bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First report of Avicennia germinans (Acanthaceae) as a larval host of Junonia litoralis (Nymphalidae) causing higher foliar damage in seedlings than trees
Authors: Zamora‐Tovar Carlos , Fierro‐Cabo Alejandro , Lindig‐Cisneros Roberto , Feller Ilka C.
Published: April 2022

Herbivory is considered an important biotic interaction in mangroves. Nevertheless, detailed information on specific plant–herbivore interactions that might have considerable influence in ecological and evolutionary processes is still very poor and fragmented. Herbivory damage was quantified during December 2015 in seedlings and trees in monospecific stands of Avicennia germinans in Laguna Madre of Tamaulipas, Mexico. The use of this mangrove species as a larval host is well documented; however, this is the first report for Junonia litoralis. These lepidopteran larvae consumed, on average, 10.2% of the leaf area; but herbivory was higher on seedlings (mean 15%) than on trees (mean 2.3%). These values are comparable to estimations of 10% mean herbivory damage in other field studies. This indicates that herbivores cause greater damage in seedlings than in trees. Herbivore activity by J. litoralis only occurred in A. germinans and did not affect associated herbs or shrubs of other species. The close interaction between J. litoralis and A. germinans may have profound implications for ecological and evolutionary processes of mangroves and enables a better understanding of ecosystem function and its conservation. Further studies are needed to investigate such interactions and their implications including long‐term monitoring of interstitial salinity and leaf chemistry at different stages of growth and maturity of the host species.
Role of CT angiography and therapeutic anticoagulation in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Newman Chris , Nandurkar Rohan , Holcdorf David , Gerstenmaier Jan , Tagkalidis Peter , Clements Warren
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is associated with morbidity and mortality. There can be a low threshold for practitioners to assess for active GIB and computed tomography angiography (CTA) examinations are performed frequently, even for stable patients and those who are therapeutically anticoagulated. We aimed to assess the predictive value of CTA for acute GIB and the influence of CTA on treatment.

Methods

Retrospective single‐centre study over a 2‐year period.

Results

A total of 227 patients with mean age 67.7 years (SD 17.86), 58.6% male. 84.4% were for lower GIB. 49 patients were on therapeutic anticoagulation (21.6%). 45 CTAs were positive (19.8%). 22 patients received embolisation, and 15 received acute endoscopic treatment. CTA sensitivity was 68.6% and specificity 89.1%. The PPV was 53.3% and NPV 93.9%. The odds ratio of a positive CTA requiring treatment for patients on therapeutic anticoagulation was 1.1 (P = 0.932) compared with the odds of patients not taking therapeutic anticoagulation 21.5 (P < 0.001). The risk ratio for requiring treatment if not taking anticoagulation was 6.2.

A total of 19 patients (9.1%) met the definition of CI‐AKI as a result of the CTA. A pre‐existing eGFR of less than 20 was associated with significantly increased odds of developing CI‐AKI (OR 3.95, P = 0.031, 95%CI 1.135–13.782).

Conclusions

The presence of anticoagulation has a significant impact on the decision not to perform interventional treatments on patients with acute GIB when CTA is positive. Anticoagulant reversal and volume resuscitation are important front‐line measures, and CTA may have a role for those anticoagulated who are haemodynamically unstable after resuscitation.
We live in a virtual world: Training the trainee using an integrated visual reality simulator curriculum
Authors: Mooney Samantha S. , Hiscock Richard J. , Hicks Lauren , Narula Shagun , Maher Peter J. , Readman Emma , Pendlebury Adam , Ellett Lenore
Published: April 2022

Background

Gynaecology trainees struggle to obtain adequate procedural experience. Training programs integrating virtual reality simulators (VRS) have been suggested as a solution.

Aims

The study aimed to assess if a VRS training program (LapSim®, Surgical Sciences, Göteborg, 2017) improved live operating performance at six months for novice and experienced trainees. Additional outcomes included the association between LapSim® logged time and live operating performance at six months, LapSim® scores and live operating performance at zero and sixmonths and the difference in benefit for novice and experienced gynaecology trainees.

Methods

A prospective intervention study was conducted. Novice and experienced trainees were enrolled, and comparisons made at zero‐ and six‐month time points. The intervention groups were provided with a laparoscopic gynaecology curriculum incorporating VRS. Controls underwent routine training only. Assessment of live operating performance was conducted after six months training.

Results

Thirty‐five trainees participated, and 25 had access to the VRS curriculum (17 novice and eight experienced trainees). Access to the VRS curriculum and time spent training on the LapSim® made no difference to live operating ability for either intervention group (P > 0.05). The median (interquartile range) hours of VRS usage were 7.9 (4.5–10.8) and 6.0 (4.0–6.8) for novice and experienced trainees respectively. The intervention group provided positive feedback on the utility of VRS in their laparoscopic skill development.

