bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AlphaFold Models Illuminate Half of Dark Human Proteins
Authors: Binder Jessica L. , Berendzen Joel , Stevens Amy O. , He Yi , Wang Jian , Dokholyan Nikolay V. , Oprea Tudor I.
Published: November 2021

We investigate the use of confidence scores to predict the accuracy of a given AlphaFold model for drug discovery. Predicted accuracy is improved by eliminating confidence scores below 80, due to effects of disorder. 95% of models corresponding to a set of recent crystal structures are accurate at the fold level. Conformational discordance in the training set has a more significant effect on accuracy than sequence divergence. We propose criteria for models and residues that are possibly useful for virtual screening, by which AlphaFold provides models for half of understudied (dark) human proteins and two-thirds of residues in those models.
WITHDRAWN: Whi5 and Stb1 define redundant pathways through which the G1 cyclin Cln3 promotes cell division
Authors: Honey Sangeet , Futcher Bruce
Published: November 2021

Withdrawal Statement

The authors have withdrawn their manuscript owing to a defect in the WHI5* STB1* strain used in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, and Table 2. In this strain, for reasons still unknown to us, the GAL-CLN3 gene is expressed moderately well even in the absence of galactose, and is only slightly induced upon the addition of galactose. Since CLN3 is not being substantially induced in the experiments of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 in this WHI5* STB1* strain, no conclusion can be drawn as to whether there is or is not signaling from CLN3 to Start in a WHI5* STB1* mutant. Results in the manuscript not involving this strain appear to be correct. If you have any questions, please contact the corresponding author.
Phylogeny of theFormicoxenusgenus-group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) reveals isolated lineages ofLeptothorax acervorumin the Iberian Peninsula predating the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Ojeda Dario I. , John Max , Hammond Robert L. , Savolainen Riitta , Vepsäläinen Kari , Kvamme Torstein
Published: November 2021

TheFormicoxenusgenus-group comprises six genera within the tribe Crematogastrini. The group is well known for repeated evolution of social parasitism among closely related taxa and cold-adapted species with large distribution ranges in the Nearctic and Palearctic regions. Previous analyses based on nuclear markers (ultraconserved elements, UCEs) and mitochondrial genes suggest close relationship betweenFormicoxenusMayr, 1855,LeptothoraxMayr, 1855 andHarpagoxenusForel, 1893. However, scant sampling has limited phylogenetic assessment of these genera. Also, previous phylogeographic analyses ofL. acervorum(Fabricius, 1793) have been limited to its West-Palearctic range of distribution, which has provided a narrow view on recolonization, population structure and existing refugia of the species. Here, we inferred the phylogenenetic history of genera within theFormicoxenusgenus-group and reconstructed the phylogeography ofL. acervorumwith more extensive sampling. We employed four datasets consisting of whole genomes and sequences of the COI. The topologies of previous nuclear and our inferences based on mitochondrial genomes were overall congruent. Further,Formicoxenusmay not be monophyletic. We found several monophyletic lineages that do not correspond to the current species described withinLeptothorax, especially in the Nearctic region. We identified a monophyleticL. acervorumlineage that comprises both Nearctic and Palearctic locations. The most recent expansion withinL. acervorumprobably occurred within the last 0.5 Ma with isolated populations predating the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), which are localized in at least two refugial areas (Pyrenean and Northern plateau) in the Iberian Peninsula. The patterns recovered suggest a shared glacial refugium in the Iberian Peninsula with cold-adapted trees that currently share high-altitude environments in this region.
Syotti: Scalable Bait Design for DNA Enrichment
Authors: Alanko Jarno , Slizovskiy Ilya , Lokshtanov Daniel , Gagie Travis , Noyes Noelle , Boucher Christina
Published: November 2021

