-test measures of subjective, psychological, and social well-being showed significant differences, as did the total mental health scores. At 6-month follow-up, differences remained in subjective and psychological well-being and in positive mental health, with smaller effect sizes. Limitations of these preliminary findings as well as future lines of research and improvements in this manualized intervention are proposed in the light of current research on positive interventions.
The relationship of fear of movement with pain, range of motion and function in patients with shoulder pathologies
Authors: Özden Fatih , Tuğay Nazan , Karaman Özgür Nadiye , Kilinç Cem Yalın , Tuğay Baki Umut
Published: February 2021

Background

The pain, fear of movement, and disability are interrelated parameters that may adversely affect the individual in terms of medical and social aspects. This relationship has not been well studied in shoulder pathologies. We carried out a single-center cross-sectional study in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between pain, function range of motion (ROM), and fear of movement in patients with shoulder pain.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 53.7 ± 11.2 years. Symptom duration was 11.65 ± 23.39 months. Most of the subjects (66.7%) had impingement syndrome. There was a weak to moderate negative correlation between both visual analog scale (VAS) and Oxford Shoulder Score (OSS) with flexion, abduction, external rotation ROM values (r1 = − 0.293, r2 = − 0.348, r3 = − 0.330, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a weak negative correlation between Tampa Kinesiophobia Score (TKS) and ROM values of abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation (r1 = − 0.273, r2 = − 0.207, r3 = − 0.250, p < 0.05). Pain was weakly and positively correlated with OSS (r = 0.209, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

According to our results, shoulder pain was associated with functionality, but fear of movement was not associated with shoulder pain or functionality. ROM was associated with both pain, functionality, and fear of movement.
Perinatal mental health around the world: priorities for research and service development in Norway
Authors: Høivik Magnhild Singstad , Eberhard-Gran Malin , Wang Catharina Elisabeth Arfwedson , Dørheim Signe Karen
Published: February 2021

Despite the country's generous social welfare systems, perinatal mental health problems are prevalent in Norway. National guidelines recommend that health services identify women with perinatal mental conditions, but systematic screening and clear treatment pathways are not nationally endorsed, neither are recommendations for evaluating and treating possible parent–infant interaction difficulties of affected mothers. There are no subspecialties in perinatal psychiatry or psychology, hence healthcare personnel often lack expertise about perinatal mental health. To safeguard the mental health of infants and parents, we need to establish systematic communication between primary healthcare professionals, as well as between primary- and secondary-level professionals.
Coronary Vasculature and Myocardial Structure in HIV: Physiologic Insights From the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
Authors: Srinivasa Suman , Thomas Teressa S , Feldpausch Meghan N , Adler Gail K , Grinspoon Steven K
Published: February 2021

The landscape of HIV medicine dramatically changed with the advent of contemporary antiretroviral therapies, which has allowed persons with HIV (PWH) to achieve good virologic control, essentially eliminating HIV-related complications and increasing life expectancy. As PWH are living longer, noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), have become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in PWH with rates that are 50% to 100% higher than in well-matched persons without HIV. In this review, we focus on disease of the coronary microvasculature and myocardium in HIV. We highlight a key hormonal system important to cardiovascular endocrinology, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), as a potential mediator of inflammatory driven-vascular and myocardial injury and consider RAAS blockade as a physiologically targeted strategy to reduce CVD in HIV.
Second-Trimester Placental and Thyroid Hormones Are Associated With Cognitive Development From Ages 1 to 3 Years
Authors: Adibi Jennifer J , Xun Xiaoshuang , Zhao Yaqi , Yin Qing , LeWinn Kaja , Bush Nicole R , Panigrahy Ashok , Peddada Shyamal , Alfthan Henrik , Stenman Ulf-Håkan , Tylavsky Frances , Koistinen Hannu
Published: February 2021

Adequate maternal thyroid hormone (TH) is necessary for fetal brain development. The role of placental human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in ensuring the production of TH is less well understood. The objective of the study was to evaluate 1) associations of placental hCG and its subunits, and maternal TH in the second trimester, and 2) the single and joint effects of TH and placental hormones on cognitive development and communication at ages 1 and 3 years. Fifty individuals (5%) were selected from the CANDLE (Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Early Learning) pregnancy cohort in Memphis, Tennessee, with recruitment from 2006 to 2011, to equally represent male and female fetuses. Participants were 68% Black and 32% White. Hormones measured were maternal thyroid (thyrotropin [TSH] and free thyroxine [FT4]) and placental hormones (hCG, its hyperglycosylated form [hCG-h], and free α- [hCGα] and β-subunits [hCGβ]) in maternal serum (17-28 weeks). The primary outcome measurement was the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. All forms of hCG were negatively associated with FT4 and not associated with TSH. hCGα was associated with cognitive development at age 1 year and jointly interacted with TSH to predict cognitive development at age 3 years. This pilot study added insight into the thyrotropic actions of hCG in the second trimester, and into the significance of this mechanism for brain development. More research is warranted to elucidate differences between hCGα, hCGβ, and hCG-h in relation to TH regulation and child brain function.
Thermoregulation in desert birds: scaling and phylogenetic variation in heat tolerance and evaporative cooling
Authors: McKechnie Andrew E. , Gerson Alexander R. , Wolf Blair O.
Published: February 2021