Conclusion

Optimal utilisation of VRS in Australian training paradigms remains incompletely understood. Further research is required to establish the most effective integration of VRS into training models to ensure uptake and transferability to the operating theatre.
Stratifying features for diagnosing hypertrophic stenosis on ultrasound: a diagnostic accuracy study
Authors: Vinycomb Toby I. , Vanhaltren Keith , Pacilli Maurizio , Ditchfield Michael , Nataraja Ramesh Mark
Published: April 2022

Background

Our aims were to determine if the diagnostic threshold for diagnosing hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) on ultrasound scan (USS) should be adjusted based on birth weight (BW), current weight (CW), gestational age (GA), chronological age (CA) or corrected gestational age (CGA).

Methods

All patients who underwent either an USS and pyloromyotomy (Group 1) or an USS for possible HPS (Group 2) at our tertiary centre between July 2013 and June 2019 were identified. Ideal threshold values are identified by measuring Youden's Index (J = sensitivity + specificity – 1; higher is better). Mean maximum Youden's Index for stratified results was compared to that for combined results.

Results

Two hundred and eighty‐four patients were included (142 patients in both Group 1 and Group 2). Combined maximum Youden's Index for all patients was 0.92 for pyloric canal thickness (PMT) and 0.87 for pyloric canal length (PCL). Mean maximum Youden's Index was higher when patients were stratified by GA, CGA, BW or CW, and equivalent for CA. For pyloric canal length (PCL), mean maximum Youden's Index was lower for all variables when stratified compared to combined. There was no visual trend observed in the diagnostic thresholds between groups.

Conclusion

Stratifying USS PMT diagnostic thresholds values based on age and weight is statistically more accurate than a single threshold in diagnosing HPS. However, the lack of visual correlation indicates a larger dataset is required to validate these results.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: outcomes of pregnancy in patients with autoimmune hepatitis
Authors: Si Tengfei , Huang Zhenlin , Hegarty Robert , Ma Yun , Heneghan Michael A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is common in females of childbearing age. Although some studies have provided information about the outcomes of pregnancy, there remains uncertainty regarding conclusions.

Aim

To comprehensively explore the interactions between pregnancy and AIH.

Methods

Databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Science Citation Index Expanded were searched to collect available studies in relation to pregnancy in AIH patients (from inception to 28 August 2021). Pooled data were calculated using a random effects model with standardised mean difference (SMD), or risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Twelve studies were considered eligible for meta‐analysis. Data from 26 case reports/series were extracted for systematic review. AST level in AIH patients was significantly lower during pregnancy (SMD = −0.41, 95% CI = [−0.70, −0.12]; SMD = −1.60, 95% CI = [−2.76, −0.44]) and loss of biochemical remission occurred more frequently in post‐partum (RR = 0.31, 95% CI = [0.19, 0.52]). Patients with portal hypertension or without established remission before conception presented as high‐risk subgroups and the incidence of pre‐term delivery was higher in these groups compared to other AIH patients (RR = 9, 95% CI = [1.22, 51.1]; RR = 0.05, 95% CI = [0.004, 0.38]). In population‐based comparison, pre‐term birth (RR = 2.45, 95% CI = [1.66, 3.62]) also occurred more often in AIH patients compared with the general population.

Conclusions

Successful pregnancy is a reasonable expectation in AIH. However, hepatic biochemistry should be monitored closely in both the puerperium and the post‐partum period. Though some patients may present higher risk, with carefully selected therapeutic manipulation and multi‐disciplinary care, the majority of mothers and infants should achieve uneventful outcomes.
Robust Bayesian Variable Selection for Gene–Environment Interactions
Authors: Ren Jie , Zhou Fei , Li Xiaoxi , Ma Shuangge , Jiang Yu , Wu Cen
Published: April 2022

Gene–environment (G× E) interactions have important implications to elucidate the etiology of complex diseases beyond the main genetic and environmental effects. Outliers and data contamination in disease phenotypes of G× E studies have been commonly encountered, leading to the development of a broad spectrum of robust regularization methods. Nevertheless, within the Bayesian framework, the issue has not been taken care of in existing studies. We develop a fully Bayesian robust variable selection method for G× E interaction studies. The proposed Bayesian method can effectively accommodate heavy-tailed errors and outliers in the response variable while conducting variable selection by accounting for structural sparsity. In particular, for the robust sparse group selection, the spike-and-slab priors have been imposed on both individual and group levels to identify important main and interaction effects robustly. An efficient Gibbs sampler has been developed to facilitate fast computation. Extensive simulation studies, analysis of diabetes data with single-nucleotide polymorphism measurements from the Nurses' Health Study, and The Cancer Genome Atlas melanoma data with gene expression measurements demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method over multiple competing alternatives.
Short‐chain fatty acids regulate B cells differentiation via the FFA2 receptor to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yao Yao , Cai Xiaoyu , Zheng Yongquan , Zhang Meng , Fei Weidong , Sun Dongli , Zhao Mengdan , Ye Yiqing , Zheng Caihong
Published: April 2022

Background and Purpose

Short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites from gut microbes involved in the host's inflammatory response and immunity. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of SCFAs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and possible mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

Gut microbiota diversity in mice was analysed by 16S rDNA sequencing. SCFAs levels were analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. T and B cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Bone damage was analysed by micro‐CT and X‐ray. Histopathological status was analysed by HE staining. Proteins in tissues were analysed by immunohistochemistry and PCR. Mice with CD19+ B cells deficient in FFA2 receptors were used to explore the molecular mechanisms involved.