Bait-enriched sequencing is a relatively new sequencing protocol that is becoming increasingly ubiquitous as it has been shown to successfully amplify regions of interest in metagenomic samples. In this method, a set of synthetic probes (“baits”) are designed, manufactured, and applied to fragmented metagenomic DNA. The probes bind to the fragmented DNA and any unbound DNA is rinsed away, leaving the bound fragments to be amplified for sequencing. This effectively enriches the DNA for which the probes were designed. Most recently, Metsky et al. (Nature Biotech 2019) demonstrated that bait-enrichment is capable of detecting a large number of human viral pathogens within metagenomic samples. In this work, we formalize the problem of designing baits by defining the Minimum Bait Cover problem, which aims to find the smallest possible set of bait sequences that cover every position of a set of reference sequences under an approximate matching model. We show that the problem is NP-hard, and that it remains NP-hard under very restrictive assumptions. This indicates that no polynomial-time exact algorithm exists for the problem, and that the problem is intractable even for small and deceptively simple inputs. In light of this, we design an efficient heuristic that takes advantage of succinct data structures. We refer to our method as syotti. The running time of syotti shows linear scaling in practice, running at least an order of magnitude faster than state-of-the-art methods, including the recent method of Metsky et al. At the same time, our method produces bait sets that are smaller than the ones produced by the competing methods, while also leaving fewer positions uncovered. Lastly, we show that syotti requires only 25 minutes to design baits for a dataset comprised of 3 billion nucleotides from 1000 related bacterial substrains, whereas the method of Metsky et al. shows clearly super-linear running time and fails to process even a subset of 8% of the data in 24 hours. Our implementation is publicly available at https://github.com/jnalanko/syotti.
A novel whole yeast-based subunit oral vaccine against Eimeria tenella in chickens
Authors: Soutter Francesca , Werling Dirk , Nolan Matthew , Küster Tatiana , Attree Elizabeth , Marugán-Hernández Virginia , Kim Sungwon , Tomley Fiona M. , Blake Damer P.
Published: November 2021

Cheap, easy-to-produce oral vaccines are needed for control of coccidiosis in chickens to reduce the impact of this disease on welfare and economic performance. Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast expressing three Eimeria tenella antigens were developed and delivered as heat-killed, freeze-dried whole yeast oral vaccines to chickens in four separate studies. After vaccination, E. tenella replication was reduced following low dose challenge (250 oocysts) in Hy-Line Brown layer chickens (p<0.01). Similarly, caecal lesion score was reduced in Hy-Line Brown layer chickens vaccinated using a mixture of S. cerevisiae expressing EtAMA1, EtIMP1 and EtMIC3 following pathogenic-level challenge (4,000 E. tenella oocysts; p<0.01). Mean body weight gain post-challenge with 15,000 E. tenella oocysts was significantly increased in vaccinated Cobb500 broiler chickens compared to mock-vaccinated controls (p<0.01). Thus, inactivated recombinant yeast vaccines offer cost-effective and scalable opportunities for control of coccidiosis, with relevance to broiler production and chickens reared in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Prediction of network public opinion based on bald eagle algorithm optimized radial basis function neural network
Authors: Xie Jialiang , Zhang Shanli , Lin Ling
Published: November 2021

Purpose

In the new era of highly developed Internet information, the prediction of the development trend of network public opinion has a very important reference significance for monitoring and control of public opinion by relevant government departments.

Design/methodology/approach

Aiming at the complex and nonlinear characteristics of the network public opinion, considering the accuracy and stability of the applicable model, a network public opinion prediction model based on the bald eagle algorithm optimized radial basis function neural network (BES-RBF) is proposed. Empirical research is conducted with Baidu indexes such as “COVID-19”, “Winter Olympic Games”, “The 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Party” and “Aerospace” as samples of network public opinion.

Findings

The experimental results show that the model proposed in this paper can better describe the development trend of different network public opinion information, has good stability in predictive performance and can provide a good decision-making reference for government public opinion control departments.

