bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artery and venous sinus occlusion image score (AVOIS): A novel method to evaluate occlusive cerebral arteries and venous diseases
Authors: Wu Zhimin , Feng Qinglin , Liu Mengqi , Li Jie , Sun Xiaochuan , Shi Quanhong , Zhan Yan , Dan Wei , Yang Bocheng , Zheng Dinghao , Xia Yulong , Xie Yanfeng , Jiang Li
Published: June 2021

Aim

To establish an artery and venous sinus occlusion image score (AVOIS) which is compatible in both cerebral arteries and venous system diseases.

Methods

A total of 188 consecutive patients with the final diagnosis of anterior circulation infarct (ACI) and 56 consecutive patients with cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) were retrospectively studied. The AVOIS was developed based on the severity of occlusive changes of main intracranial arteries and venous sinuses (present = 0, partial occlusion = 1, absent = 2), and divided into four groups (CVST group: 0, 1‐5, 6‐10, >10. ACI group: 0, 1‐5, 6‐10, >10) arbitrarily. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to discover the sensitivity and specificity of AVOIS. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Clot Burden Score (CBS) were set as the reference. Logistic regression models were developed to adjust for baseline clinical variables and AVOIS. Length of hospital stay (LOS) was also evaluated using the Kaplan‐Meier estimator.

Results

For the CVST group, a positive correlation between AVOIS and NIHSS was discovered (Spearman's ρ = 0.54, p < 0.001). For the ACI group, ROC showed relatively high sensitivity (84.8%) and specificity (81.8%). Besides, the probability of time to discharge was significantly different among the AVOIS subgroups as well (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The AVOIS can be used to evaluate the treatment of patients with acute stroke caused by cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and anterior circulation large vessel occlusion. It is a reliable and convenient method that may help prompt prognosis and guide the treatment of individual patients.
Coordinated expression of the renin–angiotensin genes in the lumbar spinal cord: Lateralization and effects of unilateral brain injury
Authors: Bakalkin Georgy , Kahle Anika , Sarkisyan Daniil , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Lukoyanov Nikolay , Carvalho Liliana S. , Galatenko Vladimir , Hallberg Mathias , Nosova Olga
Published: June 2021

In spite of its apparent symmetry, the spinal cord is asymmetric in its reflexes and gene expression patterns including leftward expression bias of the opioid and glutamate genes. To examine whether this is a general phenomenon for neurotransmitter and neurohormonal genes, we here characterized expression and co‐expression (transcriptionally coordinated) patterns of genes of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) that is involved in neuroprotection and pathological neuroplasticity in the left and right lumbar spinal cord. We also tested whether the RAS expression patterns were affected by unilateral brain injury (UBI) that rewired lumbar spinal neurocircuits. The left and right halves of the lumbar spinal cord were analysed in intact rats, and rats with left‐ or right‐sided unilateral cortical injury, and left‐ or right‐sided sham surgery. The findings were (i) lateralized expression of the RAS genes Ace, Agtr2 and Ren with higher levels on the left side; (ii) the asymmetry in coordination of the RAS gene expression that was stronger on the right side; (iii) the decay in coordination of co‐expression of the RAS and neuroplasticity‐related genes induced by the right‐side but not left‐side sham surgery and UBI; and (iv) the UBI‐induced shift to negative regulatory interactions between RAS and neuroplasticity‐related genes on the contralesional spinal side. Thus, the RAS genes may be a part of lateralized gene co‐expression networks and have a role in a side‐specific regulation of spinal neurocircuits.
Retrospective and prospective assessment of butorphanol, azaperone and medetomidine (BAM™) for immobilisation of feral horses (Equus ferus caballus)
Authors: Balko Julie A. , Fogle Callie , Stuska Susan J. , Fogle Jonathan E. , Posner Lysa P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Butorphanol–azaperone–medetomidine (BAM™) has not been evaluated in horses.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to evaluate BAM™ for chemical restraint of feral horses.

Study design

Retrospective and prospective descriptive studies.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from medical records of 28 feral horses immobilised with BAM™ over a 6‐year period. Prospectively, 0.0125 mL/kg bwt of BAM™ (butorphanol 27.3 mg/mL, azaperone 9.1 mg/mL and medetomidine 10.9 mg/mL) intramuscularly (im) was administered to eight stallions via dart, and once recumbent, 1.0 mg/kg bwt ketamine was given intravenously (iv). Induction and recovery time and quality via a standardised rubric (1 = very poor; 5 = excellent) and visual analogue scale (VAS), need for additional darts, weight tape measurement and serial physiological parameters were recorded. Serial arterial blood gas analysis was performed during recumbency. Following castration, horses were given 0.1 mg/kg bwt atipamezole (25% iv and 75% im) and allowed to recover unaided.

Results

Retrospectively, 28 horses were successfully immobilised with BAM™ without a major complication. Prospectively, eight horses were given a median (range) actual BAMTMdose of 0.0143 (0.0127‐0.0510) mL/kg bwt. Three of eight horses needed 1, 2 or 5 additional darts. Median (range) time to recumbency was 11 (2‐44) minutes. Median (range) induction (n = 4) and recovery (n = 6) scores via rubric and VAS were 5 (4‐5) and 5 (5‐5) and 92 (86‐93) and 98 (92‐99) cm, respectively. Four of seven horses were hypoxaemic at ≥1 time point with otherwise acceptable physiological parameters. Following atipamezole, median (range) time to sternal recumbency and standing was 12 (2‐18) and 17 (11‐52) minutes, respectively (n = 6).

