bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of stocking density on growth performance and gonadal maturity of all‐female giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Rahman Md. Moshiur , Salin Krishna R. , Tsusaka Takuji W. , Anal Anil Kumar , Rahi Md. Lifat , Yakupitiyage Amararatne
Published: April 2022

All‐female stocks of giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, hold immense potential for aquaculture but early sexual maturity might still be a constraint in all‐female prawn farming. The growth performance and gonadal maturation of all‐female M. rosenbergii reared in 1,000 L tanks for 60‐days were tested at five stocking densities of 4 (T1), 8 (T2), 16 (T3), 24 (T4), and 32 (T5) prawns/m2 in triplicates. The mean initial weights (±SD) of prawns were 5.20 ± 0.42 g (T1), 5.10 ± 0.48 g (T2), 5.18 ± 0.54 g (T3), 4.87 ± 0.92 g (T4), and 5.05 ± 1.09 g (T5), respectively. The survival rate (83.3%), mean final weight (24.93 g), daily weight gain (0.33 g), and specific growth rate (2.61) were the highest in T1, while the most efficient feed conversion ratio (1.57) was in T2. The prawn yields were higher at higher stocking densities (T3 to T5). The stocking density of 8 prawns/m2 is feasible for good growth performance, while the estimated density for optimum yield was 23.5 prawns/m2, indicating that all‐female prawns are amenable to intensive farming. The presence of virgin females ranged from 30% in T1 to 14% in T5, but the distribution of ovarian stages was not significantly different among the stocking densities tested. The gonadosomatic index values showed no significant difference among the treatments. The results indicated that while the stocking density significantly affected growth parameters, it had no significant effect on the all‐female prawns' gonadal maturation.
Impact of NAFLD on the outcome of patients with chronic hepatitis B in Asia
Authors: Yang Ming , Wei Lai
Published: April 2022

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are two major causes of chronic liver disease (CLD) that can cause liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is a trend to superimpose NAFLD on chronic HBV infection in Asia. This review presents the epidemiology of concurrent NAFLD in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and focuses on the impact of concurrent NAFLD on the outcome of CHB patients in Asia. Although CHB patients tend to have a lower prevalence and incidence of NAFLD than the general population, concurrent NAFLD among CHB patients is still common and has an upward trend over time. Concurrent NAFLD can promote hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance and might inhibit HBV replication but exacerbate liver fibrosis. The impacts of concurrent NAFLD on HCC risk, all‐cause mortality and antiviral treatment response in CHB patients remain controversial.
Fine‐scale genome‐wide signature of Pleistocene glaciation in Thitarodes moths (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), host of Ophiocordyceps fungus in the Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Wang Zhengyang , Pierce Naomi E.
Published: April 2022

The Hengduan Mountains region is a biodiversity hotspot known for its topologically complex, deep valleys and high mountains. While landscape and glacial refugia have been evoked to explain patterns of interspecies divergence, the accumulation of intra‐species (i.e., population level) genetic divergence across the mountain‐valley landscape in this region has received less attention. We used genome‐wide restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) to reveal signatures of Pleistocene glaciation in populations of Thitarodes shambalaensis (Lepidoptera: Hepialidae), the host moth of parasitic Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) or "caterpillar fungus” endemic to the glacier of eastern Mt. Gongga. We used moraine history along the glacier valleys to model the distribution and environmental barriers to gene flow across populations of T. shambalaensis. We found that moth populations separated by less than 10 km exhibited valley‐based population genetic clustering and isolation‐by‐distance (IBD), while gene flow among populations was best explained by models using information about their distributions at the local last glacial maximum (LGML, 58 kya), not their contemporary distribution. Maximum likelihood lineage history among populations, and among subpopulations as little as 500 m apart, recapitulated glaciation history across the landscape. We also found signals of isolated population expansion following the retreat of LGML glaciers. These results reveal the fine‐scale, long‐term historical influence of landscape and glaciation on the genetic structuring of populations of an endangered and economically important insect species. Similar mechanisms, given enough time and continued isolation, could explain the contribution of glacier refugia to the generation of species diversity among the Hengduan Mountains.
What happens after drought ends: synthesizing terms and definitions
Authors: Vilonen Leena , Ross Maggie , Smith Melinda D.
Published: April 2022

Drought is intensifying globally with climate change, creating an urgency to understand ecosystem response to drought both during and after these events end to limit loss of ecosystem functioning. The literature is replete with studies of how ecosystems respond during drought, yet there are far fewer studies focused on ecosystem dynamics after drought ends. Furthermore, while the terms used to describe drought can be variable and inconsistent, so can those that describe ecosystem responses following drought. With this review, we sought to evaluate and create clear definitions of the terms that ecologists use to describe post‐drought responses. We found that legacy effects, resilience and recovery were used most commonly with respect to post‐drought ecosystem responses, but the definitions used to describe these terms were variable. Based on our review of the literature, we propose a framework for generalizing ecosystem responses after drought ends, which we refer to as ‘the post‐drought period’. We suggest that future papers need to clearly describe characteristics of the imposed drought, and we encourage authors to use the term post‐drought period as a general term that encompasses responses after drought ends and use other terms as more specific descriptors of responses during the post‐drought period.
The transcriptional regulator RbcR controls ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) genes in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Bolay Paul , Schlüter Susan , Grimm Samuel , Riediger Matthias , Hess Wolfgang R. , Klähn Stephan
Published: April 2022

Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved in cyanobacteria, primary producers of striking ecological importance. Like plants, cyanobacteria use the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle for CO2 fixation, fuelled by ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO). In a competitive reaction this enzyme also fixes O2 which makes it rather ineffective. To mitigate this problem, cyanobacteria evolved a CO2 concentrating mechanism (CCM) to pool CO2 in the vicinity of RuBisCO. However, the regulation of these carbon (C) assimilatory systems is understood only partially.

Using the model Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 we characterized an essential LysR‐type transcriptional regulator encoded by gene sll0998. Transcript profiling of a knockdown mutant revealed diminished expression of several genes involved in C acquisition, including rbcLXS, sbtA and ccmKL encoding RuBisCO and parts of the CCM, respectively.

We demonstrate that the Sll0998 protein binds the rbcL promoter and acts as a RuBisCO regulator (RbcR). We propose ATTA(G/A)‐N5‐(C/T)TAAT as the binding motif consensus. Our data validate RbcR as a regulator of inorganic C assimilation and define the regulon controlled by it.

Biological CO2 fixation can sustain efforts to reduce its atmospheric concentrations and is fundamental for the light‐driven production of chemicals directly from CO2. Information about the involved regulatory and physiological processes is crucial to engineer cyanobacterial cell factories.
The incidence of lumbar spine surgery following Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression and Superion Indirect Decompression System for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis: a retrospective review
Authors: Hagedorn Jonathan M. , Yadav Abhishek , D’Souza Ryan S. , DeTemple Nathan , Wolff Jason S. , Parmele James B. , Deer Timothy R.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Lumbar spinal stenosis affects more than 200,000 adults in the United States, resulting in approximately 38,000 operations among the Medicare population and greater than $1.5 billion in hospital bills alone. Fortunately, Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression (MILD) and the Superion Indirect Decompression System have shown lasting benefit and cost savings compared to more aggressive surgical options.

Objective

Our primary objective was to retrospectively determine the rate of lumbar decompression surgery following the MILD and Superion procedures.

Materials and Methods

This was a pooled retrospective review of LSS patients who received MILD and/or Superion procedures between January 2011 and July 2019. Adult patients with CPT codes for MILD and Superion procedures were identified. Patients were included if they had a follow‐up visit at least 2 years from the procedure date, preprocedural MRI results, and surgical notes.

Results

A total of 199 patients were included in the final analysis, of which 57 patients (28.6%) underwent MILD procedure only, 124 patients (62.3%) underwent Superion only, and 18 patients (9.0%) underwent an MILD procedure initially followed by a Superion procedure. Two patients had an MILD procedure performed twice at the same level at separate encounters. A total of four patients in the entire cohort (2.0%; MILD 5.3%, Superion 0.8%) underwent subsequent lumbar spine surgery when followed for at least 2 years. It is notable that some of these patients may not have been surgical candidates and this may have skewed the results.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing minimally invasive decompression treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis have low rates of subsequent open surgery which potentially results in cost savings and a reduction in severe adverse events. The reason for low surgical rate may reflect improvement in their symptoms, a preference to avoid surgery, or being deemed not a surgical candidate.
In vitro Effect of 810 nm and 940 nm Diode Laser Irradiation on Proliferation of Human Gingival Fibroblasts and Expression of Procollagen Gene
Authors: Pourshahidi Sara , Ebrahimi Hooman , Bahrami Naghmeh , Abbasi Javan Zahra , Ghoreyshi Younes , Chiniforush Nasim , Kharazifard Mohammad Javad
Published: April 2022

Factors promoting fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis can subsequently enhance wound healing. This study aimed to assess the effect of 810 and 940 nm diode laser on fibroblast proliferation and procollagen gene expression. In this study, human gingival fibroblasts were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium and underwent 810 and 940 nm diode laser irradiation once, twice, thrice and four times at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after culture. The methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was performed to assess the proliferation while the real‐time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess the expression of procollagen gene at the mRNA level. We applied two‐way ANOVA and Tukey’s test for analysis. Wavelength had no significant effect on the proliferation of gingival fibroblasts, but increasing the number of irradiation sessions of both wavelengths increased the proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts. Significant differences were noted in the number of human gingival fibroblasts between groups irradiated 1 and 4 and also 2 and 4 times. Procollagen gene was well expressed in all groups but its expression was significantly higher in 940 nm laser group after four irradiation cycles. Four times radiation of 940 nm laser seems to be more effective than all others.
Ectopic expression of BrIQD35 promotes drought stress tolerance in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Yuan J. , Yu Z. , Li Y. , Shah S. H. A. , Xiao D. , Hou X. , Li Y.
Published: April 2022

The plant IQD gene family is responsive to a variety of stresses. In this study, we studied the structural features and functions of the gene BrIQD35 in Chinese cabbage, a member of the IQD gene family.