Key Results

Levels of acetate, propionate, butyrate, and valerate were decreased in RA patients, and the first three correlated positively with the frequency of Bregs but not Tregs in peripheral blood. Administration of the three SCFAs prior to the onset of collagen‐induced arthritis in mice improved arthritic symptoms, increased the Bregs frequency, and decreased transitional B and follicular B cell frequency. However, the preceding phenomena could not be observed in mice with CD19+ B cells deficient in FFA2 receptors. The effects of the three SCFAs in RA were dependent on FFA2 receptors but were independent of the other five B cell receptors (FFA3 receptor, HCA2 receptor, PPARγ, Olfr‐78, and AhR).

Conclusions and Implications

SCFAs regulate B cells differentiation via FFA2 receptors to alleviate RA. This provides new insights into the treatment of RA from an immunological and microbiological perspective.
Clinical features and prevalence of Klinefelter syndrome in transgender individuals: A systematic review
Authors: Liang Bonnie , Cheung Ada S. , Nolan Brendan J.
Published: April 2022

Objective

Previous studies have suggested a higher prevalence of Klinefelter syndrome amongst transgender individuals. We undertook a systematic review to determine the prevalence of Klinefelter syndrome amongst transgender individuals presumed male at birth and summarize the clinical features and potential treatment implications for individuals with Klinefelter syndrome commencing gender‐affirming hormone therapy.

Design

Using preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta‐analysis guidelines, we searched EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) up to 31 December 2021. All studies reporting on the prevalence or clinical features of transgender individuals with Klinefelter syndrome were included. This study is registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews, number CRD42021227916.

Results

Our search strategy retrieved 11 cohort studies comprising 1376 transgender individuals. In all, 14 of 1376 (1.02%) individuals were diagnosed with Klinefelter syndrome. Based on the seven studies in which karyotype was undertaken in all individuals, the prevalence is 9/1013 (0.88%; 95% CI, 0.41%−1.68%). Case reports highlight unique treatment considerations in this population, including azoospermia, venous thromboembolism, and monitoring of breast cancer and bone health.

Conclusions

Compared to the general population, observational studies document a higher prevalence of Klinefelter syndrome amongst transgender individuals, though underdiagnosis in the general population limits conclusions. Routine karyotype in transgender people initiating gender‐affirming hormone therapy is not supported unless clinical features of Klinefelter syndrome, such as small testicular volume, or hypergonadotropic hypogonadism are present. Transgender individuals with Klinefelter syndrome need to manage a unique risk profile if they desire feminizing gender‐affirming hormone therapy.
Limitations of fine‐needle aspiration and core needle biopsies in the diagnosis of tall cell variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Ahn Jonghwa , Jin Meihua , Kim Won Gu , Kim Tae Yong , Kim Won Bae , Shong Young Kee , Baek Jung Hwan , Song Dong Eun , Jeon Min Ji
Published: April 2022

Background

The tall cell variant papillary thyroid carcinoma (TCV‐PTC) shows aggressive behaviour. Thus far, the diagnosis of TCV‐PTC can only be confirmed using the postoperative specimen. This study aims to evaluate whether fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) or core needle biopsy (CNB) could diagnose TCV‐PTC preoperatively.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study. We included adult patients diagnosed with TCV‐PTC or PTC with tall cell features (TCF) at final surgical pathology between January 2015 and December 2018. Preoperative histology was reviewed for six cytomorphologic features suggesting TCV‐PTC in FNA or the percentage of tall cells in the CNB specimen. The postoperative pathology was also reviewed to confirm the percentage of tall cells.

Results

A total of 119 patients were included in this study; 35 (29%) patients with PTC with TCF served as controls. The most frequent cytomorphological feature in FNA samples of TCV‐PTC was tall columnar cells, including single tombstone‐like cells (70%). Among 43 TCV‐PTC evaluated by FNA, 3 FNA (7%) revealed the absence of any of the six cytomorphologic features suggesting TCV‐PTC. When we defined 30% of tall cells in CNB specimens as a cutoff suggesting TCV‐PTC, only 16 (41%) TCV‐PTCs could be preoperatively detected, and 3 (7%) TCV‐PTCs did not have any tall cells. The proportion of tall cells was not associated with the postoperative percentage of tall cells.

Conclusion

Both cytomorphologic features in FNA and the percentage of tall cells in CNB present limitations for use as accurate preoperative diagnostic tools of TCV‐PTC.
Negative associations of ideal family size achievement with hypertension, obesity and maternal age in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Tay Chau Thien , Loxton Deborah , Khomami Mahnaz Bahri , Teede Helena , Joham Anju E.
Published: April 2022

Objective

To investigate lifetime reproductive outcomes and the relationship of ideal family size (IFS) achievement with metabolic, psychiatric and reproductive history in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Patient(s)

A total of 9034 women with (n = 778) and without self‐reported PCOS (n = 8256) born between 1973 and 1978 in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.

