bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of the carbon valence from its average formal oxidation state in the soil organic matter
Authors: Visconti Fernando , de Paz José M.
Published: April 2021

The wet dichromate methods for the quantification of soil organic carbon on the basis of the reductant ability of soil organic matter have been widely used and they are still nowadays. The results obtained with these methods depart from the reference dry combustion with CO2 measurement and the discrepancies are interpreted in terms of incomplete oxidation under the wet dichromate conditions. However, in the calculations accompanying the dichromate methods a carbon valence (VC) equal to four is systematically used, even though the actual VC could be different. To assess the importance that an actual VC different from four could have in the mismatch between the wet dichromate methods and the reference dry combustion, the relationship between VC and the average formal oxidation state of carbon (zC) in soil organic matter should be known. On the basis of the definition of the equivalent weight and the average formal oxidation state, it is shown that a simple linear expression of the form VC = 4 – zC relates both concepts in carbon‐hydrogen‐oxygen‐nitrogen‐phosphorus‐sulphur compounds, which are representative of soil organic matter. On the basis of this equation the actual VC in soil organic matter can be assessed, thus helping in the interpretation of soil organic carbon determinations with the wet dichromate methods and, therefore, in the comparison between the dichromate methods and the reference dry combustion.

Highlights

Although questioned, a carbon valence of four is always used in the wet dichromate methods for SOC.

How the valence of carbon depends on its average formal oxidation had not been previously shown.

Both concepts are related through a simple linear equation: VC = 4 – zC.

The mismatch between the dichromate oxidation and the dry combustion will be better interpreted.
Characterization of chronic active multiple sclerosis lesions with sodium (23Na) magnetic resonance imaging—preliminary observations
Authors: Eisele Philipp , Kraemer Matthias , Dabringhaus Andreas , Weber Claudia E. , Ebert Anne , Platten Michael , Schad Lothar R. , Gass Achim
Published: April 2021

Background and purpose

There has been an increasing interest in chronic active multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions as a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) marker of disease progression. Chronic active lesions are characterized by progressive tissue matrix damage, axonal loss and chronic inflammation. Sodium (23Na) MRI provides a biochemical marker of cell integrity and tissue viability in a quantitative manner. The aim of this study was to investigate with 23Na MRI tissue abnormalities in chronic active lesions as indicators of tissue destruction.

Methods

To identify chronic active lesions, two 3D magnetization‐prepared rapid acquisition gradient‐echo datasets obtained 12 months apart were processed using the voxel‐guided morphometry algorithm. Cross‐sectional 23Na MRI was performed during the 12‐month follow‐up period. Total sodium concentration was calculated in chronic active lesions compared to shrinking, chronic stable and acute contrast‐enhancing lesions.

Results

Overall, 70 MS lesions (21 chronic active, 10 shrinking, 29 chronic stable lesions, 10 acute contrast‐enhancing lesions) in 12 patients were included. Total sodium concentration in chronic active lesions (49.57 ± 8.47 mM) was significantly higher than in shrinking (42.16 ± 3.9 mM; p = 0.03) and chronic stable lesions (39.92 ± 4.82 mM; p < 0.001). Chronic active lesions showed similar sodium values compared to acute contrast‐enhancing lesions (48.06 ± 6.65 mM; p = 0.97). No differences between shrinking and chronic stable lesions were observed (p = 0.89).

Conclusion

High sodium values in chronic active MS lesions may be an indicator of ongoing inflammation and tissue damage.
Laparoscopic closure of the vaginal rings in the standing horse using a tacked intraperitoneal slitted mesh (TISM) technique
Authors: Wilderjans Hans , Meulyzer Michael
Published: April 2021

Background

Indirect inguinal herniation (IIH) is a potentially life‐threatening condition in stallions. The ideal preventive measure for breeding stallions ensures a minimally invasive closure of the vaginal ring that avoids recurrence of IIH while preserving both testicles.

Objectives

To describe a minimally invasive laparoscopic tacked intra‐peritoneal slitted mesh (TISM) technique in the standing horse to close the vaginal rings and to evaluate its efficacy in preventing recurrence of IIH in stallions.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Medical records of 17 stallions with a history of IIH were reviewed retrospectively. The surgical procedure was performed on the standing horse through a flank approach using four laparoscopic portals. The vaginal ring was covered with a commercial mesh. The mesh was partially cut to create a slitted mesh with two flaps: the dorsal flap was passed under the spermatic cord and ductus deferens and the ventral flap above. The mesh was secured in place with laparoscopic tacks. Long‐term follow‐up was obtained by a structured telephone interview of the owners.

Results

A total of 32 laparoscopic vaginal rings closures were successfully performed in 17 horses. No major intra‐ or postoperative complications occurred. None of the horse suffered from re‐occurrence. Nine of the 13 active breeding stallions were breeding again with similar semen quality as before treatment, 4/13 will resume their breeding activity during the next breeding season. None of the horses were castrated and none of the owners reported abnormal size or shape of the testicles. In three stallions, post‐operative pain and activity limitations were noted that gradually resolved after 6 months.