BrIQD35 was cloned and shown to contain an IQ motif. Transient expression of BrIQD35 indicated that it was localized on the plasma membrane and was significantly upregulated under drought and salt stress in Chinese cabbage. To further identify the function of BrIQD35, it was heterologously overexpressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Although there was no significant difference between BrIQD35‐overexpressed and wild‐type (WT) plants under salt stress, WT N. benthamiana showed more wilting than the BrIQD35‐overexpressed plants under drought stress.

Since the IQ motif has been annotated as a CaM binding site, yeast two‐hybrid assays were used to explore the interaction between BrIQD35 and CaM. The results indicated that BrIQD35 interacts weakly with CaMb, but not with CaMa, suggesting that BrIQD35 may function through the Ca2+‐CaMb pathway.

The findings reveal a novel gene involved in drought tolerance, which is important for plant breeding and quality improvement for Chinese cabbage.
Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor expression in the canine endometrium with cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex
Authors: Socha Barbara M. , Socha Piotr , Szóstek‐Mioduchowska Anna Z. , Nowak Tomasz , Skarżyński Dariusz J.
Published: April 2022

The most common uterine diseases in bitches occurring during diestrus are cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) and pyometra. These diseases can coexist as CEH–pyometra complex (CEH‐P). Their pathogenesis has not been fully explained. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are important factors regulating mammalian reproductive function and inflammatory processes. Although there is a lack of data concerning the expression of PPARs in the canine endometrium during CEH and CEH‐P, we hypothesized that they might be involved in the development of pathological disorders of the canine endometrium. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate and compare PPARα, PPARδ and PPARγ mRNA expression using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) and their immunolocalization using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining in the endometrium of clinically healthy bitches (control group; n = 8) and those with CEH (n = 8) or CEH‐P (n = 8). For quantification, the arithmetic means of all intensities of immunostaining from the cells were measured with the optical density. PPARα, PPARδ and PPARγ were detected in the luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium and stromal cells. The mRNA transcription of PPARα was higher in the CEH group than in the control group (p < .05). Additionally, the mRNA expression and immunostaining intensities of PPARδ and PPARγ in the endometrium in the CEH‐P group were downregulated relative to those in the control group (p < .05). Moreover, the serum progesterone concentration measured by direct radioimmunoassay was decreased in the CEH‐P group compared to the control group (p < .001) and CEH group (p < .05). The obtained results indicate that PPARs are present in the canine endometrium and that their mRNA profile and intensity levels change under pathological conditions such as CEH and CEH‐P. This finding may suggest a correlation between changes in the PPAR expression profile and hormonal disturbances, as well as the potential involvement of PPARs in signal transduction during inflammatory processes occurring in the endometrium during CEH‐P. These results pave the way to further research into the role of PPARs in the pathogenesis of CEH and CEH‐P in female dogs.
Increasing diagnostic yield at medical thoracoscopy
Authors: Aujayeb Avinash
Published: April 2022

See related Reply
Financial inclusion and education: An empirical study of financial inclusion in the face of the pandemic emergency due to Covid‐19 in Latin America and the Caribbean
Authors: Kazemikhasragh Amirreza , Buoni Pineda Marianna Vanessa
Published: April 2022

Financial inclusion and education contribute to a country's development and economic growth. However, despite the significant efforts being made to increase access to financial products for women, a high percentage still do not have access to and effective use of formal financial services in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This study analyzes financial inclusion (based on gender equality) in the countries studied using a pooled‐panel ordinary least squares econometric technique. Furthermore, the impact of interactions between the level of study, use of technology, academic degree during the Covid‐19 restrictions, number of credit borrowers, and number of borrowers with the interaction of the restrictions during the health emergency was evaluated employing the Gini coefficient and human development index (HDI). This study confirms that Latin America and the Caribbean countries can increase financial inclusion by changing their social aspects based on gender equality to ease using technology and access to credit. The results of this study are helpful for policy‐makers in formulating and implementing policies that lead to action plans that reverse an exclusionary financial system, promote financial education, and empower women.
Special report from the field: The women of the Islamic State in Iraq
Authors: Schulman Susan
Published: April 2022

There are a great many unaddressed grievances that persist in Iraq to this day – grievances whose roots reach back to the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in 2003 and which ultimately led to the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in 2014. Even though the Islamic State was ousted in 2017, these grievances have not gone away. In this special report from the field, American photo‐journalist Susan Schulman presents the distressing testimony and images of the families that once supported the Islamic State in Iraq and who are now shunned by Iraqi society as a result.
Multigene phylogeny of blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae) reveals extensive polyphyly of the tribe Lyttini and allows redefining its boundaries
Authors: Riccieri Alessandra , Mancini Emiliano , Pitzalis Monica , Salvi Daniele , Bologna Marco A.
Published: April 2022