Main limitations

The sample size was small. Data could not be collected before darting or after recovery. Some data were missing from retrospective analysis.

Conclusions

Intramuscular BAM™ with iv ketamine provided chemical restraint suitable for field castration of feral horses with no mortality. Hypoxaemia occurred in the majority of horses.
Understanding polyomavirus CNS disease – a perspective from mouse models
Authors: Ayers Katelyn N. , Carey Sarah N. , Lukacher Aron E.
Published: June 2021

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), a ubiquitous human pathogen, causes several devastating brain diseases in immune‐compromised individuals. The most notable of these JCPyV‐associated CNS diseases is the frequently fatal demyelinating brain disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML, an AIDS‐defining disease in the pre‐cART epoch, has emerged as a life‐threatening complication in patients receiving immunomodulatory agents for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and treatment for certain hematological malignancies. Among the rapidly expanding list of PML‐associated biologics, natalizumab (Tysabri®) has the highest incidence and is an ominous sequela for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who otherwise benefit from dramatic reductions in relapses using this immunomodulatory agent. Drug withdrawal, the only therapeutic option for PML, is often complicated by a high‐mortality cerebral inflammatory reaction. No anti‐JCPyV agents are available. Lack of a tractable animal model of polyomavirus‐induced central nervous system (CNS) disease is an acknowledged bottleneck to elucidating PML pathogenesis, immunological mechanisms that control JCPyV, in vivo evaluation of agents that inhibit polyomavirus replication in tissue culture, and uncovering early events that presage JCPyV‐associated neuropathology. The natural virus–host mouse polyomavirus (MuPyV) model has recently been developed to explore mechanisms of polyomavirus‐associated CNS disease. In this review, we will cover the benefits of using the MuPyV model to answer fundamental questions about innate and adaptive immune control of JCPyV, the impact of immunomodulation on JCPyV pathogenesis, and how this MuPyV CNS infection model will help improve criteria for identifying patients at risk for JCPyV‐associated CNS diseases before the development of irreversible lesions.
Contributions of PD‐L1 reverse signaling to dendritic cell trafficking
Authors: Tamburini Beth Ann Jirón
Published: June 2021

Programmed death‐1 (PD‐1)/programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) interactions are critical for dampening the immune response to both self and foreign antigens. The signaling of PD‐L1 via its cytoplasmic domain, rather than through its interactions with PD‐1 via the extracellular domain, has been termed PD‐L1 reverse signaling. While this signaling is beneficial for cancer progression, little is understood about the consequences of PD‐L1 reverse signaling in immune cells that express PD‐L1 at steady state or in response to infection. Loss of PD‐L1 during infection leads to unchecked T‐cell proliferation and increased autoimmune T‐cell responses. While the T‐cell intrinsic role of PD‐1 for inhibiting T‐cell responses has been well explored, little to no effort has been directed at investigating the consequences of PD‐L1 reverse signaling on the DCs interacting with PD‐1+ T cells. We recently reported a defect in dendritic cell (DC) trafficking from the skin to the draining lymph node (LN) following immunization or infection in the absence of PD‐L1. We demonstrated that a region within the cytoplasmic tail was responsible for the defect in DC trafficking. Here, we review the processes involved in DC trafficking and highlight what we know about PD‐L1 expression, PD‐L1 post‐translational modifications, PD‐L1 intracellular interactions, and PD‐L1 extracellular interactions.
Modeling CSF‐1 receptor deficiency diseases – how close are we?
Authors: Chitu Violeta , Gökhan Şölen , Stanley E. Richard
Published: June 2021

The role of colony‐stimulating factor‐1 receptor (CSF‐1R) in macrophage and organismal development has been extensively studied in mouse. Within the last decade, mutations in the CSF1R have been shown to cause rare diseases of both pediatric (Brain Abnormalities, Neurodegeneration, and Dysosteosclerosis, OMIM #618476) and adult (CSF1R‐related leukoencephalopathy, OMIM #221820) onset. Here we review the genetics, penetrance, and histopathological features of these diseases and discuss to what extent the animal models of Csf1r deficiency currently available provide systems in which to study the underlying mechanisms involved.
Haemophilia Carriers Experience Study (CARES): A mixed method exploration into the experience of women who are carriers of Haemophilia
Authors: Whitaker Sarah , Aiston Helen , Hung Wai Tung , Pink Ruth , Mangles Sarah
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Haemophilia research has traditionally focused on patients diagnosed with haemophilia and although research priorities are rapidly changing, there is still a lot more we need to understand about the experiences and psychosocial issues facing women who are diagnosed as carriers of haemophilia (Haemophilia, https://doi.org/10.1111/hae.14043). One study noted that the understanding of carriers’ experience of bleeding by healthcare professionals is limited and that many women have had negative experiences of healthcare (Haemophilia, 17, 2011, 237). The carrier population does not typically receive much support for themselves as individuals as they are often not registered at Haemophilia Centres in their own right.