Measurements

Self‐reported IFS achievement and total number of live births.

Results

Women with and without PCOS aspired for similar IFS. Compared with women without PCOS, significantly less women with PCOS achieved their IFS (53.08% vs. 60.47%, p < 0.001). Higher proportion of women with PCOS did not achieve a live birth (37.15% vs. 31.64%, p = 0.002) and their median total number of live births was also lower (1 vs. 2, p < 0.001) than women without PCOS. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, negative associations were observed between IFS achievement and PCOS status, various metabolic, psychiatric and reproductive history. However, only hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–1.00), obesity (adjusted OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.69–0.90), history of in vitro fertilisation use (IVF) (adjusted OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.38–0.63) and maternal age at first childbirth (adjusted OR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.91–0.93) remained inversely associated with achievement of IFS in further multivariable regression models.

Conclusion

Metabolic conditions and reproductive history of maternal age at first childbirth and history of IVF use, but not psychological conditions, were associated with reduced odds of achieving IFS. Early family planning/initiation and optimisation of metabolic health may help to improve reproductive outcomes.
Current status of noninvasive endoscopic assessment of gastric cancer risk and future perspective
Authors: Handa Osamu , Umegaki Eiji , Shiotani Akiko
Published: April 2022

This Editorial refers to the article by M. Kawamura et al., p 508‐516 of this issue DEN 34:3.
A mixture of p‐anisaldehyde and ethyl nicotinate elicits positive antennal and behavioral responses in Frankliniella occidentalis
Authors: Tian HouJun , Chen YiXin , Chen Yong , Chen XiuQin , Lin Shuo , Zhang Jie , Yang Guang , Wei Hui
Published: April 2022

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a destructive, invasive pest that has spread rapidly throughout China. Traps for the prevention and control of thrips typically use a single attractant, and few studies have evaluated effective compound combinations. In this study, the attractant effects of ethyl nicotinate and p‐anisaldehyde on female F. occidentalis were evaluated. Electroantennography recorded the highest depolarization for the mixture of p‐anisaldehyde and ethyl nicotinate standards at a 1:1 mass ratio, and this depolarization was significantly higher than that of the other compounds investigated. The Y‐tube olfactometer results show that the olfactory responses of female F. occidentalis to ethyl nicotinate, p‐anisaldehyde, and their mixtures (at a 1:1 mass ratio) at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 μg μl−1 were significantly higher than those to liquid paraffin. The strongest response was toward 0.05 g l−1 ethyl nicotinate or p‐anisaldehyde and the 1 g l−1 mixture of p‐anisaldehyde and ethyl nicotinate standards combined at a 1:1 mass ratio, but high concentration caused a weak reaction. Greenhouse experiments revealed that various concentrations of the attractants were successful in trapping thrips. The attractant mixture at a concentration of 1 g l−1 was the most effective at luring thrips. Compared with traps without any attractants, those with attractants trapped at least double the number of F. occidentalis. Our study is the first to comprehensively evaluate female F. occidentalis responses to p‐anisaldehyde and ethyl nicotinate using electrophysiological, Y‐tube olfactometer, and greenhouse trapping analyses. The methods used also proved to be valuable for evaluating the potential of attractants to control F. occidentalis.
Parental breakup and children's outcomes in the United States
Authors: Bayaz‐Öztürk Gülgün
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study investigates differences between health trajectories of children of divorce or separation and children of continuously married families.

Background

Over the past 50 years, during which fewer children grew up in families with both biological parents, there has been an increased academic interest to understand how children fared in alternative family structures.

Method

This study uses retrospective illness histories from a recent supplement to the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to conduct a longitudinal analysis of parental breakup and child health.

Results

Children of divorce were found to exhibit higher prevalence of several illnesses during adolescence and young adulthood than children of continuously married families. Controlling for family resources and parental mental health moderated the relationship between parental breakup and negative health outcomes. However, significant associations between parental breakup and children's health outcomes remained.

Conclusion

This study provides a general outline of how parental breakup is associated with children's health trajectories. Although the analysis controls for an extensive set of variables by employing a quasi‐experimental method, caution in interpreting these findings as causal relationships is warranted.

Implications

Given the evidence presented, it is vital that parents and children have easy access to coping‐focused preventive interventions designed to reduce adverse effects of divorce on children.
Cycloserine enantiomers inhibit PLP‐dependent cysteine desulfurase SufS via distinct mechanisms
Authors: Nakamura Ryosuke , Ogawa Shoko , Takahashi Yasuhiro , Fujishiro Takashi
Published: April 2022