Meloidae is a beetle family with about 3000 species divided into three subfamilies and 16 tribes. Included is the tribe Lyttini containing 33 genera and about 400 species. However, the boundaries of Lyttini have proved hard to define since the systematics of this tribe have repeatedly changed. In this study, we investigated the phylogeny of Lyttini and tested for its monophyly based on a comprehensive molecular dataset of mitochondrial (COI and 16S) and nuclear (CAD and 28S) genes including 57 genera and 385 species representing most of the tribes of Meloidae. Further phylogenetic analyses were performed on a reduced taxon set (51 genera and 135 species covering 60% of the generic diversity of Lyttini) in order to maximize the number of loci and minimize missing data. Phylogenetic results strongly supported the monophyly of most of the tribes of the subfamily Meloinae, apart from Lyttini, which is split into 11 phylogenetically distinct lineages scattered throughout the tree. Based on these results, we restrict the tribe Lyttini to the genera Alosimus Mulsant, Lydus Dejan, Lytta Fabricius, Muzimes Mulsant & Rey and Oenas Latreille, all exclusive to the Holarctic region. The relationships among the remaining genera previously included in Lyttini and the other 10 lineages representing ‘non‐Lyttini’ tribes remain to be clarified. This study also provides a number of nomenclatural acts [including Pseudolytta n. stat.; Lytta (Taurilytta) n. subgen.; Lytta (Teratolytta) n.stat.; Mimovesperus resurrected; Denierella = Epicauta n.syn.; Psalydolytta = Epicauta n. syn.] and working hypotheses for future investigations on the systematics of Meloidae.
Politeness as a Nonverbal Communication Behavior: An Investigation into Driving Habits in Asia
Authors: AlAfnan Mohammad Awad
Published: April 2022

Politeness is mainly investigated in verbal and written communicative encounters. This study novelistically examines politeness and politic behavior as a nonverbal communicative event concerning driving habits in Asia. Politeness is investigated based on four variables that are the country of origin, gender, age, and level of education. The novel framework is based on Brown and Levinson’s (1987) politeness theory. This study revealed that Asian drivers use deference, hedges, and indirectness to minimize imposition while driving. The study showed that Hong Konger, Singaporean and Malaysian drivers are the most polite in Asia. This study also revealed that Hong Konger female drivers and Malaysian male drivers are the most polite in Asia concerning giving signals before changing lanes. It also revealed that Malaysian female drivers and Singaporean male drivers are the most polite in Asia concerning following traffic signs and speed limits. The study also found that Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai, Indian, Filippo, and Singaporean male drivers are more polite than their female counterparts with respect to following signs, while Hong Konger, Singaporean, and Taiwanese female drivers are more polite than their male counterparts pertaining to giving signals before changing lanes. It is also apparent that Malaysian, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Sri Lankan, Nepali, Pakistani, and Filipino male drivers are more polite than their female counterparts pertaining to giving signals before changing lanes. This study also established that old drivers are more polite than young drivers and old female drivers are more polite than old male drivers. In reference to the level of education, the study revealed a positive correlation between politic driving behavior and high level of education. Interestingly, highly educated male drivers are more polite than highly educated female drivers in Asia.
A New Method for Quantifying Abdominal Aortic Wall Shear Stress Using Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Womersley Solution
Authors: Iffrig Elizabeth , Timmins Lucas H. , El Sayed Retta , Taylor W. Robert , Oshinski John N.
Published: April 2022

Wall shear stress (WSS) is an important mediator of cardiovascular pathologies and there is a need for its reliable evaluation as a potential prognostic indicator. The purpose of this work was to develop a method that quantifies WSS from two-dimensional (2D) phase contrast magnetic resonance (PCMR) imaging derived flow waveforms, apply this method to PCMR data acquired in the abdominal aorta of healthy volunteers, and to compare PCMR-derived WSS values to values predicted from a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The method uses PCMR-derived flow versus time waveforms constrained by the Womersley solution for pulsatile flow in a cylindrical tube. The method was evaluated for sensitivity to input parameters, intrastudy repeatability and was compared with results from a patient-specific CFD simulation. 2D-PCMR data were acquired in the aortas of healthy men (n = 12) and women (n = 15) and time-averaged WSS (TAWSS) was compared. Agreement was observed when comparing TAWSS between CFD and the PCMR flow-based method with a correlation coefficient of 0.88 (CFD: 15.0 ± 1.9 versus MRI: 13.5 ± 2.4 dyn/cm2) though comparison of WSS values between the PCMR-based method and CFD predictions indicate that the PCMR method underestimated instantaneous WSS by 3.7 ± 7.6 dyn/cm2. We found no significant difference in TAWSS magnitude between the sexes; 8.19 ± 2.25 versus 8.07 ± 1.71 dyn/cm2, p = 0.16 for men and women, respectively.
Assessing potential perception of shipping noise by marine mammals in
an arctic inlet
Authors: Sweeney Samuel O. , Terhune John M. , Frouin-Mouy Héloïse , Rouget Philippe A.
Published: April 2022