Evaporative heat dissipation is a key aspect of avian thermoregulation in hot environments. We quantified variation in avian thermoregulatory performance at high air temperatures (Ta) using published data on body temperature (Tb), evaporative water loss (EWL) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) measured under standardized conditions of very low humidity in 56 arid-zone species. Maximum Tb during acute heat exposure varied from 42.5±1.3°C in caprimulgids to 44.5±0.5°C in passerines. Among passerines, both maximum Tb and the difference between maximum and normothermic Tb decreased significantly with body mass (Mb). Scaling exponents for minimum thermoneutral EWL and maximum EWL were 0.825 and 0.801, respectively, even though evaporative scope (ratio of maximum to minimum EWL) varied widely among species. Upper critical limits of thermoneutrality (Tuc) varied by >20°C and maximum RMR during acute heat exposure scaled to Mb0.75 in both the overall data set and among passerines. The slope of RMR at Ta>Tuc increased significantly with Mb but was substantially higher among passerines, which rely on panting, compared with columbids, in which cutaneous evaporation predominates. Our analysis supports recent arguments that interspecific within-taxon variation in heat tolerance is functionally linked to evaporative scope and maximum ratios of evaporative heat loss (EHL) to metabolic heat production (MHP). We provide predictive equations for most variables related to avian heat tolerance. Metabolic costs of heat dissipation pathways, rather than capacity to increase EWL above baseline levels, appear to represent the major constraint on the upper limits of avian heat tolerance.
Physiological adaptation to cities as a proxy to forecast global-scale responses to climate change
Authors: Diamond Sarah E. , Martin Ryan A.
Published: February 2021

Cities are emerging as a new venue to overcome the challenges of obtaining data on compensatory responses to climatic warming through phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary change. In this Review, we highlight how cities can be used to explore physiological trait responses to experimental warming, and also how cities can be used as human-made space-for-time substitutions. We assessed the current literature and found evidence for significant plasticity and evolution in thermal tolerance trait responses to urban heat islands. For those studies that reported both plastic and evolved components of thermal tolerance, we found evidence that both mechanisms contributed to phenotypic shifts in thermal tolerance, rather than plastic responses precluding or limiting evolved responses. Interestingly though, for a broader range of studies, we found that the magnitude of evolved shifts in thermal tolerance was not significantly different from the magnitude of shift in those studies that only reported phenotypic results, which could be a product of evolution, plasticity, or both. Regardless, the magnitude of shifts in urban thermal tolerance phenotypes was comparable to more traditional space-for-time substitutions across latitudinal and altitudinal clines in environmental temperature. We conclude by considering how urban-derived estimates of plasticity and evolution of thermal tolerance traits can be used to improve forecasting methods, including macrophysiological models and species distribution modelling approaches. Finally, we consider areas for further exploration including sub-lethal performance traits and thermal performance curves, assessing the adaptive nature of trait shifts, and taking full advantage of the environmental thermal variation that cities generate.
Climate impacts on organisms, ecosystems and human societies: integrating OCLTT into a wider context
Authors: Pörtner Hans-O.
Published: February 2021

Physiological studies contribute to a cause and effect understanding of ecological patterns under climate change and identify the scope and limits of adaptation. Across most habitats, this requires analyzing organism responses to warming, which can be modified by other drivers such as acidification and oxygen loss in aquatic environments or excess humidity or drought on land. Experimental findings support the hypothesis that the width and temperature range of thermal performance curves relate to biogeographical range. Current warming causes range shifts, hypothesized to include constraints in aerobic power budget which in turn are elicited by limitations in oxygen supply capacity in relation to demand. Different metabolic scopes involved may set the borders of both the fundamental niche (at standard metabolic rate) and the realized niche (at routine rate). Relative scopes for aerobic performance also set the capacity of species to interact with others at the ecosystem level. Niche limits and widths are shifting and probably interdependent across life stages, with young adults being least thermally vulnerable. The principles of thermal tolerance and performance may also apply to endotherms including humans, their habitat and human society. Overall, phylogenetically based comparisons would need to consider the life cycle of species as well as organism functional properties across climate zones and time scales. This Review concludes with a perspective on how mechanism-based understanding allows scrutinizing often simplified modeling approaches projecting future climate impacts and risks for aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It also emphasizes the usefulness of a consensus-building process among experimentalists for better recognition in the climate debate.
Setting Agenda for Medical Education Research in Pakistan
Authors: Ali Sarah , Sethi Ahsan
Published: February 2021

Objective: To justify the allocation of human and financial resources, this study aims to identify multiple stakeholders’ views of medical education research priorities in Pakistan for the next five years.