The cysteine desulfurase SufS is a pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate‐dependent enzyme and is essential for the SUF system, which participates in iron–sulfur cluster biosynthesis. Inhibition of SufS in the SUF system by D‐cycloserine (DCS) in Plasmodium falciparum apicoplast has recently been reported, indicating that SufS could be a target for malaria therapeutics. However, the mechanistic details underlying the inhibition of SufS by DCS have not yet been clarified. Moreover, inhibition of SufS by the other enantiomer, L‐cycloserine (LCS), has not been investigated. Herein, we investigated the structure‐based inhibition mechanisms of SufS by DCS and LCS using Bacillus subtilis SufS, whose catalytic mechanism has been well characterized in comparison to that of the P. falciparum SufS. Surprisingly, DCS‐ and LCS‐mediated inhibitions of SufS occur via distinct mechanisms resulting in pyridoxamine‐5′‐phosphate (PMP) in DCS‐mediated inhibition and PMP‐3‐hydroxyisoxazole adduct (PMP‐isoxazole) in LCS‐mediated inhibition. Biochemical and structural evaluation of SufS variants identified conserved His and Arg residues at the active site as the key determinants of the distinct inhibition mechanisms. The importance of structural elements involved in DCS and LCS‐mediated inhibitions of SufS provides valuable insights for the structure‐based design of new drugs targeting SufS.

Database

Structural data are available in PDB database under the accession numbers 6KFY, 7CEO, 7CEP, 7CEQ, 7CER, 7CES, 7CET, 7CEU, 7E6A, 7E6B, 7E6C, 7E6D, 7E6E, and 7E6F.
Experiences of parents whose children participated in a longitudinal follow‐up study
Authors: Franke Nike , Rogers Jennifer , Wouldes Trecia , Ward Kim , Brown Gavin , Jonas Monique , Keegan Peter , Harding Jane
Published: April 2022

Background

Long‐term follow‐up is necessary to understand the impact of perinatal interventions. Exploring parents' motives and experiences in consenting to their children taking part in longitudinal studies and understanding what outcomes are important to families may enhance participation and mitigate the loss to follow‐up. As existing evidence is largely based on investigators' perspectives using Western samples, the present pilot study explored parents' perspectives in a multicultural New Zealand context.

Methods

Data were generated using semi‐structured interviews with parents whose children had participated in a longitudinal study after neonatal recruitment. Parents' experiences of being part of the study were analysed thematically using an inductive approach.

Results

Parents (n = 16) were generally happy with the outcomes measured. Additionally, parents were interested in lifelong goals such as the impact of parental diabetes. We identified three themes: (1) Facilitators: Research participation was aided by motives and parent and research characteristics such as wishing to help others and straightforward recruitment; (2) Barriers: A hesitancy to participate was due to technical and clinical research aspects, participation burden and cultural barriers, such as complex wording, time commitment and nonindigenous research and (3) Benefits: Children and parents experienced advantages such as the opportunity for education.

Conclusions

Parents reported positive experiences and described the unexpected benefit of increasing families' health knowledge through participation. Improvements for current follow‐up studies were identified. Different ethnicities reported different experiences and perspectives, which warrants ongoing research, particularly with indigenous research participants.

Patient or Public Contribution

No active partnership with parents of patients took place.
Vertical cross‐ownership, input price discrimination, and social welfare
Authors: Sun Ji , Wang Leonard F. S.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we analyze the impact of vertical cross‐ownership with input price discrimination on social welfare. A higher degree of product differentiation will raise industry profit, consumer surplus, and social welfare; under forward cross‐ownership, a higher degree of cross‐ownership has the same effect, in addition, it will reduce rival firm's profit and increase upstream firm's profit; however, under backward cross‐ownership, a higher degree of cross‐ownership has an opposite effect. Furthermore, under Cournot and Bertrand competition, forward cross‐ownership will incentivize downstream firms to produce more via a lower input price, achieving the above effect.
Bioactive compounds extracted by liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide from citrus peels
Authors: Romano Raffaele , De Luca Lucia , Aiello Alessandra , Rossi Danilo , Pizzolongo Fabiana , Masi Paolo
Published: April 2022

This work investigated the extraction of bioactive compounds from citrus peels, an agri‐food waste. Carbon dioxide (CO2), an eco‐friendly solvent, was used under liquid and supercritical conditions to perform the extractions from orange, tangerine and lemon peels. The possibility of using ethanol as a cosolvent at small percentages up to 20% was also studied. The extraction yield, total polyphenolic content, individual polyphenolic profile, antiradical activity and volatile organic compounds of the extracts were evaluated.

The highest yields were obtained when 20% ethanol was used as a cosolvent in both liquid (at 20 MPa and 20 °C) and supercritical (at 30 MPa and 60 °C) CO2 extraction. In addition, the extracts obtained with liquid CO2 + 20% ethanol showed the highest content of naringin (35.26, 44.05 and 19.86 mg g‐1 in orange, tangerine and lemon peel extracts, respectively) and terpenes, in particular limonene. This type of extract also showed the highest antiradical activity (31.78–59.51 µmolTE g‐1) as measured by both ABTS·+ and DPPH·.

These findings show that the extraction with a liquid CO2 and ethanol mixture could be a valid alternative to traditional solvent extraction using 80% less organic solvent and producing extracts with high antiradical capacity and rich in volatile organic compounds.
Nigella sativa oil extract: A natural novel specific conjugal transfer inhibitor of vancomycin resistance from vanA/B-resistant Enterococcus faecium to Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ahmad Adel Attia M. , Gharib Ahlam A. , Elshorbgy Ibrahim , Elewasy Omnia A. , Elmowalid Gamal A.
Published: April 2022

Aim

The emergence of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) has been identified as one of the most challenging problems in healthcare settings worldwide. Specific conjugation inhibitors' development is critical in the fight against the spread of emerging VRSA. The impact of Nigella sativa oil on VR genes conjugal transfer from Enterococcus faecium (VREtfm) to vancomycin-sensitive S. aureus (VSSA) was investigated in this study.