Shipping is increasing in Arctic regions, exposing marine mammals to increased underwater noise. Noise analyses often use unweighted broadband sound pressure levels (SPL) to assess noise impacts, but this does not account for the animals' hearing abilities at different frequencies. In 2018 and 2019, noise levels were recorded at five and three sites, respectively, along a shipping route in an inlet of Northern Baffin Island, Canada. Broadband SPLs (10 Hz–25 kHz), unweighted and with auditory weighing functions from three marine mammal groups, were compared between times ore carriers (travelling < 9 knots) were present or absent. Clearly audible distances of shipping noise and exposure durations were estimated for each weighting function relative to vessel direction, orientation, and year. Auditory weighting functions had significant effects on the potential perception of shipping noise. Bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) experienced similar SPLs to unweighted levels. Narwhals (Monodon monoceros) and ringed seals (Pusa hispida) experienced lower SPLs. Narwhals were unlikely to clearly perceive shipping noise unless ships were in close proximity (<3 km) and ambient noise levels were low. Detectability propagation models of presumed noise exposure from shipping must be based on the hearing sensitivities of each species group when assessing noise impacts on marine mammals.
Physical Activity and Fitness Markers of Male Campers Participating in a Fitness-Based Sport Education Season
Authors: Wahl-Alexander Zachary , Camic Clay
Published: April 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine health-related fitness levels and physical activity trends of adolescents participating in a fitness-based sport education season in a camp setting. Method: This study was conducted in a residential summer camp. Participants were 71 male campers. Participants were categorized into two groups (i.e., Healthy or Needs Improvement-Needs Improvement Health Risk [NI/NI-Health Risk]). Physical activity and health-related fitness measures were assessed. Data were analyzed with separate 2 × 2 mixed-factorial analyses of variance and follow-up t tests when appropriate. Results: Findings indicated significant decreases in body mass index for both groups with greater decreases for the NI/NI-Heath Risk group. Both groups increased for push-ups, sit-ups, and Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run Test scores with greater improvements in the NI/NI-Health Risk group. Discussion/Conclusion: Youth amassed elevated levels of physical activity during each lesson and achieved significant improvements to muscle strength, cardiovascular endurance, and body mass index. The NI/NI-Health Risk group revealed significant improvements compared to their healthy counterparts.
Verbalized Studying and Elaborative Interrogation in the Virtual Classroom: Students with Social Anxiety Prefer Working Alone, but Working with a Peer Does Not Hurt Their Learning
Authors: Novak Rachel Tomco , Bailey Elizabeth G. , Blinsky Bethany D. , Soffe Burke W. , Patterson David , Ockey Jordon , Jensen Jamie L.
Published: April 2022

Due to public health measures enacted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, educators and students alike have been suddenly thrust into the realm of online learning. To better understand how active and collaborative learning methods can apply to students studying in isolation, we compared the effects of two teach-and-question assignments: one that utilizes the active learning method of reciprocal peer tutoring and a solo version that requires individual verbalized studying and elaborative interrogation.
Educating Online Students in Laboratory Safety
Authors: Townsend Heather , Goffe Eylana
Published: April 2022

Understanding laboratory biosafety is essential for any student in biology courses. With the switch to remote instruction, it became imperative to continue to relay the importance of laboratory biosafety even for online, asynchronous science courses.
We Can’t Fail Again: Arguments for Professional Development in the Wake of COVID-19
Authors: Walsh Lisa L. , Bills Robert J. , Lo Stanley M. , Walter Emily M. , Weintraub Benjamin E. , Withers Michelle D.
Published: April 2022

The majority of academic institutions were underprepared for a global pandemic, leading to spikes in instructor anxiety and drops in student engagement with STEM courses. With many STEM professors teaching online for the first time, they independently sought out training in distance education and inclusive teaching practices.
Establishment of an Engaged and Active Learning Community in the Biology Classroom and Lab with Discord
Authors: Wiles Amy M. , Simmons Sean L.
Published: April 2022

Discord is an instant messaging platform that facilitates voice and video calls and media exchanges. Although Discord was initially developed for video gaming, it is currently used by other communities where voice chatting is frequent.
TisB Protein Protects Escherichia coli Cells Suffering Massive DNA Damage from Environmental Toxic Compounds
Authors: Su Wei-Lin , Bredèche Marie-Florence , Dion Sara , Dauverd Julie , Condamine Bénédicte , Gutierrez Arnaud , Denamur Erick , Matic Ivan
Published: April 2022

The contribution of toxin-antitoxin systems to the persistence of bacteria to antibiotics has been intensively studied. This is also the case with the
E. coli
TisB/IstR toxin-antitoxin system, but the contribution of TisB to the persistence to antibiotics turned out to be not as straightforward as anticipated.
An Outer Membrane Protein YiaD Contributes to Adaptive Resistance of Meropenem in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Han Lei , Gao Yiyuan , Liu Yuqing , Yao Siyu , Zhong Shuyan , Zhang Sirui , Wang Jingdan , Mi Peng , Wen Yurong , Ouyang Zhenlin , Zhang Jing , Al-Shamiri Mona Mohamed , Li Pu , Han Shaoshan
Published: April 2022