Aim

This study aimed to look at the emotional wellbeing of carriers in more detail.

Method

This was initially investigated through the use of focus groups and individual interviews with 16 participants (Stage 1) and then widening the study using an online questionnaire battery developed from the themes identified from these interviews (Stage 2). The questionnaire battery was completed by 226 participants.

Results

Descriptive statistics are reported on the endorsement of themes identified in Stage 1 and around participants’ experiences of their carriership and healthcare. Results demonstrated that the participants have had a number of difficulties with accessing helpful information and support during key times in their lives, for example, at diagnosis and when deciding whether to start a family. They also showed that although participants endorsing a higher number of bleeding symptoms scored statistically significantly higher in measures of depression, anxiety and negative affect, this difference was not clinically significant.

Conclusion

These results lend support to the growing evidence base that women who are carriers of haemophilia have a distinct set of (currently unmet) needs that need assessing and treating.
Unravelling scientific research towards the green extraction of phenolic compounds from leaves: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Yeasmen Nushrat , Bhuiyan Md. Hafizur Rahman , Orsat Valérie
Published: June 2021

Phenolic compounds (PCs) have been finding increasing applications in functional foods, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and nutraceuticals due to their nutritional and antioxidant properties. Considering the drawbacks of conventional extraction methods, there is an ongoing challenge for researchers to develop green extractions (GE) of PCs in a sustainable and eco‐friendly way. A bibliometric study is a valuable tool to provide quantitative information for evaluating the scientific research activity based on the available published scientific literature. This bibliometric study aims for the first time to unravel the scientific exploration towards the GE of phenolics from plant by‐products, that is, leaves by focussing on scientific publications collected through the Web of Science database. Consequently, insights into the evaluation of publication trends, authors, countries, organisations, keywords, journals, publishers and citations in support of GE were established. The critical evaluation of the results showed an increase in research, during the last decade, on GE of PCs from leaves. The study also revealed Europe as the leader in terms of publications, citations, countries, organisations, as well as authors contributing to this research topic. Following the analysis, directions for future research have also been suggested.
Effect of HLB value on the properties of chitosan/zein/lemon essential oil film‐forming emulsion and composite film
Authors: Sun Yang , Liu Zhanli , Wang Xiaomin , Zhang Fengjuan , Huang Xue , Li Jirui , Sun Xia , Guo Yemin , Han Xiangbo
Published: June 2021

The properties of film‐forming emulsion with emulsifiers of different hydrophilic–lipophilic balance were evaluated, and the performance of chitosan/zein composite film containing lemon essential oil was examined. The retention ratio of lemon essential oil in the film and the release of lemon essential oil from film to food simulation system were also quantitatively analysed. Results showed that the emulsifier with higher hydrophilic–lipophilic balance would make lemon essential oil disperse evenly in the film‐forming emulsion, leading to smaller particle size and a lower viscosity of emulsion. Compared with C/Z/L, with the increasing hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value of emulsifier, the tensile strength and water contact angle of films decreased to 28.06 MPa and 23.39°, respectively. Emulsifier with high hydrophilic–lipophilic balance value could effectively increase the initial retention ratio of essential oils in the film, and the maximum initial retention rate of the C/Z/L‐15 film was 79.12%. The release of lemon essential oil in each treatment increased rapidly at first and then it slowed down. C/Z/L‐15 had the highest retention rate after 12 days, and C/Z/L‐11 had the best sustained release effect when lemon essential oil was released into the food simulant.
Glycation of soy protein isolate with two ketoses: d‐Allulose and fructose
Authors: Tas Ozan , Ertugrul Ulku , Oztop Mecit Halil , Mazi Bekir Gokcen
Published: June 2021

Modification of food proteins to have improved functional properties is of great importance. In this study, modification of soy protein isolate (SPI) was achieved through glycation. SPI was glycated in a spray dryer (SD) and an incubator followed by freeze drying (FD). d‐Allulose, an important rare sugar, was used in SPI glycation as the carbohydrate source, and results were compared with fructose. In addition to the sugar type, two different SPI powder: sugar ratios (1:1 and 5:1) were investigated. For the glycated samples, emulsification activity, free amino groups, protein solubility, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, antioxidant activity experiments and time‐domain NMR relaxometry measurements for hydration were conducted. According to the results, the solubility of SPI that is limited in native form has shown a significant improvement after glycation through both FD and SD methods. Besides, glycation through the FD method was found to be more favourable due to its milder conditions than the SD method. Considering the physicochemical properties, the best combination for the highest glycation degree was found to be the samples prepared at the 1:1 ratio with d‐Allulose in the FD method. Overall, it was concluded that glycation of SPI enhanced its functional properties such as antioxidant and emulsification activities.
English skills and early labour market integration: Evidence from humanitarian migrants in Australia
Authors: Cheng Zhiming , Wang Ben Zhe , Jiang Zhou , Taksa Lucy , Tani Massimiliano
Published: June 2021