Methods and Results

Enterococciwere isolated from retail broilers, fish, cows' milk, and human urine. VR E. faecalis and VREtfm VanA phenotypes were prevalent in retail broiler samples. The VREtfm isolates were dominant, exhibiting high levels of resistance to gentamycin and ciprofloxacin antibiotics, as well as the existence of both vanA and vanB genes and virulence traits (ESP+, asa1+) as determined by PCR. Transconjugant VREtfm strains containing vanA/vabB and 20 kb plasmids (transfer frequency around 103) and carrying the Tn1546 transposon were identified. Tn1546 transposon transfer with its VR markers to VSSA was effectively inhibited in treated VREtfm donor strains with a sub-minimum inhibitory concentration of N. sativa oil.

The Significance and Impact of the Study

This work offers new insights for overcoming VR conjugal transfer utilizing natural N. sativa oil, as well as a suggestion for a novel specialized conjugation inhibitor that could effectively facilitate the difficulty of eliminating VR bacteria from healthcare settings.
The age of death in Japanese patients with type 2 and type 1 diabetes: A descriptive epidemiological study
Authors: Nishioka Yuichi , Kubo Shinichiro , Okada Sadanori , Myojin Tomoya , Higashino Tsuneyuki , Imai Kenjiro , Sugiyama Takehiro , Noda Tatsuya , Ishii Hitoshi , Takahashi Yutaka , Imamura Tomoaki
Published: April 2022

This study clarified the age of death in patients with or without diabetes using the largest health insurance database in Japan. This population‐based retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB) data. The ages of death between people with and without diabetes were compared. A total of 142,277,986 patients (74,488,962 women and 67,789,024 men) over 6 years, including 4,647,016 females, and 6,507,817 males with diabetes, were included. 2,786,071 females and 2,975,876 males died over 6 years, including 652,699 females and 954,655 males with diabetes. The average age of death in patients with diabetes was 2.6 years less than that of patients without diabetes. This descriptive epidemiological study illustrated the difference in age at death of patients with and without diabetes.
Exposure of zebrafish to a cold environment triggered cellular autophagy in zebrafish liver
Authors: Chen Hong , Zhao Fange , Chen Kexing , Guo Yihan , Liang Yue , Zhao Huiying , Chen Shulin
Published: April 2022

Water temperature is the major ecophysiological factor for fish survival in nature and aquaculture. Compared with many homeotherms, fish can survive prolonged periods under the condition of low temperature. However, the metabolic strategies of the liver under a cold environment are still unknown in this species. In our present study, adult zebrafish were exposed to a cold or cold plus starvation environment to analyse the morphological characteristics of hepatocytes by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fish livers were dissected and observed under a microscope, and the liver size and shape appeared normal in all groups. Periodic acid‐Schiff and TEM analysis showed that hepatic glycogen was significantly lower in zebrafish exposed to cold acclimation (CF group) than that zebrafish at the control water temperature (CT group). Moreover, qPCR and IHC results indicated that the expression of PYGL (a key enzyme involved in glycogenolysis) markedly increased in the CF group. After cold plus starvation treatment (CS group), autophagy activity was significantly enhanced and numerous mitophagic vacuoles were present in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes. In conclusion, hepatic glycogen was first mobilizing to supply energy, and then autophagy, especially mitophagy, played vital roles during nutrient deprivation in fish species.
Characterization factors for ocean acidification impacts on marine biodiversity
Authors: Scherer Laura , Gürdal İrem , van Bodegom Peter M.
Published: April 2022

Rising greenhouse gas emissions do not only accelerate climate change but also make the ocean more acidic. This applies above all to carbon dioxide (CO2). Lower ocean pH levels threaten marine ecosystems and especially strongly calcifying species. Impacts on marine ecosystem quality are currently underrepresented in life cycle assessments (LCAs). Here, we developed characterization factors for the life cycle impact assessment of ocean acidification. Our main contribution was developing new species sensitivity distributions (SSDs), from which we derived effect factors for different impact perspectives: Marginal, linear, and average changes for both the past and four future emission scenarios (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5). Based on a dataset that covered five taxa (corals, crustaceans, echinoderms, fishes, molluscs) and three climate zones, we showed significantly higher sensitivities for strongly calcifying than slightly calcifying taxa and in polar regions compared to tropical and temperate regions. Experimental duration, leading to acute, subchronic, or chronic toxicological endpoints, did not significantly affect the species sensitivities. With ocean acidification impacts still accelerating, the future‐oriented average effects are higher than the marginal or past‐oriented average effects. While our characterization factors are ready for use in LCA, we also point to opportunities for improvement in future developments.
Improving the estimation of ship emissions using the high‐spatiotemporal resolution wind fields simulated by the Weather Research and Forecast model: A case study in China
Authors: Fu Xinyi , Chen Dongsheng , Guo Xiurui , Lang Jianlei , Zhou Ying
Published: April 2022