Originality/value

A method for optimizing the central value, weight, width and other parameters of the radial basis function neural network with the bald eagle algorithm is given, and it is applied to network public opinion trend prediction. The example verifies that the prediction algorithm has higher accuracy and better stability.
Numerical and experimental study on the static performance of externally pressurized thrust bearings lubricated with refrigerant gases
Authors: Rong Chengjun , Lian Huaqi , Li Yulong
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Oil-free heat pumps that use the system refrigerant gases as lubricants are preferred for thermal management in future space applications. This study aims to numerically and experimentally investigate the static performance of externally pressurized thrust bearings lubricated with refrigerant gases.

Design/methodology/approach

The refrigerant gases R22, R410A and CO2 were chosen as the research objects, while N2 was used for comparison. Computational fluid dynamics was used to solve the full 3 D Navier–Stokes equations to determine the load capacity, static stiffness and static pressure distribution in the bearing film. The numerical results were experimentally verified.

Findings

The results showed that the refrigerant-gas-lubricated thrust bearings had a lower load capacity than the N2-lubricated bearings, but they presented a higher static stiffness when the bearing clearance was less than 9 µm. Compared with the N2-lubricated bearings, the optimal static stiffness of the R22- and CO2-lubricated bearings increased by more than 46% and more than 21%, respectively. The numerical and experimental results indicate that a small bearing clearance would be preferable when designing externally pressurized gas thrust bearings lubricated with the working medium of heat pump systems for space applications.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can serve as a basis for the further investigation of refrigerant gases as lubricants in heat pump systems, as well as for the future design of such gas bearings in heat pump systems for space applications.
The importance of the electrical properties of hydraulic fluids
Authors: Lovrec Darko , Tič Vito
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Apart from the basic material properties of liquid lubricants, such as, e.g., the viscosity and density of the hydraulic fluid, it is also important to have information regarding the electrical properties of the fluid used. The latter is closely related to the purpose, type, structure, and conditions of use of a hydraulic system, especially the powertrain design and fluid condition monitoring. The insulating capacity of the hydraulic fluid is important in cases where the electric motor of the pump is immersed in the fluid. In other cases, on the basis of changing the electrical conductive properties of the hydraulic fluid, we can refer its condition, and, on this basis, the degree of degradation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first highlights the importance of knowing the electrical properties of hydraulic fluids and then aims to compare these properties, such as the breakdown voltage of commonly used hydraulic mineral oils and newer ionic fluids suitable for use as hydraulic fluids.

Findings

Knowledge of this property is crucial for the design approach of modern hydraulic compact power packs. In the following, the emphasis is on the more advanced use of known electrical quantities, such as electrical conductivity and the dielectric constant of a liquid.

Originality/value

Based on the changes in these quantities, we have the possibility of real-time monitoring the hydraulic fluid condition, on the basis of which we judge the degree of fluid degradation and its suitability for further use.
Toward a comprehensive scale of online shopping experiences: a mixed-method approach
Authors: Pentina Iryna , Zolfagharian Mohammadali , Michaud-Trevinal Aurélia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The objectives of the paper were to develop a theoretical framework of the online shopping experiences (OSE) concept, identify its constituent dimensions and subdimensions, and propose and test a comprehensive measurement scale that would incorporate and reconcile existing fragmented approaches to the phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilized a mixed-method approach to conceptualize a complex phenomenon of online shopping experiences (OSE). Study 1 employed the grounded theory approach to understand the phenomenon, propose its comprehensive definition and a conceptual model. Study 2 developed and tested a comprehensive OSE measurement scale.

Findings

The study conceptualized OSE as a second-order construct with four mutually-connected constituent dimensions of OSE: practices, context, values and emotions, and their respective 21 subdimensions. It developed and validated a comprehensive scale that is superior to earlier proposed fragmented measures of OSE.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed theoretical framework can serve as a foundation for the OSE research stream and consolidate existing findings by providing a conceptual umbrella for different OSE aspects addressed in earlier research. The OSE measurement scale can be used to assess the impact of each OSE component on satisfaction and loyalty in different shopping situations.