Main limitations

The lack of large numbers to compare the results of different mesh and tack combinations, the lack of follow‐up veterinary examinations and the limited number of laparoscopic rechecks.

Conclusion

The TISM technique is an effective minimally invasive technique to surgically reduce the size of the vaginal ring and thereby prevent recurrence of IIH.
A global assessment of fish estuary associations: A numerical approach to assessing estuary‐associated fish functional guilds
Authors: Harrison Trevor D. , Whitfield Alan K.
Published: April 2021

A novel fish estuary‐association scoring (FEAS) system that numerically expresses the relative position or level of estuarine‐association for each species has been developed. A dataset numerically describing the degree or level of estuarine‐association for some 6,000 fish species has been established based on an extensive review of the scientific literature on coastal and freshwater fishes. The FEAS reflects both globally recognized fish estuary‐association functional guilds as well as the continuum of fish estuarine use and dependence. The application of FEAS to numerically analyse and functionally compare estuarine fish communities using a range of statistical and analytical methods is demonstrated by examples from a variety of studies around the world; its use as a potential environmental monitoring and assessment tool is also presented.
Iranian Women’s Divorce Style: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Jaberi Somayeh , Etemadi Ozra , Fatehizade Maryam , Rabbani Khorasgani Ali
Published: April 2021

Divorce has received scant attention in Iran, despite the problems that arise for individuals and families and in social life. The present study aimed to find the divorce process of the Iranian couples among whom the woman was the divorce initiator. For this purpose, interviews were conducted, using the grounded theory method, with 34 Iranian divorcing men and women (women initiating a divorce and their spouses) to investigate their divorce experience. The results revealed that the psychological, communication, cultural, and social factors involved in the divorce phenomenon were observed in five stages: (1) emergence of thinking about divorce, (2) hesitation on stay, (3) difficult decision‐making, (4) separation, and (5) legal action. Despite more restrictive laws and more complicated social conditions for women initiating divorce than men, the number of women initiating the divorce is increasing in the changing cultural context of Iran. Therefore, we hope that our results on the divorce process help couples, families, and especially professionals plan preventive measures and develop clinical interventions targeting marriage and marital relationships.
Instructive roles of astrocytes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity: neuronal activity‐dependent regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Wang Ye , Fu Amy K. Y. , Ip Nancy Y.
Published: April 2021

In the adult hippocampus, synaptic plasticity is important for information processing, learning, and memory encoding. Astrocytes, the most common glial cells, play a pivotal role in the regulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. While astrocytes were initially described as a homogenous cell population, emerging evidence indicates that in the adult hippocampus, astrocytes are highly heterogeneous and can differentially respond to changes in neuronal activity in a subregion‐dependent manner to actively modulate synaptic plasticity. In this review, we summarize how local neuronal activity changes regulate the interactions between astrocytes and synapses, either by modulating the secretion of gliotransmitters and synaptogenic proteins or via contact‐mediated signaling pathways. In turn, these specific responses induced in astrocytes mediate the interactions between astrocytes and neurons, thus shaping synaptic communication in the adult hippocampus. Importantly, the activation of astrocytic signaling is required for memory performance including memory acquisition and recall. Meanwhile, the dysregulation of this signaling can cause hippocampal circuit dysfunction in pathological conditions, resulting in cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration. Indeed, reactive astrocytes, which have dysregulated signaling associated with memory, are induced in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and transgenic mouse model of AD. Emerging technologies that can precisely manipulate and monitor astrocytic signaling in vivo enable the examination of the specific actions of astrocytes in response to neuronal activity changes as well as how they modulate synaptic connections and circuit activity. Such findings will clarify the roles of astrocytes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory in health and disease.
A guide to time‐resolved structural analysis of light‐activated proteins
Authors: Poddar Harshwardhan , Heyes Derren J. , Schirò Giorgio , Weik Martin , Leys David , Scrutton Nigel S.
Published: April 2021

Dynamical changes in protein structures are essential for protein function and occur over femtoseconds to seconds timescales. X‐ray free electron lasers have facilitated investigations of structural dynamics in proteins with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. Light‐activated proteins are attractive targets for time‐resolved structural studies, as the reaction chemistry and associated protein structural changes can be triggered by short laser pulses. Proteins with different light‐absorbing centres have evolved to detect light and harness photon energy to bring about downstream chemical and biological output responses. Following light absorption, rapid chemical/small‐scale structural changes are typically localised around the chromophore. These localised changes are followed by larger structural changes propagated throughout the photoreceptor/photocatalyst that enables the desired chemical and/or biological output response. Time‐resolved serial femtosecond crystallography (SFX) and solution scattering techniques enable direct visualisation of early chemical change in light‐activated proteins on timescales previously inaccessible, whereas scattering gives access to slower timescales associated with more global structural change. Here, we review how advances in time‐resolved SFX and solution scattering techniques have uncovered mechanisms of photochemistry and its coupling to output responses. We also provide a prospective on how these time‐resolved structural approaches might impact on other photoreceptors/photoenzymes that have not yet been studied by these methods.
Host PDZ‐containing proteins targeted by SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Caillet‐Saguy Célia , Durbesson Fabien , Rezelj Veronica V. , Gogl Gergö , Tran Quang Dinh , Twizere Jean‐Claude , Vignuzzi Marco , Vincentelli Renaud , Wolff Nicolas
Published: April 2021