Methods: This two-stage exploratory mixed-method study was conducted from Jan 2018 to Jun 2019. A purposively selected sample of 250 faculty members, research supervisors, postgraduate students, undergraduate students and policymakers actively involved in improving Medical Education were included. In Stage-I: An exploratory open-ended questionnaire asking about Medical Education Research (MER) priorities in Pakistan for the next five years was emailed. Data were thematically analyzed to identify MER areas. In Stage-II: Another questionnaire was developed based on MER areas. The participants were asked to rate their importance on a scale of one to five. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS.v.24.

Results: In Stage-I, 140 participants and in Stage-II, 130 participants from different stakeholder groups responded. We identified 20 research priorities grouped under eight themes: curriculum organization, content, delivery, assessment, workplace, students, faculty and educational management. Top three research priorities were identifying needs and developing effective provisions for continuous professional development of the faculty, improving assessment and communication skills.

Conclusion: The study identified top MER priority areas as continuous professional development, assessment and communication skills. Some areas unique to the current study include admissions, fostering critical thinking, Islamic values in professionalism and ethics. The study provides evidence-base for decision-making about allocating time and funds for MER in Pakistan.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3603

How to cite this:Ali S, Sethi A. Setting Agenda for Medical Education Research in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):684-688.   doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3603

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Is leukopenia and lymphopenia a characteristic feature of COVID-19 in children?
Authors: Bari Attia , CH Aimen , Bano Iqbal , Saqlain Nazish
Published: February 2021

Objectives: To analyze whether leucopenia and lymphopenia a characteristic feature of children with COVID-19 and to find out its association with the disease severity.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at The Children’s Hospital Lahore from March 2020 to October 2020. All confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection and post-COVID MIS-C/Kawasaki Disease diagnosed on the basis of RT-PCR and Antibody test respectively were included. Complete blood and differential counts were performed on the day of admission.

Results: Out of a total of 83 patients 60 (72%) were diagnosed as COVID-19 and 23 (28%) as post-COVID MIS-C/KD. The mean age of children was 7.0±4.3 years (95%CI: 6.07 - 8.75) with a male preponderance 51 (61%). Twenty (24%) children had an underlying comorbidity and 7 (8%) were surgical cases. Our case fatality rate was 5 (6%) and all children who died had an underlying comorbid condition. In both, COVID and MIS-C/KD the mean leukocyte count was (14.0 ± 12.5 vs 13.6 ± 6.9 x109/L), respectively (p=0.888). The mean lymphocyte count in children with COVID was (39.1 ± 21.4%). Patients with MIS-C/KD showed significantly higher levels of neutrophil count (76.5 ± 15.0%) as compared to children with COVID (52.0 ± 22.1%), absolute lymphocyte count was (5.02±4.81 vs 2.13±0.95 x109/L) in COVID and MIS-C respectively (p=<0.001). In 60 COVID-19 patients, the mean neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in mild-moderate and severe-critical group was 2.00 and 5.08 respectively (p=0.009).

Conclusion: The blood picture of COVID-19 in children does not show leukopenia. NLR was a prognostic factor to assess the severity in COVID-19 patients. The presence of an underlying comorbid conditions is significant a risk factor for poor outcome.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3848

How to cite this:Bari A, Ch A, Bano I, Saqlain N. Is leukopenia and lymphopenia a characteristic feature of COVID-19 in children?. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(3):869-873. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.3.3848

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Two at-home apps for patients with pelvic floor disorders
Authors: Chen Katherine T
Published: February 2021

Clinicians can recommend these apps to assist their patients in performing Kegel exercises.
Home pregnancy tests—Is ectopic always on your mind?
Authors: Sanfilippo Joseph S , Smith Steven R
Published: February 2021

When a patient presents to the ED reporting early pregnancy and intermittent vaginal bleeding, failure to evaluate for ectopic pregnancy can expose clinicians to liability.
Call to Duty: Just-in-Time Scheduling in a Restaurant Chain
Authors: Kamalahmadi Masoud , Yu Qiuping , Zhou Yong-Pin
Published: February 2021