Acinetobacter baumannii
can develop various resistance mechanisms to carbapenems. However, the factors involved in the evolutionary process that leads from transition to the sensitive to resistant phenotype are not clear.
NorA, HmpX, and NorB Cooperate to Reduce NO Toxicity during Denitrification and Plant Pathogenesis in
Ralstonia solanacearum
Authors: Truchon Alicia N. , Hendrich Connor G. , Bigott Adam F. , Dalsing Beth L. , Allen Caitilyn
Published: April 2022

The soilborne plant pathogen
Ralstonia solanacearum
(
Rs
) causes bacterial wilt, a serious and widespread threat to global food security.
Rs
is metabolically adapted to low-oxygen conditions, using denitrifying respiration to survive in the host and cause disease. However, bacterial denitrification and host defenses generate nitric oxide (NO), which is toxic and also alters signaling pathways in both the pathogen and its plant hosts.
Rs
mitigates NO with a trio of mechanistically distinct proteins: NO-reductase (NorB), predicted iron-binding (NorA), and oxidoreductase (HmpX).
A Novel Zinc Exporter CtpG Enhances Resistance to Zinc Toxicity and Survival in Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Chen Liu , Li Xiaohui , Xu Piao , He Zheng-Guo
Published: April 2022

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacillus
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and is one of the major sources of mortality.
M. tuberculosis
has developed unique mechanisms to adapt to host environments, including zinc deficiency and toxicity, during infection. However, the molecular mechanism by which mycobacteria promote detoxification of zinc, and the associated signaling pathways remains largely unclear.
Identification and Functional Analysis of a Novel Hydrophobic Protein VdHP1 from Verticillium dahliae
Authors: Zhang Xiaojian , Zhao Lihong , Liu Shichao , Zhou Jinglong , Wu Yajie , Feng Zili , Zhang Yalin , Zhu Heqin , Wei Feng , Feng Hongjie
Published: April 2022

Verticillium dahliae
is a soilborne fungal pathogen that causes a destructive vascular disease on a large number of plant hosts, resulting in great threat to agricultural production. In this study, it was illustrated that the hydrophobin VdHP1 could induce cell death and activate plant immune responses.
Host Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Potentiate Aminoglycoside Killing of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Beavers William N. , Munneke Matthew J. , Stackhouse Alex R. , Freiberg Jeffrey A. , Skaar Eric P.
Published: April 2022

Staphylococcus aureus
infects every niche of the human host, and these infections are the leading cause of Gram-positive sepsis. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are inexpensive, stable, and effective against many bacterial infections.
Marchiafava-Bignami disease presenting as reversible coma
Authors: Zhang Yixin , Culpepper Kaleb , Mathew Reshmi , CruzSaavedra Luis
Published: April 2022

Marchiafava-Bignami disease (MBD) is a rare demyelinating condition of the corpus callosum and subcortical white matter that is most commonly seen in alcoholic patients. The course of the disease varies with symptoms that range from dementia to complete coma; severe intermittent sympathetic storming with abnormal posturing is often reported in literature. It is presumably secondary to a deficiency of B complex vitamins, specifically thiamine and many patients have clinical improvement after repletion of B vitamins. We present a case of a 35-year-old man who developed MBD secondary to polysubstance misuse without history of alcohol use. His clinical course was complicated by persistent comatose state with autonomic dysfunction. After the administration of high-dose thiamine and vitamin C and E, the patient regained consciousness and was able to follow commands within 48 hours. Furthermore, this case showed recognising brain MRI findings for MBD is a crucial step in disease identification.
Effects of exercise on fitness in adults with intellectual disability: a protocol of an overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Simón-Siles Sandra , Font-Farré Manel , Guerra-Balic Myriam , Nishishinya-Aquino Maria Betina , Oviedo Guillermo R
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Adults with intellectual disability (ID) have lower physical fitness levels than their peers without disabilities, representing a risk to their health since physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness are directly related to better health and quality of life. Therefore, it is essential to determine the effects that exercise can have on them, as adults with ID present high comorbidities and lower life expectancy, altogether with lower rates of physical activity. The current overview of systematic reviews aims to provide an outline of the exercise benefits in health-related and skill-related fitness in adults with ID.

Methods and analysis

Research will be conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, PEDro, SPORTDiscus and CINAHL. The search terms will be categorised through population (eg, adult, ID); intervention (eg, exercise, physical activity) and outcomes (eg, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, balance, power, speed, agility, coordination, mobility and reaction time). Each database will be searched from their earliest available record up to 30 September 2021.

Inclusion criteria will be: systematic reviews including at least one RCT that compare exercise interventions with a control group or another type of intervention; measure of fitness using objectives methods; inclusion of adults with ID (≥18 years old), and published in any language, with at least their abstract in English, Spanish, French and/or Portuguese.