Small linear motifs targeting protein interacting domains called PSD‐95/Dlg/ZO‐1 (PDZ) have been identified at the C terminus of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) proteins E, 3a, and N. Using a high‐throughput approach of affinity‐profiling against the full human PDZome, we identified sixteen human PDZ binders of SARS‐CoV‐2 proteins E, 3A, and N showing significant interactions with dissociation constants values ranging from 3 to 82 μm. Six of them (TJP1, PTPN13, HTRA1, PARD3, MLLT4, LNX2) are also recognized by SARS‐CoV while three (NHERF1, MAST2, RADIL) are specific to SARS‐CoV‐2 E protein. Most of these SARS‐CoV‐2 protein partners are involved in cellular junctions/polarity and could be also linked to evasion mechanisms of the immune responses during viral infection. Among the binders of the SARS‐CoV‐2 proteins E, 3a, or N, seven significantly affect viral replication under knock down gene expression in infected cells. This PDZ profiling identifying human proteins potentially targeted by SARS‐CoV‐2 can help to understand the multifactorial severity of COVID19 and to conceive effective anti‐coronaviral agents for therapeutic purposes.
Self‐organization of apical membrane protein sorting in epithelial cells
Authors: Levic Daniel S. , Bagnat Michel
Published: April 2021

Polarized epithelial cells are characterized by the asymmetric distribution of proteins between apical and basolateral domains of the plasma membrane. This asymmetry is highly conserved and is fundamental to epithelial cell physiology, development, and homeostasis. How proteins are segregated for apical or basolateral delivery, a process known as sorting, has been the subject of considerable investigation for decades. Despite these efforts, the rules guiding apical sorting are poorly understood and remain controversial. Here, we consider mechanisms of apical membrane protein sorting and argue that they are largely driven by self‐organization and biophysical principles. The preponderance of data to date is consistent with the idea that apical sorting is not ruled by a dedicated protein‐based sorting machinery and relies instead on the concerted effects of oligomerization, phase separation of lipids and proteins in membranes, and pH‐dependent glycan interactions.
Pr‐favoured variants of the bacteriophytochrome from the plant pathogen Xanthomonas campestris hint on light regulation of virulence‐associated mechanisms
Authors: Conforte Valeria , Otero Lisandro Horacio , Toum Laila , Sirigu Serena , Antelo Giuliano Tomás , Rinaldi Jimena , Foscaldi Sabrina , Klinke Sebastián , Chavas Leonard Michel Gabriel , Vojnov Adrián Alberto , Goldbaum Fernando Alberto , Malamud Florencia , Bonomi Hernán Ruy
Published: April 2021

Red/far‐red light‐sensing bacteriophytochrome photoreceptor (BphP) pathways play key roles in bacterial physiology and ecology. These bilin‐binding proteins photoswitch between two states, Pr (red absorbing) and Pfr (far‐red absorbing). The isomerization of the chromophore and the downstream structural changes result in the light signal transduction. The agricultural pathogen Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) code for a single bathy‐like type BphP (XccBphP), previously shown to negatively regulate several light‐mediated biological processes involved in virulence. Here, we generated three different full‐length variants with single amino acid changes within its GAF domain that affect the XccBphP photocycle favouring its Pr state: L193Q, L193N and D199A. While D199A recombinant protein locks XccBphP in a Pr‐like state, L193Q and L193N exhibit a significant enrichment of the Pr form in thermal equilibrium. The X‐ray crystal structures of the three variants were solved, resembling the wild‐type protein in the Pr state. Finally, we studied the effects of altering the XccBphP photocycle on the exopolysaccharide xanthan production and stomatal aperture assays as readouts of its bacterial signalling pathway. Null‐mutant complementation assays show that the photoactive Pr‐favoured XccBphP variants L193Q and L193N tend to negatively regulate xanthan production in vivo. In addition, our results indicate that strains expressing these variants also promote stomatal apertures in challenged plant epidermal peels, compared to wild‐type Xcc. The findings presented in this work provide new evidence on the Pr state of XccBphP as a negative regulator of the virulence‐associated mechanisms by light in Xcc.
Can Antarctica's shallow zoobenthos ‘bounce back’ from iceberg scouring impacts driven by climate change?
Authors: Zwerschke Nadescha , Morley Simon A. , Peck Lloyd S. , Barnes David K. A.
Published: April 2021