Just-in-time scheduling has become ubiquitous in the service industries. Although effective in reducing staffing level, hence labor cost, the potential impact of just-in-time scheduling on workers’ productivity and the firm’s revenue is not well understood. Using a data set of 1,444,044 transactions from 25 stores of a full-service casual dining restaurant chain in the United States, we study how just-in-time scheduling impacts worker productivity. We consider two types of just-in-time schedules: (1) short-notice schedules that are assigned to servers shortly before the day of service (mostly two days in our data) and (2) real-time schedules that are assigned to servers on the day of service. We show that short-notice schedules do not harm server productivity overall, but real-time schedules do by 4.4%. Our analysis indicates this may be because servers reduce their up-selling and cross-selling efforts when working on real-time schedules. We then propose an analytical scheduling model that accounts for both the value of staffing flexibility created through just-in-time scheduling and its impact on server productivity to inform the firm how to use just-in-time scheduling to improve profitability. Through a case study, we demonstrate that with the 4.4% productivity loss during the real-time schedules, the managers should shift from the heavy use of real-time scheduling toward scheduling more servers with longer advance notice. Such a shift not only provides more predictable work schedules for the workers but can also improve restaurants’ expected profit by up to 1%, a significant number for the low-margin restaurant industry.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.
Do Dasein ao mundo: quadratura como explosão de si
Authors: Clini Maíra Mendes
Published: February 2021

Partindo da noção heideggeriana de quadratura, esse artigo visa descontruir cisões e dicotomias presentes no pensamento tradicional da psicologia, a saber, as noções de subjetividade e de objetividade, e na esteira desses termos, as noções de indivíduo e de social. No pensamento de Heidegger pós viragem, encontramos noções contrárias ao antropocentrismo, mais radicalmente do que os escritos publicados próximos a “Ser e tempo”. A quadratura convoca para uma nova visão em relação ao mundo e ao ser humano, apresentando uma interrelação entre esses termos irremediavelmente uníssona. Somos os mortais da quadratura; mostraremos, porém, como a finitude que nos é constitutiva pode se mostrar como algo distante, quando nos tornamos meramente sujeitos. Para nos ajudar nessa caminhada, conclamamos a noção de Coisa no pensamento de Heidegger, que contribuirá para uma visão des-encapsulada do existir humano. Pensamos a alteridade contando com alusões ao pensamento heideggeriano, mas indo além dele, para contrapor a concepção individualista que se tornou hegemônica ao longo da tradição do pensamento ocidental. Através desse percurso, visamos debater a postura-ação almejada pela psicologia fenomenológica e hermenêutica.
Estado, Indivíduo e Liberdade: Liberalismo e Seguridade Social
Authors: Benevides Rodrigo Barbosa Gomes
Published: February 2021

Trata-se aqui de indicar que o Liberalismo Clássico, ao contrário da leitura usual, serve como quadro teórico para justificar intervenções estatais permanentes, seja em tempos de paz, seja em tempos de exceção. Posições como as de John Locke, John Stuart Mill, Thomas Paine e da Teoria Monetária Moderna mostram que a defesa da vida, da liberdade e da propriedade pressupõe um Estado atuante que, todavia, não entre em conflito com a preponderância do indivíduo no âmbito do jusnaturalismo. À luz da pandemia da Covid-19, o artigo pretende, portanto, elencar as razões pelas quais se deve advogar por uma ampliação do Estado de Bem-Estar Social ao se adotar medidas como a Renda Básica Universal.
Morpho-physiological changes of four tropical tree seedlings under aluminum stress
Authors: Pidjath Chartina , Sopandie Didy , Turjaman Maman , Budi Sri Wilarso
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Pidjath C, Sopandie D, Turjaman M, Budi SW. 2021. Morpho-physiological changes of four tropical tree seedlings under aluminum stress. Biodiversitas 22: 1211-1220. Phytotoxicity of aluminum due to acidic soil can cause a major threat to plant survival and health in the tropical region.  Woody plant species are known to be well adapted to acidic soils. The research aimed to assess the growth and physiological response of tropical tree species Calliandra calothyrsus Meisn, Samanea saman Jacq. Merr, Ochroma grandiflora Rowlee, and Calophyllum inophyllum Linn exposed to high aluminum concentration in a nutrient solution. The completely randomized design was applied in this experiment with two treatments (0 and 4.0 mM Al exposure). Each treatment consists of three replicates for each species. The results revealed that the Al concentration of 4.0 mM inhibited plant growth, and nutrient uptake of all plants tested. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents of S. saman and C. calothyrsus were higher when exposed to 4.0 mM Al, whereas O. grandiflora and C. inophyllum were lower. Hematoxylin staining showed high Al accumulation in the root epidermal and outer cortical cells of all plants except C. inophyllum. The Al concentration of 4 mM decreased the calcium and magnesium concentrations in shoots and roots in all plants tested. There was a high increase in Al concentration in shoots of O. grandiflora. Based on various parameters studied, we concluded that C. inophyllum could be proposed as a tolerant species, whereas O. grandiflora is more vulnerable to aluminum stress.
Forest cover changes in Indonesia’s terrestrial national parks between 2012 and 2017
Authors: Dwiyahreni Asri , Fuad Habiburrachman A.H. , Sunaryo SUNARYO , Soesilo TRI EDHI BUDHI , Margules Chris , Supriatna Jatna
Published: February 2021