Ethics and dissemination

To our knowledge, our overview will be the first of its kind to address the topic in people with ID. The results could be used to determine which fitness components can be improved by exercise and to provide a valuable tool to develop comprehensive exercise programmes specific to people with ID. Ethical approval is not required. The knowledge generated will be disseminated electronically and in print and presented at conferences.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021237580.
Diagnostic and prognostic factors in patients with prostate cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Beyer Katharina , Moris Lisa , Lardas Michael , Haire Anna , Barletta Francesco , Scuderi Simone , Molnar Megan , Herrera Ronald , Rauf Abdul , Campi Riccardo , Greco Isabella , Shiranov Kirill , Dabestani Saeed , van den Broeck Thomas , Arun Sujenthiran , Gacci Mauro , Gandaglia Giorgio , Omar Muhammad Imran , MacLennan Steven , Roobol Monique J , Farahmand Bahman , Vradi Eleni , Devecseri Zsuzsanna , Asiimwe Alex , Zong Jihong , Maclennan Sara J , Collette Laurence , NDow James , Briganti Alberto , Bjartell Anders , Van Hemelrijck Mieke
Published: April 2022

Objectives

As part of the PIONEER Consortium objectives, we have explored which diagnostic and prognostic factors (DPFs) are available in relation to our previously defined clinician and patient-reported outcomes for prostate cancer (PCa).

Design

We performed a systematic review to identify validated and non-validated studies.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched on 21 January 2020.

Eligibility criteria

Only quantitative studies were included. Single studies with fewer than 50 participants, published before 2014 and looking at outcomes which are not prioritised in the PIONEER core outcome set were excluded.

Data extraction and synthesis

After initial screening, we extracted data following the Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of prognostic factor studies (CHARMS-PF) criteria and discussed the identified factors with a multidisciplinary expert group. The quality of the included papers was scored for applicability and risk of bias using validated tools such as PROBAST, Quality in Prognostic Studies and Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2.

Results

The search identified 6604 studies, from which 489 DPFs were included. Sixty-four of those were internally or externally validated. However, only three studies on diagnostic and seven studies on prognostic factors had a low risk of bias and a low risk concerning applicability.

Conclusion

Most of the DPFs identified require additional evaluation and validation in properly designed studies before they can be recommended for use in clinical practice. The PIONEER online search tool for DPFs for PCa will enable researchers to understand the quality of the current research and help them design future studies.

Ethics and dissemination

There are no ethical implications.
Assessment of level of care recommendations and nursing acuity scores following an appropriateness of care intervention
Authors: Ruiz Colon Gabriela D , Sullivan K Michaela , Albaniel Moses , Britt Patricia , Shieh Lisa
Published: April 2022

Background

As part of a multiprong intervention to eliminate waste in cost of hospital accommodations, the InterQual Level of Care (LOC) criteria was deployed by our institution to assign patients to one of three LOCs: acute care, intermediate intensive care unit (IICU) or intensive care unit (ICU). In that intervention, which sought to decrease the number of patients in a higher LOC than what was clinically necessary, patient safety balancing metrics were stable. However, nursing workload, a key balancing metric, has yet to be examined. In this study, we examine nursing workload before and after the intervention using a proprietary nursing acuity score.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted analysing admissions at the study institution. Patient’s LOC recommendation (as determined by InterQual), assigned (actual) LOC and nursing acuity scores were collected and analysed. Average nursing acuity scores were compared across patients whose InterQual recommendation aligned with actual LOC (‘Acute Match’ or ‘IICU Match’) versus patients who were recommended to be in acute care but were receiving IICU care (‘Mismatch’).

Results

Following the intervention, the per cent of patients in the Mismatch cohort decreased from 13% to 7%. Prior to the intervention, average nursing acuity score for the Mismatch cohort was less than the IICU Match cohort and greater than Acute Match cohort in all departments analysed. After the intervention period, average acuity score in the Mismatch cohort exceeded that of the Acute Match cohort in all eight departments, but the Mismatch cohort’s scores differed from the IICU Match cohort in only one department.

Conclusion

Collectively, this study demonstrates that our intervention successfully decreased inappropriate use of the IICU LOC, and that the residual Mismatch cohort is a distinct entity, with nursing needs that exceed that of the Acute Match cohort. Thus, a higher LOC can be justified. This demonstrates that a nursing workload metric such as the nursing acuity score can be a valuable complement to clinical criteria such as the InterQual LOC criteria to objectively determine patient’s true, necessary LOC and ensure that nursing staff feels adequately staffed to care for patients.
Development of a sensitive trial-ready poly(GP) CSF biomarker assay forC9orf72-associated frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Wilson Katherine M , Katona Eszter , Glaria Idoia , Carcolé Mireia , Swift Imogen J , Sogorb-Esteve Aitana , Heller Carolin , Bouzigues Arabella , Heslegrave Amanda J , Keshavan Ashvini , Knowles Kathryn , Patil Saurabh , Mohapatra Susovan , Liu Yuanjing , Goyal Jaya , Sanchez-Valle Raquel , Laforce Robert Jr , Synofzik Matthis , Rowe James B , Finger Elizabeth , Vandenberghe Rik , Butler Christopher R , Gerhard Alexander , Van Swieten John C , Seelaar Harro , Borroni Barbara , Galimberti Daniela , de Mendonça Alexandre , Masellis Mario , Tartaglia M Carmela , Otto Markus , Graff Caroline , Ducharme Simon , Schott Jonathan M , Malaspina Andrea , Zetterberg Henrik , Boyanapalli Ramakrishna , Rohrer Jonathan D , Isaacs Adrian M
Published: April 2022

Objective

A GGGGCC repeat expansion in theC9orf72gene is the most common cause of genetic frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As potential therapies targeting the repeat expansion are now entering clinical trials, sensitive biomarker assays of target engagement are urgently required. Our objective was to develop such an assay.