All coastal systems experience disturbances and many across the planet are under unprecedented threat from an intensification of a variety of stressors. The West Antarctic Peninsula is a hotspot of physical climate change and has experienced a dramatic loss of sea‐ice and glaciers in recent years. Among other things, sea‐ice immobilizes icebergs, reducing collisions between icebergs and the seabed, thus decreasing ice‐scouring. Ice disturbance drives patchiness in successional stages across seabed assemblages in Antarctica's shallows, making this an ideal system to understand the ecosystem resilience to increasing disturbance with climate change. We monitored a shallow benthic ecosystem before, during and after a 3‐year pulse of catastrophic ice‐scouring events and show that such systems can return, or bounce back, to previous states within 10 years. Our long‐term data series show that recovery can happen more rapidly than expected, when disturbances abate, even in highly sensitive cold, polar environments.
Current and future carbon stocks in coastal wetlands within the Great Barrier Reef catchments
Authors: Duarte de Paula Costa Micheli , Lovelock Catherine E. , Waltham Nathan J. , Young Mary , Adame Maria F. , Bryant Catherine V. , Butler Don , Green David , Rasheed Michael A. , Salinas Cristian , Serrano Oscar , York Paul H. , Whitt Ashley A. , Macreadie Peter I.
Published: April 2021

Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments include some of the world's most intact coastal wetlands comprising diverse mangrove, seagrass and tidal marsh ecosystems. Although these ecosystems are highly efficient at storing carbon in marine sediments, their soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks and the potential changes resulting from climate impacts, including sea level rise are not well understood. For the first time, we estimated SOC stocks and their drivers within the range of coastal wetlands of GBR catchments using boosted regression trees (i.e. a machine learning approach and ensemble method for modelling the relationship between response and explanatory variables) and identified the potential changes in future stocks due to sea level rise. We found levels of SOC stocks of mangrove and seagrass meadows have different drivers, with climatic variables such as temperature, rainfall and solar radiation, showing significant contributions in accounting for variation in SOC stocks in mangroves. In contrast, soil type accounted for most of the variability in seagrass meadows. Total SOC stock in the GBR catchments, including mangroves, seagrass meadows and tidal marshes, is approximately 137 Tg C, which represents 9%–13% of Australia's total SOC stock while encompassing only 4%–6% of the total extent of Australian coastal wetlands. In a global context, this could represent 0.5%–1.4% of global SOC stock. Our study suggests that landward migration due to projected sea level rise has the potential to enhance carbon accumulation with total carbon gains between 0.16 and 0.46 Tg C and provides an opportunity for future restoration to enhance blue carbon.
Information exchange in governance networks—Who brokers across political divides?
Authors: Angst Mario , Brandenberger Laurence
Published: April 2021

The exchange of information among organizations is the lifeblood of governance networks. It is a necessary condition for successful governance. Political divides between organizations often impede information exchange. We ask which organizations are most likely to broker information across political divides. We consider survey (n = 312) evidence of technical information exchange in Swiss water governance. Bayesian exponential random graph modeling results show that scientific organizations play crucial roles for cross‐divide brokerage. To a lesser extent, this also holds for higher‐level governmental agencies. Participation in policy forums is associated with a higher likelihood of brokering across political divides. There is however no clear benefit to participating in more than two or three forums. We conclude that an active role played by scientific organizations is the most promising avenue to increase information flow across political divides. Beyond this, we suggest setting up carefully constructed exchange forums and selectively engaging moderate members of subgroups.
GATA2 participates in the recanalization of lymphatic vessels after surgical lymph node extirpation
Authors: Watanabe‐Asaka Tomomi , Hayashi Moyuru , Uemura Satoshi , Takai Jun , Suzuki Akane , Moriguchi Takashi , Kawai Yoshiko
Published: April 2021

Lymphatic recanalization failure after lymphadenectomy constitutes a major risk of lymphedema in cancer surgery. It has been reported that GATA2, a zinc finger transcription factor, is expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells and is involved in the development of fetal lymphatic vessels. GATA3, another member of the GATA family of transcription factors, is required for the differentiation of lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells and is essential for lymph node formation. However, how GATA2 and GATA3 function in recanalization after the surgical extirpation of lymphatic vessels has not been elucidated. Employing a new model of lymphatic recanalization, we examined the lymphatic reconnection process in Gata2 heterozygous deficient (Gata2+/−) and Gata3 heterozygous deficient (Gata3+/−) mice. We found that lymphatic recanalization was significantly impaired in Gata2+/− mice, while Gata3+/− mice rarely showed such abnormalities. Notably, the perturbed lymphatic recanalization in the Gata2+/− mice was partially restored by crossing with the Gata3+/− mice. Our results demonstrate for the first time that GATA2 participates in the regeneration of damaged lymphatic vessels and the unexpected suppressive activity of GATA3 against lymphatic recanalization processes.
Study of health information needs among adolescents in Croatia shows distinct gender differences in information seeking behaviour
Authors: Martinović Ivana , Kim Sung Un , Stanarević Katavić Snježana
Published: April 2021

Background

Understanding the health information needs of adolescents is the first step towards providing them with relevant information to aid them in their decision making regarding health issues.

Objective

The goal of this study is to assess adolescents’ needs, perceptions and sources of health information.