Tropical rainforests are among the most important ecosystems on earth. After Brazil, Indonesia has the second largest tropical forest area in the world. Since the 1970s, Indonesia’s forests have decreased from covering 87% to 50% of its land area. With the ever increasing pressures from economic and human development it appears likely that much of the biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by forest in Indonesia will only remain in conservation areas.  National parks currently cover around 60% or 16 Mha of the total area of protected areas in Indonesia. Between 2012 and 2017, 42 terrestrial national parks in Indonesia lost 1.07% of their total forest cover. However, primary forest cover increased by 0.07%. National parks in the Jawa Bali bioregion, through their natural mountainous conditions and ecosystem services to the surrounding areas, as well as better management inputs, have contributed to the increase of primary forest covers and keeping total forest loss relatively low in Indonesia’s national parks.
Evaluation of Indigenous Pichia kudriavzevii from cocoa fermentation for a probiotic candidate
Authors: Wulan Rahayu , Astuti Rika Indri , Rukayadi Yaya , Meryandini Anja
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Wulan R, Astuti RI, Rukayadi Y, Meryandini A. 2021. Evaluation of Indigenous Pichia kudriavzevii from cocoa fermentation for a probiotic candidate. Biodiversitas 22: 1317-1325. Currently, probiotics are becoming a concern along with a healthy lifestyle awareness. Besides bacteria, yeast can be used as a probiotic candidate with specific functional properties. Research on yeast as a probiotic is still limited (except for Saccharomyces boulardii). Previous research has isolated yeasts from the cocoa fermentation process. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotics properties and antioxidant activity of yeast strains isolated from spontaneous cocoa fermentation in Sukabumi, Indonesia. Previous research has isolated 23 yeast strains from spontaneous cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) fermentation. Of the 23 yeast strains isolated from cocoa fermentation, 22 strains showed negative hemolysis as an indicator of non-pathogenic properties. Ten yeast strains were able to grow at 37 °C and 41 °C, pH 3, 0.5% bile salts, had autoaggregation ability (63.99-95.33%), and co-aggregation with S. typhimurium ATCC14028 (>80%), as character requirement for probiotic candidates. The genetic identification of the ten yeast strains showed that they were 99% identical to Pichia kudriavzevii. Based on its antioxidant activity, the P. kudriavzevii 2P10 metabolites had the highest percentage of inhibition (68.51%) against DPPH free radicals and resistance to H2O2 oxidative stress up to 3 mM. It can be concluded that P. kudriavzevii 2P10 is a promising probiotic candidate for functional foods and health purposes.
Evaluation of the ambrosia beetles traps on Pterocarpus indicus in Indonesia
Authors: TARNO HAGUS , Setiawan Yogo , RAHARDJO BAMBANG TRI , WANG JIANGUO
Published: February 2021

Abstract. Tarno H, Setiawan Y, Rahardjo BT, Wang J. 2021. Evaluation of the  ambrosia beetles traps on Pterocarpus indicus in Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 1332-1339. Angsana, Pterocarpus indicus Willd., is a native tree of Southeast Asia. This tree is commonly planted in large numbers as an ornamental or shade plant along the roads, in parks, and in residential areas in Malang and Batu Cities of Indonesia. Ambrosia beetles Euplatypus parallelus (F.) and Treptoplatypus micrurus (Schedl.) have been reported to attack P. indicus trees in Malang and Batu Cities. Therefore, effective traps are required for early detection and monitoring of the spread of ambrosia beetles. This research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different traps and to investigate the diversity of ambrosia beetles on P. indicus trees in Malang and Batu Cities. This research was conducted along the roads in Malang and Batu Cities using four types of traps: funnel trap, window flight trap, bottle trap, and yellow sticky trap. Eleven ambrosia beetle species were collected in this research. The most abundant species were E. parallelus and Cryphalus laticollis (Browne). The funnel trap was the most effective for capturing ambrosia beetles, whereas the bottle trap was the least effective trap. The funnel trap captured more E. parallelus and C. laticollis individuals than other traps. The ambrosia beetles captured using different traps were categorized as having low diversity. The ambrosia beetles collected from Malang and Batu Cities were categorized as having moderate diversity.
Quantitative analysis of vascular changes during photoimmunotherapy using speckle variance optical coherence tomography (SV-OCT)
Authors: Wu Shulian , Okada Ryuhei , Liu Yi , Fang Yuhong , Yan Feng , Wang Chen , Li Hui , Kobayashi Hisataka , Chen Yu , Tang Qinggong
Published: February 2021