Methods

We used the single molecule array (Simoa) platform to develop an immunoassay for measuring poly(GP) dipeptide repeat proteins (DPRs) generated by theC9orf72repeat expansion in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of people withC9orf72-associated FTD/ALS.

Results and conclusions

We show the assay to be highly sensitive and robust, passing extensive qualification criteria including low intraplate and interplate variability, a high precision and accuracy in measuring both calibrators and samples, dilutional parallelism, tolerance to sample and standard freeze–thaw and no haemoglobin interference. We used this assay to measure poly(GP) in CSF samples collected through the Genetic FTD Initiative (N=40C9orf72and 15 controls). We found it had 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity and a large window for detecting target engagement, as theC9orf72CSF sample with the lowest poly(GP) signal had eightfold higher signal than controls and on average values fromC9orf72samples were 38-fold higher than controls, which all fell below the lower limit of quantification of the assay. These data indicate that a Simoa-based poly(GP) DPR assay is suitable for use in clinical trials to determine target engagement of therapeutics aimed at reducingC9orf72repeat-containing transcripts.
Probing the interactions between pour point depressants (PPDs), viscosity index improvers (VIIs), and wax in octane using fluorescently labeled PPDs
Authors: Gholami Kiarash , Frasca Franklin , Duhamel Jean
Published: April 2022

A poly(octadecyl methacrylate) sample fluorescently labeled with 6.7 mol% of pyrene (Py(6.7)-PC18MA) was used as a mimic of a pour point depressant (PPD) to investigate how Py(6.7)-PC18MA interacts with wax found in engine oils and ethylene-propylene (EP) copolymers used as mimics of viscosity index improvers (VIIs). The fluorescence spectra of Py(6.7)-PC18MA solutions in octane were acquired in octane at low and high concentrations of Py(6.7)-PC18MA and analysed to obtain the molar fraction ( finter) of pyrene labels, which formed excimer intermolecularly, a measure of the level of intermolecular interactions between Py(6.7)-PC18MA molecules in the solution. The finter-versus- T profile obtained for Py(6.7)-PC18MA alone in octane confirmed that Py(6.7)-PC18MA formed microcrystals at solution temperatures below 0 °C. The effect induced by the addition of wax and an amorphous (EP(AM)) and semicrystalline (EP(SM)) EP copolymer on the interactions experienced by Py(6.7)-PC18MA were characterized by monitoring finter as a function of temperature and comparing the different finter-versus- T plots obtained after the addition of the different components with the finter-versus- T plot obtained for Py(6.7)-PC18MA alone. These studies demonstrated that wax and EP(AM) increased the level of intermolecular interactions between the Py(6.7)-PC18MA molecules at all temperatures in octane. EP(SM) increased the interactions between Py(6.7)-PC18MA molecules at high temperature, where it was soluble in octane, but finter reverted to its value in the absence of EP(SM) at low temperatures, where EP(SM) had crystallized. These experiments illustrate how pyrene excimer fluorescence can be applied to probe the complex interactions taking place between the different components found in engine oils.
Gravitational collapse involving electric charge in the decoupling limit of the dilatonic Gauss–Bonnet gravity
Authors: Nakonieczna Anna , Nakonieczny Łukasz
Published: April 2022

The paper discusses gravitational collapse of an electrically charged scalar field in the decoupling limit of the dilatonic Gauss–Bonnet gravity. The emerging spacetimes contained Schwarzschild black holes for sufficiently big scalar fields self-interaction strengths. Dependencies of the collapse characteristics on the dilatonic and Gauss–Bonnet parameters turned out to be similar in the case of black hole masses and radii as well as their time of formation in terms of retarded time. In the cases of masses and radii minima were observed, while in the remaining case a maximum existed. The electric charge of the emerging black holes possessed a maximum when measured versus the dilatonic coupling constant and was strictly decreasing with the Gauss–Bonnet coupling. The times of formation and charges of black holes decreased, while masses and radii increased with the self-interaction strengths of the dynamical fields. Values of the energy density, radial pressure, pressure anisotropy and the collapsing scalar fields were the biggest along the hypersurface of propagation of the scalar fields initial peaks. For big values of the Gauss–Bonnet coupling constant, an increase in their values was also observed in the vicinity of the central singularity within the whole range of advanced time. Non-zero values of the dilaton field outside the black hole event horizon may indicate a formation of a hairy black hole. The local temperature calculated along the apparent horizon was increasing for late times of the evolution and exhibited extrema in areas, where the dynamics of the gravity–matter system was observed.