Ships, sailing in favorable wind or obstructed by wind, will operate with different output power of the engines, and the exhaust emissions will be different even though the ships are sailing at the same ground speed. In this study, the influence of wind was taken into consideration; the ship emission inventory (0.025° × 0.025°) in China of a full year (2014) was reassessed. A speed modification model was employed to figure out the actual output speed of ships by integrating AIS data and the hourly wind. The Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model was applied to predict the hourly real‐time wind field. The spatial and temporal changes in emissions between the results calculated by the proposed method and our previous study were presented. Overall, when considering the influence of wind, the total ship emissions for the year would increase. In this study, the total estimated emissions of SO2, NOx, PM10, PM2.5, HC, and CO in the area were 1.286 × 106, 2.583 × 106, 2.135× 105, 1.967 × 105, 1.522 × 105, and 3.053 × 105 t(metric tons) in 2014, respectively. Under the influence of wind, the proportion of the regions’ emissions to the total was close to that of the previous study. For SO2 and NOx, emissions presented significant monthly variations. On a monthly timescale, the difference in emissions was more obvious between the results considering and not considering the wind, relative to that on a yearly basis. This study adjusted the method of ship emission estimation, which modified the ship emission inventory over an hourly timescale.
Latent Blackness: Afro‐Brazilian People, History, and Culture in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Gillam Reighan
Published: April 2022

This article examines the ways in which blackness operates in relation to São Paulo's identity as a city of modernity and progress. Drawing from participant observation during public events and projects directed toward the Black population, I introduce the term “latent blackness” as a way to understand Afro‐Brazilians’ perspectives on how Black history and culture are included in the city. Latent blackness moves beyond notions of the absence and erasure of blackness to make sense of Afro‐Brazilian perspectives on their role in São Paulo's history and identity. The concept of latent blackness adds to understandings of how Black people articulate the shortcomings of their relationship to the city and how race and regionalism intersect in Brazil.
Metastatic endometrioid carcinoma in a hybrid Leontopithecus sp.
Authors: Pereira Asheley Henrique Barbosa , Pissinatti Lorenzo , Moreira Silvia Bahadian , Pissinatti Alcides , Ubiali Daniel Guimarães
Published: April 2022

Primary female reproductive neoplasms in Platyrrhines species are few reported. We present the gross, histological, and immunohistochemical findings of metastatic endometrioid carcinoma in the uterus, urinary bladder, jejunum, and rectum of a Leontopithecus sp. The neoplastic endometrial cells expressed strong cytoplasmic immunolabeling of cytokeratin 7.
Updated meta‐analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of serum anti‐Mullerian hormone in poly cystic ovary syndrome involving 13 509 subjects
Authors: Anand Shikha , Kumar Amit , Prasad Anupa , Trivedi Kiran
Published: April 2022

Aim

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH) in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

Two independent reviewers searched the electronic databases and search engines using PubMed, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar systematically to retrieve relevant articles published from inception to September 2021. The diagnostic efficacy of AMH was computed using the random‐effects model in terms of pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). A meta‐regression and subgroup analysis were performed to check for any source which could explain possible heterogeneity. Risk of bias assessment was conducted using the QUADAS‐2 tool recommended by Cochrane Library.

Results

This meta‐analysis included a total of 41 studies involving 13 509 subjects. We observed promising pooled sensitivity 0.78 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.81), specificity 0.87 (95% CI 0.84 to 0.90), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) 24 (95% CI 15 to 37), for AMH in detecting PCOS and discriminatory power (summary receiver operating characteristic [SROC] curves, 0.89 [95% CI 0.86–0.92]). The most prominent bias was noted in the patient selection and index test assessment.

Conclusions

With the findings of this current meta‐analysis, we conclude serum AMH to be a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS, however, substantial heterogeneity among studies needs individual patient data analysis in order to identify an optimal cut‐off value and homogenous findings.

Registration Number and Guidelines

This meta‐analysis was performed according to constructed protocol registered in the PROSPERO database with registration number CRD42021246910.
Muscle proximate composition of various food fish species and their nutritional significance: A review
Authors: Ahmed Imtiaz , Jan Kousar , Fatma Shabihul , Dawood Mahmoud A. O.
Published: April 2022

Today, there is a growing awareness about the importance of eating nutritious foods and fish is gaining momentum as a result of its unique nutritional benefits. Fish are considered as nutritionally valuable part of the human diet because of the presence of both macronutrients (proteins, lipids and ash) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). These nutrients are indispensable in human nutrition and have proven to be involved in several metabolic functions. The nutritional content can be used to rank different fish species based on their nutritional and functional benefits, allowing consumers to make better decisions according to their requirements. Proximate composition of fish includes determination of moisture, protein, fat and ash contents, which constitutes about 96%−98% of the total constituents of the fish body. The study of these components gives us a clear understanding in assessing the energy value of the fishes. In the present study, an attempt has been made to provide a concise review about the proximate composition of various fish species from different parts of the world in order to evaluate the high‐protein, low‐fat food with excellent nutritional values and to enlighten the different exogenous and endogenous factors that are actually responsible for their variation. The review also provides an insight into the characteristics of the chemical composition of various fish species, which are gaining importance for the sector involving fish and fishery products for domestic and foreign trade and for appreciating as animal feed all over the world.
Institutional, technical and financial sustainability of rural piped drinking water supply on a freshwater island: Case study of Likoma Island, Malawi
Authors: Holm Rochelle H. , Tembo Mavuto , Kasulo Victor , Gavanala Medson B. , Chilongo Lettow
Published: April 2022