Practical implications

The findings can assist retailers in evaluating usefulness of various tools in eliciting certain experiential effects, devising specific approaches to consumers at different touch points along their dynamic OSEs and developing engagement tactics for various shopping environments.

Originality/value

The study combined qualitative and quantitative approaches to offer a most comprehensive and unifying conceptualization and measurement instrument of OSEs.
Establishing factors affecting the tax morale of individuals working in the gig economy
Authors: Md Fadzil Farah Nabila , Che Azmi Anna
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide insights into the factors affecting the tax morale of workers in the gig economy. Tax morale is defined as the willingness and motivation to comply with tax laws.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from gig economy workers through a questionnaire survey and analysed using second-generation multivariate analysis (partial least squares-structural equation modelling).

Findings

The findings reveal that while the extent of the dependency on the gig economy has a positive relationship with tax morale, the level of education has a negative relationship. However, in contrast to reflective moral attentiveness, perceptual moral attentiveness positively influence tax morale.

Originality/value

As no earlier study has examined factors affecting tax morale in the context of the gig economy, this research will be beneficial to tax authorities and policymakers. This study also offers insights into multidimensional aspects of the tax morale of those working in the gig economy.
A review of the legislative framework for social media records in Botswana
Authors: Mosweu Tshepho Lydia
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper to review the legislative framework for social media records in Botswana. The goal is to determine the extent to which the current legislation in Botswana covers the management of social media records.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper applied a qualitative research methodology and used documentary review method to collect data for analysis. The data collected was reviewed and organised into themes that cut across all the data sources to answer the main research objective.

Findings

The findings of this paper show that the Botswana Government has made strides in reforming some legislation to address issues that rise with the continued use of the internet and cloud services in the country. However, a review of the legislation established that the reforms were not comprehensive enough for records generated on social media. The relevant subsidiary legislation also fell shot in filing this gap in the country’s legislative framework.

Research limitations/implications

Research into the legislative framework for records generated on social media platforms in Botswana still needs more insights, specifically guidelines in the implementation of the current legislation in the country.

Practical implications

The findings of this paper can be used by both Botswana and other governments, especially in Africa where there is limited research in the area, to better manage records generated through the use of social media with respect to relevant legislative frameworks.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first research contributions to review the legislative framework for records generated on social media in Botswana.
DebaryOmics: an integrative –omics study to understand the halophilic behaviour of Debaryomyces hansenii
Authors: Navarrete Clara , Sánchez Benjamín J. , Savickas Simonas , Martínez José L.
Published: November 2021

Debaryomyces hansenii is a non‐conventional yeast considered to be a well‐suited option for a number of different industrial bioprocesses. It exhibits a set of beneficial traits (halotolerant, oleaginous, xerotolerant, inhibitory compounds resistant) which translates to a number of advantages for industrial fermentation setups when compared to traditional hosts. Although D. hansenii has been highly studied during the last three decades, especially in regards to its salt‐tolerant character, the molecular mechanisms underlying this natural tolerance should be further investigated in order to broadly use this yeast in biotechnological processes. In this work, we performed a series of chemostat cultivations in controlled bioreactors where D. hansenii (CBS 767) was grown in the presence of either 1M NaCl or KCl and studied the transcriptomic and (phospho)proteomic profiles. Our results show that sodium and potassium trigger different responses at both expression and regulation of protein activity levels and also complemented previous reports pointing to specific cellular processes as key players in halotolerance, moreover providing novel information about the specific genes involved in each process. The phosphoproteomic analysis, the first of this kind ever reported in D. hansenii, also implicated a novel and yet uncharacterized cation transporter in the response to high sodium concentrations.
Electrocardiogram evolution of acute anterior ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction following pericarditis
Authors: Bai Xiaopeng , Wang Yufeng , Shi Shuai , Sun Lixiu , Zhao Jia , Liu Bingchen
Published: November 2021