Methods

Four hundred sixty‐nine high school students in Osijek, Croatia, participated in this study by answering a questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using basic frequency and non‐parametric statistical methods.

Results

The most popular health topics identified by adolescents in our study were nutrition, diseases, depression, relationships, sexual intercourse and alcohol. Adolescents consider their parents the most reliable personal source of health information (72.0%), while they perceive the Internet as the main non‐personal source of health information (29.8%). Adolescents wish to get more education about health issues at school (54.4%). Significant gender differences were found in adolescents’ needs, perceptions and sources of health information.

Conclusions

It is important to provide adolescents with systematic institutional health education and improve health advisory services and library/information services to assist adolescents in locating health information and resolving their health related questions.
Baked eggs: catastrophic heatwave‐induced reproductive failure in the desert‐adapted Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata)
Authors: McCowan Luke S. C. , Griffith Simon C.
Published: April 2021

Animals living in arid or semi‐arid environments are frequently exposed to the challenge of dealing with extreme high ambient temperatures that are predicted to become more severe with a changing climate as heatwaves increase in frequency and severity. In addition to the adverse effects of heatwaves on adults, high temperatures are likely to have detrimental effects on breeding success. During incubation, parents need to regulate the temperature of their clutch within the optimal range for development and below levels that can lead to adverse effects on development or lethal outcomes. We report on the effects of a heatwave on a bout of summer breeding in a monitored population of wild Zebra Finches. One extended heatwave resulted in the complete mortality of 23 of 25 (95%) clutches laid before or during this event, with embryo mortality confirmed with the application of a heart rate monitor (98 of 100 eggs). We found that no embryo survived a cumulative exposure of 20 h or more at 40.5 °C during the incubation period. However, some embryos survived higher temperatures for shorter periods. Our findings demonstrate the catastrophic effects of heatwaves on avian reproduction, even in a species that is well adapted to a hot and unpredictable environment.
Understanding preadolescents as consumers: An exploratory study on their food purchase behaviour
Authors: Mandal Madhu , Tripathi Manas
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study is to understand preadolescents as consumers and to conceptualize the process involved in their food purchase behaviour. Extant literature suggests that behaviour intention is generated as a combined effect of an individual's attitude towards consumption of the product and the subjective norms that one is exposed to. The present paper advocates that this combined effect does not necessarily lead to purchase intention amongst preadolescents and further investigates how they develop purchase intention and behaviour. A conceptual framework has been developed using the insights obtained from a thorough review of the literature and qualitative thematic analysis of 36 in‐depth interviews conducted with preadolescents (9–14 years old) in the context of their food consumption behaviour. The paper proposes an attitude–motivation–behaviour framework which postulates that a favourable socialized attitude, a strong drive and a high perceived effort collectively create high motivation to purchase, leading to purchase behaviour intention, which in turn leads to purchase behaviour amongst preadolescents. The study provides a sequential process through which preadolescents make purchase decisions; hence the proposed conceptual framework, after a quantitative validation, may serve as a guideline for marketers in targeting preadolescent segments.
The lived experiences of people with inflammatory bowel diseases: A phenomenological hermeneutic study
Authors: Demirtas Ayla
Published: April 2021

Aim

The aim of this research was to provide an in‐depth study about the life experiences of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Methods

The phenomenological (hermeneutic) method was used to analyse data. The data were collected between March 25 and July 1, 2019. A homogeneous group of 25 patients were included as participants by purposeful sampling methods. Interviews were conducted in the hospital patient‐education room.

Results

The results of this study emphasize the importance of understanding the fears, worries, difficulties and life experiences of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Three main themes were identified: a flare phase of the disease, a remission period and coping behaviours. Study findings included the experiences of social isolation; inability to perform daily activities of living and to work; stress in the flare phase of the disease; concerns about the future in the remission phase and physical and spiritual strategies used for coping.

Conclusion

Coping with the physical symptoms and emotional difficulties of inflammatory bowel diseases can prevent patients from living a normal life. The results of this article highlight the importance of understanding the fear, anxiety, difficulties and life experiences of these patients.
Prediction of genomic breeding values of milk traits in Brazilian Saanen goats
Authors: de Sousa Diego Rodrigues , do Nascimento André Vieira , Lôbo Raimundo Nonato Braga
Published: April 2021