Near-infrared (NIR) photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is an emerging cancer therapy based on a monoclonal antibody and phthalocyanine dye conjugate. Direct tumor necrosis and immunogenic cell death occur during NIR irradiation. However, the alteration of tumor blood vessels and blood volume inside the blood vessels induced by the NIR-PIT process is still unknown. In our study, a speckle variance (SV) algorithm combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) technology was applied to monitor the change of blood vessels and the alterations of the blood volume inside the blood vessels during and after NIR-PIT treatment. Vascular density and the measurable diameter of the lumen in the blood vessel (the diameter of the region filled with blood) were extracted for quantitively uncovering the alterations of blood vessels and blood volume induced by NIR-PIT treatment. The results indicate that both the density and the diameter of the lumen in the blood vessels decrease during the NIR-PIT process, while histological results indicated the blood vessels were dilated. The increase of permeability of blood vessels could lead to the increase of the blood pool volume within the tumor (shown in histology) and results in the decrease of free-moving red blood cells inside the blood vessels (shown in SV-OCT).
Directional radiation for optimal radiative cooling
Authors: Jeon Suwan , Shin Jonghwa
Published: February 2021

The omnidirectional radiation scheme has been widely applied to thermal emitters for radiative cooling. We quantitatively illustrate that significant net radiative absorption at high zenith angles limits the performance of such isotropic emitters, and demonstrate that simply cutting off components corresponding to high angles can substantially improve the cooling performance of commonly used isotropic emitter designs. We also present an expression for the ideal directional spectral emissivity at conditions below ambient temperature. As our approach can be applied to coolers with arbitrary surfaces, our results may serve as a basic guideline for designing practical systems with various surfaces, such as rooftops or façades of modern buildings with complicated geometries.
eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas
Authors: Gold Zachary , Sprague Joshua , Kushner David J. , Zerecero Marin Erick , Barber Paul H.
Published: February 2021

Monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n = 4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 23 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50 m) and site (~1000 m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.
The effect of maternal HMB supplementation on bone mechanical and geometrical properties, as well as histomorphometry and immunolocalization of VEGF, TIMP2, MMP13, BMP2 in the bone and cartilage tissue of the humerus of their newborn piglets
Authors: Tomczyk-Warunek Agnieszka , Blicharski Tomasz , Jarecki Jaromir , Dobrowolski Piotr , Muszyński Siemowit , Tomaszewska Ewa , Rovati Lucio C.
Published: February 2021

The presented experiment focuses on assessing the impact of HMB (hydroxy-β-methobutyrate) supplementation of mothers during pregnancy on the development of the skeletal system of their offspring. For this purpose, an experiment was carried out on 12 clinically healthy sows of the Great White Poland breed, which were divided randomly into two groups the control and the HMB group. All animals were kept under standard conditions and received the same feed for pregnant females. In contrast, females from the HMB group between 70 and 90 days were supplemented with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyle in the amount of 0.2g/kg b.w/day. Immediately after birth, the piglets were also divided into groups based on: sex, and presence or lack HMB supplementation, and subsequently were euthanized and humerus bones from all piglets were collected. Mother’s HMB supplementation during pregnancy affected the multiple index of their offspring. The higher humerus mass and length was observed with the greater effect in males. Maternal supplementation also influenced on the geometrical and mechanical properties of the humerus as in the case of mass, this effect was higher in males. Also, the collagen structure of the compacted and trabecular bone changed under the HMB addition. Maternal supplementation also affected the expression of selected proteins in growth cartilage and trabecular bone. The obtained results show that the administration to the mother during pregnancy by the HMB significantly affects the development of the humerus in many ways. The obtained results also confirm the utility of such experiments in understanding of the importance of the pregnancy diet as an develop and adaptable factor of offspring organisms and are the base for further research in that area as well as in the protein markers expression area.
Supplementation with milk enriched with complex lipids during pregnancy: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Albert Benjamin B. , Derraik José G. B. , Xia Yin-Yin , Norris Tom , Zhang Ting , Han Ting-Li , Chang Chen , Rowan Angela , Gallier Sophie , Souza Renato T. , Hammond Judith J. , Zhou Wei , Zhang Hua , Qi Hong-Bo , Baker Philip N.
Published: February 2021

Background

Gangliosides are a class of sphingolipids that are present in the cell membranes of vertebrates. Gangliosides influence a broad range of cellular processes through effects on signal transduction, being found abundantly in the brain, and having a role in neurodevelopment.