Electrocardiogram is a powerful tool for differentiating acute ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and pericarditis. However, an unusual ECG presentation of the simultaneous occurrence of the two conditions has not been reported previously. In this article, we report a case of ECG evolution of acute anterior STEMI following pericarditis with pericardial effusion (PE) and find that QRS complex widening in ECG lead with maximal ST‐segment elevation is also applicable for identifying STEMI even in patients with prior pericarditis. Undoubtedly, our case can help prevent emergency physicians from making incorrect diagnoses and administering inappropriate treatments.
Clinicopathological significance of CD28 overexpression in adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Sakamoto Yuma , Ishida Takashi , Masaki Ayako , Takeshita Morishige , Iwasaki Hiromi , Yonekura Kentaro , Tashiro Yukie , Ito Asahi , Kusumoto Shigeru , Iida Shinsuke , Utsunomiya Atae , Ueda Ryuzo , Inagaki Hiroshi
Published: November 2021

CD28, one of the costimulatory molecules, has a pivotal role in T‐cell activation, and its expression is strictly regulated in normal T cells. Gain‐of‐function genetic alterations involving CD28 have been frequently observed in adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). These abnormalities, such as CD28 fusions and copy number variations, may not only confer continuous, prolonged, and enhanced CD28 signaling to downstream pathways but also induce overexpression of the CD28 protein. In this study, 120 ATLL cases were examined by immunohistochemistry for CD28 and its ligands CD80 and CD86, and their expression on tumor cells was semiquantitatively evaluated. CD28 was overexpressed in 55 (46%) cases, and CD80 or CD86 (CD80/CD86) was infrequently overexpressed in 12 (11%). Compared with non‐overexpressers, CD28 overexpressers showed a higher frequency of CD28 genetic alterations and had an increased number of CD80/CD86‐positive non‐neoplastic cells infiltrating tumor microenvironment. In the entire ATLL patient cohort, CD28 overexpressers showed a significantly poorer overall survival (OS) compared with non‐overexpressers (P = .001). The same was true for a subgroup who were treated with multidrug regimens with or without mogamulizumab. CD28 overexpression had no prognostic impact in the group who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the multivariate analysis for OS, CD28 overexpression was selected as an independent risk factor. These results suggest ATLL patients with CD28 overexpression have more aggressive clinical course and are more refractory to treatment with multidrug chemotherapy. CD28 overexpression appears to be a novel unfavorable prognostic marker in ATLL patients, and further prospective studies are warranted to establish its prognostic significance.
Microstructural white matter abnormalities in Lesch–Nyhan disease
Authors: Del Bene Victor A. , Crawford Jeffrey L. , Gómez‐Gastiasoro Ainara , Vannorsdall Tracy D. , Buchholz Alison , Ojeda Natalia , Harris James C. , Jinnah Hyder A. , Schretlen David J.
Published: November 2021

Lesch–Nyhan disease is a rare, sex‐linked, genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by hyperuricemia, dystonia, cognitive impairment and recurrent self‐injury. We previously found reduced brain white matter volume in patients with Lesch–Nyhan disease compared with healthy adults using voxel‐based morphometry. Here, we address the structural integrity of white matter via diffusion tensor imaging. We hypothesized that white matter integrity would be decreased in men with Lesch–Nyhan disease and to a lesser extent in men with a milder variant of the disease (Lesch–Nyhan variant) relative to healthy men. After acquiring diffusion‐weighted brain images from Lesch–Nyhan disease (n = 5), Lesch–Nyhan variant (n = 6) and healthy participants (n = 10), we used both tract‐based spatial statistics and a regions of interest approach to analyse between‐group fractional anisotropy differences. We first replicated earlier findings of reduced intracranial, grey matter and white matter volumes in patients. We then discovered marked reductions of fractional anisotropy relative to the healthy control group. The Lesch–Nyhan disease group showed more pronounced reductions in white matter integrity than the Lesch–Nyhan variant group. In addition to whole brain fractional anisotropy group differences, reductions in white matter integrity were observed in the corpus callosum, corona radiata, cingulum, internal capsule and superior longitudinal fasciculus. Moreover, the variant group had attenuated dystonia severity symptoms and cognitive deficits. These findings highlight the need to better understand the role of white matter in Lesch–Nyhan disease.
Do predators keep prey healthy or make them sicker? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Richards Robert L. , Drake John M. , Ezenwa Vanessa O.
Published: November 2021