This paper uses panel data from the Building a New Life in Australia survey to examine the relationship between proficiency in English and labour market outcomes among humanitarian migrants. We show that having better general or speaking skills in English is associated with a higher propensity for participation in the labour force and success in getting a job. We also find that participating in an English training programme is strongly and positively associated with gaining better language skills. Among the channels leading to these outcomes, we find that self‐esteem, self‐efficacy and general health partially mediate the relationship between English proficiency and labour force participation. Self‐efficacy, general health status and indicative serious mental illness also partially mediate the relationship between better English proficiency and the chance of getting a job.
Effect of zirconia content and particle size on the properties of 3D‐printed alumina‐based ceramic cores
Authors: Li He , Liu Yongsheng , Li Wenbo , Liu Yansong , Zeng Qingfeng
Published: June 2021

Alumina‐based ceramic cores are used to manufacture the internal structures of hollow alloy blades, requiring both high precision and moderate properties. In this work, zirconia is regarded as a promoter to improve the mechanical properties of sintered ceramic. The effect of zirconia content and particle size on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ceramics was evaluated. The results indicate that the flexural strength of sintered ceramics reached the maximum of 14.5 ± 0.5 MPa when 20 wt% micron‐sized (10 μm) zirconia (agglomerate size, consistent with the alumina particle size) was added, and 26.5±2.5 MPa when 15 wt% 0.3 μm zirconia was added. Zirconia with submicron‐sized (0.3 μm) particles effectively filled the pores between alumina particles, thus leading to the maximum flexural strength with a relatively low content. The corresponding sintered ceramics had a bulk density of 2.0 g/cm3 and open porosity of 59.6%.
ZrO2‐doped YTaO4 as potential CMAS‐resistant materials for thermal barrier coatings application
Authors: Wu Di , Yao Yao , Shan Xiao , Cai Huangyue , Hu Lingyue , Zhao Xiaofeng
Published: June 2021

In this contribution, the ZrO2‐doped YTaO4 (ZrxY0.5−x/2Ta0.5−x/2O2 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.28)) are proposed as potential CMAS‐resistant materials for TBCs. The corrosion behavior of those materials under CMAS attack are investigated from thermodynamics and kinetics. The results show that all compositions have the much better CMAS resistance than the classical Gd2Zr2O7. After 50 h corrosion at 1300℃, the corrosion depth in ZrO2‐doped YTaO4 bulks is about 50–80 µm (for a 20 mg/cm2 CMAS deposition) in contrast with ~140 µm in Gd2Zr2O7 bulk. The CMAS corrosion mechanism of ZrO2‐doped YTaO4 is elucidated, and the excellent CMAS resistance is attributed to the rapid formation and followed thickening of dense reaction product layer. Furthermore, the effects of ZrO2 doping content on CMAS resistance of YTaO4 is discussed. It is elucidated that ZrO2 doping can inhibit the precipitation of apatite, decrease the consumption of CMAS melt, and change the morphology of dense reaction layer. In summary, minor doping of ZrO2 can ensure the excellent short‐ and long‐term CMAS resistance, but heavy doping of ZrO2 will degrade the long‐term CMAS resistance.
Toward understanding the reaction between silicon carbide and iridium in a broad temperature range
Authors: Golosov Mikhail A. , Lozanov Victor V. , Titov Anatoly T. , Baklanova Natalya I.
Published: June 2021

The reaction between iridium and SiC in the 1000°C–1900°C temperature range was studied in details. The rate of this reaction was found to depend not only on temperature, but also on the grain sizes of the initial reagents, oxygen impurities in SiC, as well as the Ir: SiC ratio. The use of fine‐grained initial reagents accelerates the reaction, whereas oxygen impurities in SiC powders slow it down. For the Ir: SiC ratio = 1:1, the IrSi silicide phase became dominant at 1400°C and remained the main phase at temperatures up to 1900°C. For the 3:1 ratio, Ir2Si was the main phase at 1900°C. It was suggested that stabilization of this phase is due to the quenching effect. No Si‐rich silicide phases were detected in the 1000°C–1900°C temperature range. The coefficients of thermal expansion of silicide phases were determined by high‐temperature X‐ray diffraction analysis.
Method for calculating dynamic yield stress of fresh cement pastes using a coaxial cylinder system
Authors: Peng Yiming , Ma Kunlin , Unluer Cise , Li Wenxu , Li Shuangjie , Shi Jinyan , Long Guangcheng
Published: June 2021

The calculation of the rheological parameters of fresh cement pastes plays a key role in understanding the rheology of cement‐based mixes. Because cement paste is not a simple Bingham fluid, a suitable nonlinear model must be found for characterizing its flow. A test system in which the rotational speed or shear rate can be changed in multiple steps is regarded as a suitable rheological test protocol because the paste reaches a steady state. Furthermore, theoretical derivations show that the solution of the Couette inverse problem corresponding to the modified Bingham model and the Herschel–Bulkley (H‐B) model is complex. However, a comparative analysis revealed that the yield stress of fresh paste could easily be obtained through a calculation process based on a Parabolic model. This study presents the complete calculation procedure for this model. The influence of the plug flow is considered, and test points with low minimum shear stress (τmin) are excluded. Finally, the accuracy of the proposed method is verified through comparisons with the results obtained using mini‐cone slump tests. These results show that the dynamic yield stress calculated using the expression of the Couette inverse problem based on the Parabolic model in consideration of the plug flow is very close to the yield stress obtained using the mini‐cone slump flow test. This proves that the proposed method could precisely characterize the dynamic yield stress of cement pastes.
Predicting nepheline precipitation in waste glasses using ternary submixture model and machine learning
Authors: Lu Xiaonan , Sargin Irmak , Vienna John D.
Published: June 2021