Sustainable Development Goal 6 addresses the protection for both drinking water and lakes, and this is especially important for residents of a freshwater island. This study explores the institutional, technical and economic sustainability of a piped drinking water system operating on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi. Data were collected through household surveys and an analysis of historical records. Proximity and accessibility analyses were also conducted for households (n = 185) and their water sources. The results indicated that within 10 years after implementation of the system, 98% of the respondents had piped drinking water within 250 m of their households. Challenges to system sustainability unique to an island setting include the need for boat transportation, inconsistent electrical power supply and lack of island banking services. Factors contributing to broader system success include fishing households with cash income, limited dependence on communal taps, a strong mainland partner, tourism‐supported financial management, high payment rate amongst government institutions, system costs covered by pricing of water for customers and a manager with a high level of decision‐making authority. Opportunities to make the system more sustainable include reducing non‐revenue water losses, using drones or buying a dedicated boat for transport to the island and improving self‐sufficiency on the island to respond to equipment emergencies. Rural drinking water supplies in remote lake island communities must meet unique requirements for sustainable operation, and the institutional, technical and economic sustainability factors of Likoma Island illustrate a successful system likely to sustainably continue its operations into the future.
Olivine aggregates reveal a complex collisional history of the main group pallasite parent body
Authors: Walte Nicolas P. , Golabek Gregor J.
Published: April 2022

Olivine aggregates, bodies found in pallasites that consist of olivines with coherent grain boundaries and minor amounts of Fe‐Ni and troilite, likely represent well‐preserved samples of different mantle regions of pallasite parent bodies (PPBs). We investigated olivine aggregates from the main group pallasites Fukang, Esquel, Imilac, and Seymchan and compare their textures with results from deformation experiments. Our measurements reveal an inverse relationship between the grain size of olivines and the primary metal fraction inside olivine aggregates, which is explained by simultaneous grain growth retarded by Zener pinning in different mantle regions. Textural evidence indicates that the mantle has remained at high temperatures before initial cooling occurred shortly after pallasite formation that was likely caused by an impact. Different degrees of annealing of the deformation textures suggest that the postcollisional cooling occurred in the order Seymchan, Imilac, Esquel, and Fukang. We interpret this observation with an increasing burial depth after the collision. We also demonstrate that the mantle has not been convecting before the impact despite being at high temperature. Using the minimum critical Rayleigh number, we estimate PPB radii assuming different core radii. Our results question the recent ferromagmatism hypothesis for pallasite formation and support a multistage formation process that includes one or several impacts.
Salinity and host drive Ulva‐associated bacterial communities across the Atlantic–Baltic Sea gradient
Authors: van der Loos Luna M. , D’hondt Sofie , Engelen Aschwin H. , Pavia Henrik , Toth Gunilla B. , Willems Anne , Weinberger Florian , De Clerck Olivier , Steinhagen Sophie
Published: April 2022

The green seaweed Ulva is a model system to study seaweed–bacteria interactions, but the impact of environmental drivers on the dynamics of these interactions is little understood. In this study, we investigated the stability and variability of the seaweed‐associated bacteria across the Atlantic–Baltic Sea salinity gradient. We characterized the bacterial communities of 15 Ulva sensu lato species along 2,000 km of coastline in a total of 481 samples. Our results demonstrate that the Ulva‐associated bacterial composition was strongly structured by both salinity and host species (together explaining between 34% and 91% of the variation in the abundance of the different bacterial genera). The largest shift in the bacterial consortia coincided with the horohalinicum (5–8 PSU, known as the transition zone from freshwater to marine conditions). Low‐salinity communities especially contained high relative abundances of Luteolibacter, Cyanobium, Pirellula, Lacihabitans and an uncultured Spirosomaceae, whereas high‐salinity communities were predominantly enriched in Litorimonas, Leucothrix, Sulfurovum, Algibacter and Dokdonia. We identified a small taxonomic core community (consisting of Paracoccus, Sulfitobacter and an uncultured Rhodobacteraceae), which together contributed to 14% of the reads per sample, on average. Additional core taxa followed a gradient model, as more core taxa were shared between neighbouring salinity ranges than between ranges at opposite ends of the Atlantic–Baltic Sea gradient. Our results contradict earlier statements that Ulva‐associated bacterial communities are taxonomically highly variable across individuals and largely stochastically defined. Characteristic bacterial communities associated with distinct salinity regions may therefore facilitate the host's adaptation across the environmental gradient.