The study’s objective was to compare the genomic prediction ability methods for the traits milk yield, milk composition and somatic cell count of Saanen Brazilian goats. Nine hundred forty goats, genotyped with an Axiom_OviCap (Caprine) panel, Affimetrix customized array with 62,557 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), were used for the genomic selection analyses. The genomic methods studied to estimate the effects of SNPs and direct genomic values (DGV) were as follows: (a) genomic BLUP (GBLUP), (b) Bayes Cπ and (c) Bayesian Lasso (BLASSO). Estimated breeding values (EBV) and deregressed estimated breeding values (dEBV) were used as response variables for the genomic predictions. The prediction ability was assessed by Pearson's correlation between DGV and response variables (EBV and dEBV). Regression coefficients of the response variables on the DGV were obtained to verify if the genomic predictions were biased. In addition, the mean square error of prediction (MSE) was used as a measure of verification of model fit to the data. The means of prediction accuracy, when EBV was used as a response variable, were 0.68, 0.68 and 0.67 for GBLUP, Bayes Cπ and BLASSO, respectively. With dEBV, the mean prediction accuracy was 0.50 for all models. The averages of the EBV regression coefficients on DGV were 1.08 for all models (GBLUP, Bayes Cπ and BLASSO), higher than those obtained for the regression coefficient of dEBV on DGV, which presented values of 1.05, 1.05 and 1.08 for GBLUP, Bayes Cπ and BLASSO, respectively. None of the methods stood out in terms of prediction ability; however, the GBLUP method was the most appropriate for estimating the DGV, in a slightly more reliable and less biased way, besides presenting the lowest computational cost. In the context of the present study, EBV was the preferred response variables considering the genomic prediction accuracy despite dEBV also presented lower bias.
Uninterrupted versus interrupted direct oral anticoagulation for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Asad Zain Ul Abideen , Akhtar Khawaja H. , Jafry Ali H. , Khan Muhammad Haris , Khan Muhammad Shahzeb , Munir Muhammad Bilal , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya R. , Gopinathannair Rakesh
Published: April 2021

Introduction

To evaluate the safety of uninterrupted versus interrupted direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) for patients undergoing catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

We conducted a systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and observational studies comparing uninterrupted versus interrupted DOAC for patients undergoing CA of AF. Primary outcome was major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included minor bleeding, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or thromboembolism (TE), silent cerebral ischemic events, and cardiac tamponade. Meta‐analysis was stratified by study design. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random effects model and Mantel–Haenszel method was used to pool RR.

Results

A total of 13 studies (7 randomized, 6 observational) comprising 3595 patients were included. The RCT restricted analysis did not show any difference in terms of major bleeding (risk ratio [RR] = 0.79; [0.35–1.79]), minor bleeding (RR = 0.99 [0.68–1.43]), stroke or TIA or TE (RR = 0.80 [0.19–3.32]), silent cerebral ischemic events (RR = 0.64 [0.32–1.28]), and cardiac tamponade (RR = 0.61 [0.20–1.92]). Observational study restricted analysis showed a protective effect of uninterrupted DOAC on silent cerebral ischemic events (RR = 0.45 [0.31–0.67]) and no difference in other outcomes.

Conclusions

There is no difference in bleeding and thromboembolic outcomes with uninterrupted versus interrupted DOAC for CA of AF and observational data suggests that uninterrupted DOACs are protective against silent cerebral ischemic lesions.
The other striated muscle: The role of sarcopenia in older persons with heart failure
Authors: Reeves Gordon R. , Pandey Ambarish , Kitzman Dalane W.
Published: April 2021

This editorial comments on the article by Dasarathy et al. in this issue.
Short‐term impact of nursing home SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccinations on new infections, hospitalizations, and deaths
Authors: Mor Vincent , Gutman Roee , Yang Xiaofei , White Elizabeth M. , McConeghy Kevin W. , Feifer Richard A. , Blackman Carolyn R. , Kosar Cyrus M. , Bardenheier Barbara H. , Gravenstein Stefan A.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To compare rates of incident SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and 30‐day hospitalization or death among residents with confirmed infection in nursing homes with earlier versus later SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine clinics.

Design

Matched pairs analysis of nursing homes that had their initial vaccine clinics between December 18, 2020, and January 2, 2021, versus between January 3, 2021, and January 18, 2021. Matched facilities had their initial vaccine clinics between 12 and 16 days apart.

Setting and Participants

Two hundred and eighty nursing homes in 21 states owned and operated by the largest long‐term care provider in the United States.

Measurements

Incident SARS‐CoV‐2 infections per 100 at‐risk residents per week; hospital transfers and/or deaths per 100 residents with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection per day, averaged over a week.

Results

The early vaccinated group included 136 facilities with 12,157 residents; the late vaccinated group included 144 facilities with 13,221 residents. After 1 week, early vaccinated facilities had a predicted 2.5 fewer incident SARS‐CoV‐2 infections per 100 at‐risk residents per week (95% CI: 1.2–4.0) compared with what would have been expected based on the experience of the late vaccinated facilities. The rates remained significantly lower for several weeks. Cumulatively over 5 weeks, the predicted reduction in new infections was 5.2 cases per 100 at‐risk residents (95% CI: 3.2–7.3). By 5 to 8 weeks post‐vaccine clinic, early vaccinated facilities had a predicted 1.1 to 3.8 fewer hospitalizations and/or deaths per 100 infected residents per day, averaged by week than expected based on late vaccinated facilities' experience for a cumulative on average difference of 5 events per 100 infected residents per day.