Nepheline precipitation in nuclear waste glasses during vitrification can be detrimental due to the negative effect on chemical durability often associated with its formation. Developing models to accurately predict nepheline precipitation from compositions is important for increasing waste loading since existing models can be overly conservative. In this study, an expanded dataset of 955 glasses, including 352 high‐level waste glasses, was compiled from literature data. Previously developed submixture models were refitted using the new dataset, where a misclassification rate of 7.8% was achieved. In addition, nine machine learning (ML) algorithms (k‐nearest neighbor, Gaussian process regression, artificial neural network, support vector machine, decision tree, etc.) were applied to evaluate their ability to predict nepheline precipitation from glass compositions. Model accuracy, precision, recall/sensitivity, and F1 scores were systemically compared between different ML algorithms and modeling protocols. Model prediction with an accuracy of ~0.9 (misclassification rate of ~10%) was observed for different algorithms under certain protocols. This study evaluated various ML models to predict nepheline precipitation in waste glasses, highlighting the importance of data preparation and modeling protocol, and their effect on model stability and reproducibility. The results provide insights into applying ML to predict glass properties and suggest areas for future research on modeling nepheline precipitation.
Against Simple Removal: A Defence of Defacement as a Response to Racist Monuments
Authors: Bell Macalester
Published: June 2021

In recent years, protesters around the world have been calling for the removal of commemorations honouring those who are, by contemporary standards, generally regarded as seriously morally compromised by their racism. According to one line of thought, leaving racist memorials in place is profoundly disrespectful, and doing so tacitly condones, and perhaps even celebrates, the racism of those honoured and memorialized. The best response is to remove the monuments altogether. In this article, I first argue against a prominent offense‐based account of the wrong of simply leaving memorials in place, unaltered, before offering my own account of this wrong. In at least some cases, these memorials wrong insofar as they express and exemplify a morally objectionable attitude of race‐based contempt. I go on to argue that the best way of answering this disrespect is through a process of expressively ‘dehonouring’ the subject. Removal of these commemorations is ultimately misguided, in many cases, because removal, by itself, cannot adequately dishonour, and simple removal does not fully answer the ways in which these memorials wrong. I defend a more nuanced approach to answering the wrong posed by these monuments, and I argue that public expressions of contempt through defacement have an ineliminable role to play in an apt dishonouring process.
Resistance at the Border: Kantian Political Theory and the Refugee Crisis
Authors: Messina James P.
Published: June 2021

On a certain orthodox Kantian view, when states violate migrants' rights to enter a foreign country , citizens of that country must comply with the laws and refrain from helping them gain access. After all, (i) philanthropic efforts are strictly subordinated to questions of right, and (ii) an important precondition of right is recognition of the state's authority to determine what counts as right in practice. Moreover, because the state has a mandate to control its borders, fixing rules for entry lies squarely within its jurisdiction. If its determination is unjust by some substantive standard, citizens ought to protest and campaign against it. But they may not violate it. Against this, I argue that the best understanding of Kantian political principles does not entail these conclusions. Rather, citizens may resist the state's pronouncements on matters like this and aid refugees in gaining entry to their target country, as long as they can do so without (a) compromising the stability of the state or (b) violating their neighbors' rights.
NRF2 signalling pathway: New insights and progress in the field of wound healing
Authors: Liu Yang , Yang Xiaofan , Liu Yutian , Jiang Tao , Ren Sen , Chen Jing , Xiong Hewei , Yuan Meng , Li Wenqing , Machens Hans‐Günther , Chen Zhenbing
Published: June 2021

As one of the most common pathological processes in the clinic, wound healing has always been an important topic in medical research. Improving the wound healing environment, shortening the healing time and promoting fast and effective wound healing are hot and challenging issues in clinical practice. The nuclear factor‐erythroid–related factor 2 (NFE2L2 or NRF2) signalling pathway reduces oxidative damage and participates in the regulation of anti‐oxidative gene expression in the process of oxidative stress and thus improves the cell protection. Activation of the NRF2 signalling pathway increases the resistance of the cell to chemical carcinogens and inflammation. The signal transduction pathway regulates anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant effects by regulating calcium ions, mitochondrial oxidative stress, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis and apoptosis. In this article, the role of the NRF2 signalling pathway in wound healing and its research progress in recent years are reviewed. In short, the NRF2 signalling pathway has crucial clinical significance in wound healing and is worthy of further study.
Trichomonas vaginalis and growing concern over drug resistance: a systematic review
Authors: Marques‐Silva M. , Lisboa C. , Gomes N. , Rodrigues A.G.
Published: June 2021