Objective

We aimed to assess the effects of maternal daily consumption of ganglioside-enriched milk vs non-enriched milk and a non-supplemented group of pregnant women on maternal ganglioside levels and pregnancy outcomes.

Design

Double-blind parallel randomized controlled trial.

Methods

1,500 women aged 20–40 years were recruited in Chongqing (China) between 11 and 14 weeks of a singleton pregnancy, and randomized into three groups: Control–received standard powdered milk formulation (≥4 mg gangliosides/day); Complex milk lipid-enhanced (CML-E) group–same formulation enriched with complex milk lipids (≥8 mg gangliosides/day) from milk fat globule membrane; Reference–received no milk. Serum ganglioside levels were measured in a randomly selected subsample of 250 women per group.

Results

CML-E milk was associated with marginally greater total gangliosides levels in maternal serum compared to Control (13.02 vs 12.69 μg/ml; p = 0.034) but not to Reference group. CML-E milk did not affect cord blood ganglioside levels. Among the 1500 women, CML-E milk consumption was associated with a lower rate of gestational diabetes mellitus than control milk [relative risk 0.80 (95% CI 0.64, 0.99)], but which was not different to the Reference group. CML-E milk supplementation had no other effects on maternal or newborn health.

Conclusions

Maternal supplementation with milk fat globule membrane, as a source of gangliosides, was not associated with any adverse health outcomes, and did not increase serum gangliosides compared with the non-supplemented reference group.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR-IOR-16007700).

Clinical trial registration

ChiCTR-IOR-16007700;www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=12972.
Multiple chemical sensitivity described in the Danish general population: Cohort characteristics and the importance of screening for functional somatic syndrome comorbidity—The DanFunD study
Authors: Dantoft Thomas Meinertz , Nordin Steven , Andersson Linus , Petersen Marie Weinreich , Skovbjerg Sine , Jørgensen Torben
Published: February 2021

Background

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is characterized by widespread symptoms attributed to exposure to airborne chemicals. MCS is categorized as a functional somatic syndrome (FSS), and MCS cases often meet the criteria for other types of FSS, e.g. fibromyalgia. The primary aim was to characterize MCS regarding symptom triggers, symptoms, lifestyle and describe demographics, socioeconomics and lifestyle factors associated with MCS. A secondary aim was to examine the implication of FSS comorbidity.

Methods

Data were derived from a random sample of the Danish adult population enrolled in the Danish Study of Functional Disorders (DanFunD; n = 9,656). Questionnaire data comprised information used to delimit MCS and four additional types of FSS, as well as data on demographics, socioeconomics and lifestyle. MCS cases (n = 188) was stratified into subgroups; MCS only (n = 109) and MCS with comorbid FSS (n = 73). Information regarding FSS comorbidities were missing for six MCS cases. MCS subgroups and controls without FSS comorbidities (n = 7,791) were compared by means of logistic regression analyses, adjusted for age and sex.

Results

MCS was associated with female sex, not being in occupation and low social status, but not with age or education. MCS cases reported normal dietary intake and smoking habits and lower alcohol consumption. Additional associations were found between MCS and low rate of cohabitation, sedentarism, daily physically limitations, and poor quality of sleep. However, subgroup analysis revealed that these findings were primarily associated with MCS with comorbid FSS.

Conclusions

MCS was associated with lower socioeconomic status, physically inactivity and poor quality of sleep. Subgroup analysis revealed that several associations was explained by FSS comorbidity, i.e. MCS cases with no comorbid FSS showed normal rate of cohabitation and did not report physical limitations or difficulties sleeping. Overall, our findings emphasise the importance of screening MCS cases for FSS comorbidity both in epidemiological and clinical settings.
Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in an area of unrestricted viral circulation: Mass seroepidemiological screening in Castiglione d’Adda, Italy
Authors: Pagani Gabriele , Giacomelli Andrea , Conti Federico , Bernacchia Dario , Rondanin Rossana , Prina Andrea , Scolari Vittore , Rizzo Arianna , Beltrami Martina , Caimi Camilla , Gandolfi Cecilia Eugenia , Castaldi Silvana , Rivieccio Bruno Alessandro , Buonanno Giacomo , Marano Giuseppe , Ottomano Cosimo , Boracchi Patrizia , Biganzoli Elia , Galli Massimo
Published: February 2021