Conclusions

The SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines seem to have accelerated the rate of decline of incident infections, morbidity, and mortality in this large multi‐state nursing home population.
Association of hospitalization with driving reduction and cessation in older adults
Authors: Gaulton Timothy G. , Neuman Mark D. , Brown Rebecca T. , Betz Marian E.
Published: April 2021

Background

Driving has not been considered as part of the social cost of acute illness and may go unnoticed in the post‐hospital care of older adults. Decreases in driving after hospitalization and at‐risk populations have not been investigated.

Objective

To determine the association between driving reduction and cessation and hospitalization in older adults by using nationally representative data.

Design

Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting

Health and Retirement Study survey from 2004 to 2014.

Participants

Adults aged 65 years and older who were able to drive and had an available car (n = 12,110; 40,364 interviews).

Measurements

Self‐report of a hospitalization requiring an overnight stay, changes in driving patterns including driving cessation or limitations over a 2‐year period, comorbid conditions, health utilization, and behaviors.

Results

Of hospitalizations in adults aged 65 years and older, 22% were associated with a decrease in driving patterns within 2 years. The relative risk of a reduction or cessation in driving was 1.62 (95% CI: 1.54, 1.70, p < 0.001) when there was a hospitalization compared with when a hospitalization did not occur. Baseline functional, cognitive, and visual impairment, fair or poor self‐rated health, and diabetes were identified as independent risk factors for decreased driving patterns after hospitalization.

Conclusions

Changes in driving patterns are common after a hospitalization in older adults. The findings suggest that driving, although not a current goal of post‐hospital care, is important to the continued autonomy and community mobility of older adults and needs to be addressed as part of discharge planning and their recovery.
Prosthetically‐Driven Full‐Mouth Implant‐Supported Prostheses Using Guided Surgical Implant Planning with Composite Resin Markers: A Case Report
Authors: Cabanes‐Gumbau Guillermo , Agustín‐Panadero Rubén , Revilla‐León Marta , Zubizarreta‐Macho Álvaro
Published: April 2021

This report describes a prosthetically‐driven implant planning method, guided by the alignment procedures between the cone beam computed tomography, intraoral digital scans, and digitized maxillary and mandibular interim complete dentures using intraoral composite resin markers as a common reference. The markers were attached to the keratinized oral mucosa of the edentulous ridges using cyanoacrylate and kept in place during the digitizing procedures. The technique provides a simpler and more economical alternative to conventional prosthetically‐driven static implant planning methods.
Rare diseases research and policy in Australia: On the journey to equitable care
Authors: Bhattacharya Kaustuv , Millis Nicole , Jaffe Adam , Zurynski Yvonne
Published: April 2021

Almost exactly 10 years after the publication of ‘Call for a national plan for rare diseases’ in this journal, the Federal Government launched the National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases (the Action Plan) on the 26th of February 2020, in the lead up to Rare Disease Day on the 29th of February – a rare day for rare diseases. The Action Plan is the culmination of effective advocacy by Rare Voices Australia (RVA) and other stakeholders in the rare disease (RD) sector. RVA is the peak body for Australians living with a RD. The organisation works collaboratively with RD organisations, researchers and clinicians. Since the initial call for a RD plan, a number of health‐care initiatives and policy changes have gathered apace including expanded antenatal and newborn screening, the increasing application of next generation sequencing and advances in gene and cell therapeutics. The development of new models of care, diagnostic and treatment pathways, and communities of practice have started to ease the considerable burden and inequitable access to care experienced by RD patients and their families. However, much work remains to be done. The Action Plan outlines the actions to bring about the best possible health and well‐being outcomes for Australians living with RD. It is centred around three pillars – awareness and education, care and support, research and data – and will be delivered against the principles of person centredness, equity, and sustainable systems and workforce.
Nutritive value of sorghum silage for sheep
Authors: Sabertanha Ehsan , Rouzbehan Yousef , Fazaeli Hassan , Rezaei Javad
Published: April 2021

This study compared ensiled sorghum (ES) from two varieties (first and second cuts) with corn silage (CS) for chemical analysis, total‐tract nutrient digestibility, ruminal variables and blood biochemistry metabolites in sheep. Five experimental silages representing first cut ES var. Pegah (PS1), second cut ES var. Pegah (PS2), first cut ES var. Speedfeed (SS1), second cut ES var. Speedfeed (SS2) and CS were assessed for chemical analysis, silage fermentation and anti‐quality compounds. Diets consisted of lucerne hay, silage and a premix (at the ratio of 53.5:46:0.5 on a dry matter [DM] basis). Feed consumption, total‐tract nutrient digestibility, microbial nitrogen supply (MNS), ruminal variables and blood biochemistry metabolites were determined in a Latin square design of five periods with five male sheep. Compared to sorghum, CS had lower (p < 0.01) concentrations of ash, water‐soluble carbohydrates and crude protein, but higher starch, lignin (sa), non‐structural carbohydrates and apparent nutrient digestibility. The measurements of pH, lactic acid, NH3‐N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) confirmed that all silages were well‐preserved. The anti‐quality compound levels in the silages were below the safe limits for ruminants. No differences were observed in feed consumption (p > 0.05) and total‐tract digestibility of DM and nutrients (p > 0.05). Rumen pH, NH3‐N, VFA concentrations and acetate to propionate ratio showed no difference among treatments (p > 0.05). Sheep fed on sorghum silage showed a decrease (p < 0.01) in total protozoa, and particularly in the Entodiniae population. There were no differences in cellulolytic bacteria counts (p > 0.05) among treatments. Urinary N, MNS and blood biochemistry metabolites showed no difference among treatments (p > 0.05). Silages from both cuts of sorghum had comparable total‐tract nutrient digestibility to CS, therefore, these varieties could be used as a more drought resilient silage source in the feeding of sheep.
Legislative Capacity in Germany's Parliaments
Authors: Appeldorn Niels H. , Fortunato David
Published: April 2021