In the late 90s, a sharp increase of treatment failures of Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) infections with metronidazole (MTZ) was reported, representing a problem due to limited treatment options. We proposed to review the available evidence on the frequency of MTZ resistance by TV isolates and the relationship between treatment failure and in vitro resistance to MTZ. A systematic review based on the PRISMA guidelines was conducted by searching published studies in three different databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) up to December 2020. The extracted studies were uploaded to Covidence software; screening was guided based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Additionally, different articles were included through other sources. For each article, study design, objectives, study population and key outcomes were summarized. We found 403 references from the databases and four extra studies. After duplicate removal and screening of title, abstract and full text, 27 studies were included. The selected studies were published between 1983 and 2019; all except one addressed only vaginal TV infection. We identified four major populations in vitro MTZ resistance: two studies evaluated female adolescents; other two assessed HIV‐positive women. Fifteen studies considered MTZ resistance in newly diagnosed vaginal TV infection. Finally, eight articles studied in vitro susceptibility of isolates from women with clinical resistant trichomoniasis. High level of in vitro MTZ resistance was rare; low‐moderate level was described in most of the cases. Although clinical resistance to MTZ of trichomoniasis was widely reported, there was a paucity of prospective controlled studies. Our review unveiled the need to standardize susceptibility testing, to define breakpoints for detection of MTZ‐resistant isolates and to correlate with clinical outcome. It is important to establish criteria to define clinical resistance to MTZ. Such a consensus would foster the development of surveillance studies about clinical and microbiological response to MTZ treatment.
Tinea capitis asymptomatic carriers: what is the evidence behind treatment?
Authors: Aharaz A. , Jemec G.B.E. , Hay R.J. , Saunte D.M.L.
Published: June 2021

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection mostly affecting children. Epidemiology is changing over time due to migration, and it has been estimated that up to 40% of children from certain developing countries are affected. The mechanism of transmission is still unclear although asymptomatic carriage seems to have an influence in establishing persistent reservoirs that can cause or fuel epidemics. Screening and prophylactic treatment of close contacts of tinea capitis patients are therefore recommended by several international guidelines, but vaguely and not consistent. The treatments involved can be expensive, hard to integrate in everyday life, have well‐known side effects and some are not approved for the treatment of children. The aim of this review was to clarify the evidence behind treatment of human asymptomatic carriers of tinea capitis. Databases were searched for the ‘tinea capitis’, ‘carriers’ and ‘treatment’. Inclusion criteria were clinical trials, observational and interventional studies including case series (10+ cases) and case reports in English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and French. Reviews, guidelines, unclear reports and in vitro trials were excluded. A systematic review identified 10 studies with low to moderate evidence levels. The topical treatments ketoconazole, povidone‐iodine, miconazole and the systemic antifungals terbinafine and itraconazole have all shown significant effects in the mycological eradication of fungal conidia. General prophylactic hygienic measures may have a benefit. The scientific evidence behind the treatment of asymptomatic carriage of scalp dermatophytes is sparse and not of high quality. Yet, both topical and systemic antifungal agents show treatment efficacy. Considering the possible adverse effects, topical agents are preferable, but with necessary attention to the compliance of asymptomatic contacts with treatment.
Perilesional sun damage as a diagnostic clue for pigmented actinic keratosis and Bowen’s disease
Authors: Weber P. , Sinz C. , Rinner C. , Kittler H. , Tschandl P.
Published: June 2021

Background

Chronic sun damage in the background is common in pigmented actinic keratoses and Bowen’s disease (pAK/BD). While explainable artificial intelligence (AI) demonstrated increased background attention for pAK/BD, humans frequently miss this clue in dermatoscopic images because they tend to focus on the lesion.

Aim

To analyse whether perilesional sun damage is a robust diagnostic clue for pAK/BD and if teaching this clue to dermatoscopy users improves their diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

We assessed the interrater agreement and the frequency of perilesional sun damage in 220 dermatoscopic images and conducted a reader study with 124 dermatoscopy users. The readers were randomly assigned to one of two online tutorials; one tutorial pointed to perilesional sun damage as a clue to pAK/BD (group A) the other did not (group B). In both groups, we compared the frequencies of correct diagnoses before and after receiving the tutorial.

Results

The frequency of perilesional sun damage was higher in pAK/BD than in other types of pigmented skin lesions and interrater agreement was good (kappa = 0.675). The diagnostic accuracy for pAK/BD improved in both groups of readers (group A: +16.1%, 95%‐CI: 9.5–22.7; group B: +13.1%; 95%‐CI: 7.1–19.0; P for both <0.001), but the overall accuracy improved only in group A from (59.1% (95%‐CI: 55.0–63.1) to 63.5% (95%‐CI: 59.5–67.6); P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Perilesional sun damage is a good clue to differentiate pAK/BD from other pigmented skin lesions in dermatoscopic images, which could be useful for teledermatology. Knowledge of this clue improves the accuracy of dermatoscopy users, which demonstrates that insights from explainable AI can be used to train humans.
Effect of microwave pretreatment on the exchange energy of forage barley
Authors: Belov Alexander , Vasilyev Alexey , Dorokhov Alexey
Published: June 2021