Castiglione D’Adda is one of the municipalities more precociously and severely affected by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) epidemic in Lombardy. With our study we aimed to understand the diffusion of the infection by mass serological screening. We searched for SARS-CoV-2 IgGs in the entire population on a voluntary basis using lateral flow immunochromatographic tests (RICT) on capillary blood (rapid tests). We then performed chemioluminescent serological assays (CLIA) and naso-pharyngeal swabs (NPS) in a randomized representative sample and in each subject with a positive rapid test. Factors associated with RICT IgG positivity were assessed by uni- and multivariate logistic regression models. Out of the 4143 participants, 918 (22·2%) showed RICT IgG positivity. In multivariable analysis, IgG positivity increases with age, with a significant non-linear effect (p = 0·0404). We found 22 positive NPSs out of the 1330 performed. Albeit relevant, the IgG prevalence is lower than expected and suggests that a large part of the population remains susceptible to the infection. The observed differences in prevalence might reflect a different infection susceptibility by age group. A limited persistence of active infections could be found after several weeks after the epidemic peak in the area.
Cardiometabolic risks and atherosclerotic disease in ApoE knockout mice: Effect of spinal cord injury and Salsalate anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy
Authors: Bigford Gregory E. , Szeto Angela , Kimball John , Herderick Edward E. , Mendez Armando J. , Nash Mark S.
Published: February 2021

Objective

To test in mice with a double mutation of the ApoE gene (ApoE-/-) whether spinal cord injury (SCI) hastens the native trajectory of, and established component risks for, atherosclerotic disease (AD), and whether Salsalate anti-inflammatory pharmacotherapy attenuates the impact of SCI.

Methods

ApoE-/- mice were anesthetized and underwent a T9 laminectomy. Exposed spinal cords were given a contusion injury (70 k-dynes). Sham animals underwent all surgical procedures, excluding injury. Injured animals were randomized to 2 groups: SCI or SCI+Salsalate [120 mg/Kg/day i.p.]. Mice were serially sacrificed at 20-, 24-, and 28-weeks post-SCI, and body mass was recorded. At sacrifice, heart and aorta were harvested intact, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, cleaned and cut longitudinally for en face preparation. The aortic tree was stained with oil-red-O (ORO). AD lesion histomorphometry was calculated from the proportional area of ORO. Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and proatherogenic inflammatory cytokines (PAIC’s) were analyzed.

Results

AD lesion in the aortic arch progressively increased in ApoE-/-, significant at 24- and 28-weeks. AD in SCI is significantly greater at 24- and 28-weeks compared to time-controlled ApoE-/-. Salsalate treatment attenuates the SCI-induced increase at these time points. Body mass in all SCI groups are significantly reduced compared to time-controlled ApoE-/-. Cholesterol and triglycerides are significantly higher with SCI by 24- and 28-weeks, compared to ApoE-/-, and Salsalate reduces the SCI-induced effect on cholesterol. PAIC’s interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL-5) are significantly greater with SCI compared to ApoE-/- at varying timepoints. Salsalate confers a marginal reducing effect on PAIC’s by 28-weeks compared to SCI. Regression models determine that each PAIC is a significant and positive predictor of lesion. (p’s <0.05).

Conclusions

SCI accelerates aortic AD and associated risk factors, and anti-inflammatory treatment may attenuate the impact of SCI on AD outcomes. PAIC’s IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, MCP-1, and CCL-5 may be effective predictors of AD.
Community assets and multimorbidity: A qualitative scoping study
Authors: Kordowicz Maria , Hack-Polay Dieu
Published: February 2021

Little is known of how community assets can play a role in multimorbidity care provision. Using a rapid ethnographic approach, the study explored perceptions of the role of community assets in how multimorbidity is managed within Southwark and Lambeth in Southeast London, England. The scoping work comprised of four micro-studies covering (1) Rapid review of the literature (2) Documentary analysis of publicly available local policy documents (3) Thematic analysis of community stories and (4) Semi-structured stakeholder interviews. The data were analysed using framework thematic analysis. Themes are presented for each of the microstudies. The literature review analysis highlights the role of attitudes and understandings in the management of multiple long-term conditions and the need to move beyond silos in their management. Documentary analysis identifies a resource poor climate, whilst recognising the role of community assets and solution-focussed interventions in the management of multimorbidity. Community patient stories underline the lack of joined up care, and psychosocial issues such as the loss of control and reducing isolation. The stakeholder interview analysis reveals again a sense of disjointed care, the need for holism in the understanding and treatment of multimorbidity, whilst recognising the important role of community-based approaches, beyond the biomedical model. Recommendations stemming from the study’s findings are proposed. Upholding access to and resourcing community assets have key practical importance.