We present new data on the legislative capacity (or professionalism) of Germany's national and subnational parliaments including legislator salary, informational expenditures, and counts of committee and plenary sessions. We describe these data and aggregate them into a summary measure modeled after the Squire Index as well as a measure derived from factor analytic decomposition. The internal validity of these measures is assessed in a case study of recent parliamentary reforms in Baden‐Württemberg and the external validity is assessed via comparison to electoral turnover. We conclude with suggestions for future research and hope that our colleagues will both make use of these data to study the causes and consequences of legislative capacity in Germany and also be motivated to collect and disseminate similar data for new contexts.
Dietary patterns and chronic kidney disease outcomes: A systematic review
Authors: Quintela Bárbara Cibelle Soares Farias , Carioca Antônio Augusto Ferreira , de Oliveira Juliana Gomes Ramalho , Fraser Simon D. S. , da Silva Junior Geraldo Bezerra
Published: April 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious public health problem and its prevalence is growing in many countries, often related to issues resulting from the lifestyle in growing economies and the population's life expectancy. Nutritional therapy is a beneficial but still neglected strategy for preventing CKD and delaying disease progression. The aim of this study was to assess the association of dietary patterns with CKD development and progression. Observational studies conducted in adult humans and the correlation between the adopted dietary pattern and prevalent and incident cases of CKD were assessed. A significant association was observed between unhealthy dietary patterns and an increased risk of developing or worsening CKD, as well as an adverse effect. Whereas healthy eating patterns characterized by the consumption of fruit, vegetables and dietary fibre showed nephroprotective outcomes.
Three learning modalities' impact on clinical judgment and perceptions in newly graduated registered nurses: A quasi‐experimental study
Authors: Luo Yiqing , Geng Cong , Chen Xiaoli , Zhang Yingying , Zou Zhijie , Bai Jinbing
Published: April 2021

Newly graduated registered nurses face numerous challenges stemming from high patient workload, complicated interpersonal relationships, and a lack of nursing competence, which can lead to transitional shocks. Clinical judgment and confidence are well‐known keys to successful role transitions for these nurses. Simulation training is proposed as a new modality for enhancing comprehensive clinical competence of nurses, but current evidence on the impact of different simulations on nurses' clinical judgment and confidence are still limited or inconsistent. This study compared the impact of three types of learning modalities on newly graduated registered nurses' clinical judgment, perceptions of self‐confidence, and evaluations of the design features of the learning modalities. A quasi‐experimental design was used. Fifty‐nine participants were randomly assigned to three groups: (1) high‐fidelity simulation, (2) virtual simulation, and (3) case study. Scales were used after the simulation. The virtual simulation group showed a higher level of clinical judgment. The high‐fidelity simulation group felt more confident than the virtual simulation and case study groups. Both the high‐fidelity simulation group and virtual simulation group reported higher scores in the domain of fidelity.
NETWORKED2‐subfamily proteins regulate the cortical actin cytoskeleton of growing pollen tubes and polarised pollen tube growth
Authors: Duckney Patrick , Kroon Johan T. , Dixon Martin R. , Hawkins Timothy J. , Deeks Michael J. , Hussey Patrick J.
Published: April 2021

We have recently characterised NET2A as a pollen‐specific actin‐binding protein that binds F‐actin at the plasma membrane of growing pollen tubes. However, the role of NET2 proteins in pollen development and fertilisation have yet to be elucidated.

To further characterise the role of Arabidopsis NET2 proteins in pollen development and fertilisation, we analysed the subcellular localisation of NET2A over the course of pollen grain development and investigated the role of the NET2 family using net2 loss‐of‐function mutants.

We observed NET2A to localise to the F‐actin cytoskeleton in developing pollen grains as it underwent striking structural reorganisations at specific stages of development and during germination and pollen tube growth. Furthermore, net2 loss‐of‐function mutants exhibited striking morphological defects in the early stages of pollen tube growth, arising from frequent changes to pollen tube growth trajectory. We observed defects in the cortical actin cytoskeleton and actin‐driven subcellular processes in net2 mutant pollen tubes.

We demonstrate that NET2 proteins are essential for normal actin‐driven pollen development highlighting an important role for the NET2 family members in regulating pollen tube growth during fertilisation.