The effect of microwave pretreatment on the exchange energy of forage barley was studied using the developed experimental setup. The novelty of the developed experimental setup in the summation of the power of microwave magnetrons in the waveguide, which provides an increase in productivity up to 50 kg/h while reducing energy consumption to 0.04 kW h/kg. The hypothesis of summation of the power of microwave magnetrons has been confirmed using a computer model in CST Studio. The average combined power of two magnetrons is 13 V A/m2. Using the method of planning the full factorial experiment, experimental studies of microwave pretreatment of forage barley of the second class with an exchange energy of 12 MJ/kg were carried out. Optimized significant factors affecting the pretreatment, such as grain moisture 16.5%, device power level 2, and the height of the waveguide end relative to the grain layer 41.7 mm. With these experimental parameters, the level of the exchange energy of forage barley will be 13.1 MJ/kg, which corresponds to forage barley of the first class. Microwave pretreatment of grain by increasing the exchange energy can increase the nutritional value of grain.

Practical applications

Increasing the exchange energy and nutritional value of forage barley will increase its digestibility by animals. It is proposed to use the developed microwave setup in agricultural farms to reduce energy consumption for grain pretreatment before feeding animals.
Moving geroscience from the bench to clinical care and health policy
Authors: Sierra Felipe , Caspi Avshalom , Fortinsky Richard H. , Haynes Laura , Lithgow Gordon J. , Moffitt Terrie E. , Olshansky S. Jay , Perry Daniel , Verdin Eric , Kuchel George A.
Published: June 2021

Geriatricians and others must embrace the emerging field of geroscience. Until recently geroscience research was pursued in laboratory animals, but now this field requires specialized expertise in the care of vulnerable older patients with multiple chronic diseases and geriatric syndromes, the population likely to benefit the most from emerging therapies. While chronological aging measures the inevitable passage of clock time that occurs equally for everyone, biological aging varies among individuals, and importantly, it is modifiable. Advances in our understanding of biological aging, the discovery of strategies for modifying its rate, and an appreciation of aging as a shared risk factor for chronic diseases have jointly led to the Geroscience Hypothesis. This hypothesis states that interventions modifying aging biology can slow its progression—resulting in the delay or prevention of the onset of multiple diseases and disorders. Here we wish to report on the Third Geroscience Summit held at National Institutes of Health on November 4–5, 2019, which highlighted the importance of engaging other disciplines including clinicians. Involvement by scientists with expertise in clinical trials, health outcomes research, behavioral and social sciences, health policy, and economics is urgently needed to translate geroscience discoveries from the bench to clinical care and health policy. Adding to the urgency of broadening this geroscience coalition is the emergence of biological aging as one the most important modifiable factors of COVID‐19, combined with the inability of our society to once again recognize and confront aging as a priority and opportunity when facing these types of public health emergencies.
Political connection, contract intensity, and OFDI: Evidence from China
Authors: Guo Guangyuan , Li Jing , Wang Dan , Zhang Lina
Published: June 2021

A typical feature of business–government relationships in China is that many Chinese firms have politically connected managers or board members; thus, these firms have greater access to privileges and resources in the domestic market. In this context, we examine how this domestic political connection affects firms’ greenfield investments. We first present a simple heterogeneous firm framework by incorporating political connections and contract enforcement into a monopolistic model. The theoretical proposition shows that the negative effect of political connections on a firm's probability of conducting outward foreign direct investment (FDI) is more pronounced in sectors that are more reliant on contract enforcement. Using merged Chinese listed company data and the fDi Markets database from 2004 to 2017, we empirically test and provide solid support for the theory that more connected firms are less likely to conduct greenfield investments in sectors with higher degrees of contract intensity. In addition, the negative effect is found to be more pronounced for state‐owned firms, those with higher productivity, and those in which the firm's chairman is also the firm's chief executive officer (CEO); however, the effect decreases for the years after 2013, which is when a nationwide anticorruption campaign was initiated.
Strategic Decision Making in the Digital Age: Expert Sentiment and Corporate Capital Allocation
Authors: Nauhaus Steffen , Luger Johannes , Raisch Sebastian
Published: June 2021

We develop a theoretical perspective on how the increasing data availability in the digital age affects firms’ strategic decisions. Specifically, we explore whether, and under which conditions, external experts’ collective assessment of product‐technology domains impacts firms’ allocation of capital to their strategic business units engaged in these domains. Drawing on decision comprehensiveness theory, we propose that such expert sentiment has informational value for capital allocation decisions, and that this value is contingent on the available information’s determinacy and quantity. We find evidence for our propositions by studying 669 capital allocation decisions made by 85 pharmaceutical firms from 2005 to 2016, and by using supervised machine learning classifiers to analyse expert sentiment in almost 250,000 articles. Our study contributes to the behavioural theory of the firm by showing that, contrary to what scholars traditionally assume, decision makers broaden, rather than narrow, their information processing in comprehensive information environments.
Effects of dietary counselling on micronutrient intakes in pregnant women in Finland
Authors: Kinnunen Tarja , Liu Yangbo , Koivisto Anna‐Maija , Virtanen Suvi , Luoto Riitta
Published: June 2021

The intake of some micronutrients is still a public health challenge for pregnant women in Finland. This study examined the effects of dietary counselling on micronutrient intakes among pregnant women at increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Finland. This study utilised data from was a cluster‐randomised controlled trial (n = 399), which aimed to prevent gestational diabetes. In the intervention group, the dietary counselling was carried out at four routine visits to maternity care and focused on dietary fat, fibre and saccharose intake. A validated 181‐item food frequency questionnaire was used for evaluating the participants' food consumption and nutrient intakes. The differences in changes in micronutrient intakes from baseline (pre‐pregnancy) to 36–37 weeks' gestation were compared between the intervention and the usual care groups using multilevel mixed‐effects linear regression models, adjusted for confounders. Based on the multiple‐adjusted model, the counselling increased the intake of niacin equivalent (coefficient 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03–0.97), vitamin D (0.24, CI 0.05–0.43), vitamin E (0.46, CI 0.26–0.66) and magnesium (5.05, CI 0.39–9.70) and maintained the intake of folate (6.50, CI 1.44–11.56), from early pregnancy to 36 to 37 weeks' gestation. Except for folate and vitamin D, the mean intake of the micronutrients from food was adequate in both groups at baseline and the follow‐up. In conclusion, the dietary counselling improved the intake of several vitamins and minerals from food during pregnancy. Supplementation on folate and vitamin D is still needed during pregnancy.
RETRACTED: The genomics of mimicry: Gene expression throughout development provides insights into convergent and divergent phenotypes in a Müllerian mimicry system
Authors: Stuckert Adam M. M. , Chouteau Mathieu , McClure Melanie , LaPolice Troy M. , Linderoth Tyler , Nielsen Rasmus , Summers Kyle , MacManes Matthew D.
Published: June 2021

A common goal in evolutionary biology is to discern the mechanisms that produce the astounding diversity of morphologies seen across the tree of life. Aposematic species, those with a conspicuous phenotype coupled with some form of defence, are excellent models to understand the link between vivid colour pattern variations, the natural selection shaping it, and the underlying genetic mechanisms underpinning this variation. Mimicry systems in which multiple species share the same conspicuous phenotype can provide an even better model for understanding the mechanisms of colour production in aposematic species, especially if comimics have divergent evolutionary histories. Here we investigate the genetic mechanisms by which vivid colour and pattern are produced in a Müllerian mimicry complex of poison frogs. We did this by first assembling a high‐quality de novo genome assembly for the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. This assembled genome is 6.8 Gbp in size, with a contig N50 of 300 Kbp R. imitator and two colour morphs from both Ranitomeya fantastica and R. variabilis which R. imitator mimics. We identified a large number of pigmentation and patterning genes that are differentially expressed throughout development, many of them related to melanocyte development, melanin synthesis, iridophore development and guanine synthesis. Polytypic differences within species may be the result of differences in expression and/or timing of expression, whereas convergence for colour pattern between species does not appear to be due to the same changes in gene expression. In addition, we identify the pteridine synthesis pathway (including genes such as qdpr and xdh) as a key driver of the variation in colour between morphs of these species. Finally, we hypothesize that genes in the keratin family are important for producing different structural colours within these frogs.
Large‐scale genome sampling reveals unique immunity and metabolic adaptations in bats
Authors: Moreno Santillán Diana D. , Lama Tanya M. , Gutierrez Guerrero Yocelyn T. , Brown Alexis M. , Donat Paul , Zhao Huabin , Rossiter Stephen J. , Yohe Laurel R. , Potter Joshua H. , Teeling Emma C. , Vernes Sonja C. , Davies Kalina T. J. , Myers Eugene , Hughes Graham M. , Huang Zixia , Hoffmann Federico , Corthals Angelique P. , Ray David A. , Dávalos Liliana M.
Published: June 2021

Comprising more than 1,400 species, bats possess adaptations unique among mammals including powered flight, unexpected longevity, and extraordinary immunity. Some of the molecular mechanisms underlying these unique adaptations includes DNA repair, metabolism and immunity. However, analyses have been limited to a few divergent lineages, reducing the scope of inferences on gene family evolution across the Order Chiroptera. We conducted an exhaustive comparative genomic study of 37 bat species, one generated in this study, encompassing a large number of lineages, with a particular emphasis on multi‐gene family evolution across immune and metabolic genes. In agreement with previous analyses, we found lineage‐specific expansions of the APOBEC3 and MHC‐I gene families, and loss of the proinflammatory PYHIN gene family. We inferred more than 1,000 gene losses unique to bats, including genes involved in the regulation of inflammasome pathways such as epithelial defence receptors, the natural killer gene complex and the interferon‐gamma induced pathway. Gene set enrichment analyses revealed genes lost in bats are involved in defence response against pathogen‐associated molecular patterns and damage‐associated molecular patterns. Gene family evolution and selection analyses indicate bats have evolved fundamental functional differences compared to other mammals in both innate and adaptive immune system, with the potential to enhance antiviral immune response while dampening inflammatory signalling. In addition, metabolic genes have experienced repeated expansions related to convergent shifts to plant‐based diets. Our analyses support the hypothesis that, in tandem with flight, ancestral bats had evolved a unique set of immune adaptations whose functional implications remain to be explored.