Ecological theory suggests that predators can either keep prey populations healthy by reducing parasite burdens or alternatively, increase parasitism in prey. To quantify the overall magnitude and direction of the effect of predation on parasitism in prey observed in practice, we conducted a meta‐analysis of 47 empirical studies. We also examined how study attributes, including parasite type and life cycle, habitat type, study design, and whether predators were able to directly consume prey contributed to variation in the predator‐prey‐parasite interaction. We found that the overall effect of predation on parasitism differed between parasites and parasitoids and that whether consumptive effects were present, and whether a predator was a non‐host spreader of parasites, were the most important traits predicting the parasite response. Our results suggest that the mechanistic basis of predator‐prey interactions strongly influences the effects of predators on parasites and that these effects, although context dependent, are predictable.
Effects of performance goal orientations on learning performance and in‐game performance in digital game‐based learning
Authors: Yang Jie Chi , Chung Ching‐Jung , Chen Mei‐Shan
Published: November 2021

Background

Performance goal orientations are influential motivational factors for predicting learning performance. However, a lack of attention has been paid to investigating the effects of performance goal orientations on learning performance and in‐game performance in the context of digital game‐based learning.

Objectives

This study implemented a game‐based English vocabulary learning system and investigated how performance goal orientations affected learners' learning performance and in‐game performance.

Methods

A total of 59 non‐English major university students participated in this study, divided into performance‐approach learners (PAPL) and performance‐avoidance learners (PAVL) based on their performance goal orientations. The English vocabulary listening test and log data were collected for conducting quantitative analyses.

Results and conclusions

The results showed that the PAPL outperformed the PAVL in learning performance, whereas the two groups demonstrated similar gain scores and overall in‐game performance. Moreover, the results showed that the PAVL's learning performance was strongly associated with all aspects of in‐game performance in the learning activities. Conversely, the PAPL's learning performance was only associated with two aspects of in‐game performance in the competition activities.

Implications

The findings of this study suggest that performance goal orientations play significant roles in both learning performance and in‐game performance, which could benefit the PAVL's in‐game performance, which is a substantial factor in promoting their learning performance via DGBL.
Mechanism of improving interfacial hydration characteristic of high‐denatured peanut protein induced by cold plasma
Authors: Yu Jiao‐jiao , Jiang Pei‐yun , Li Shu‐hong , Chen Ye
Published: November 2021

High‐denatured peanut protein (HPP), obtained from high‐temperature pressed peanut meal, is limited in the food industry applications due to poor hydration characteristics. The ionic force generated by the cold plasma (CP) was used to activate the surface groups of HPP for generating the interfacial chemical force binding with water molecules, in which the high‐speed shear homogenization (12,000 r/min, 15 min) was as a pretreatment to enhance the accessibility for CP. The content of soluble protein increased from 0.22 ± 0.005 to 1.02 ± 0.03 mg/ml with a CP treatment power of 70 W for 2 min. Meanwhile, CP treatment facilitated the transition of weakly bound water to strongly bound water, therefore, the hydration property was improved. The tertiary, secondary, and apparent structure in HPP stretched after CP treatment. Besides, NH4+ ions in CP excited state improved the flexibility of HPP. Some hydrophilic groups such as COOH, CO, C═O, and OH formed via hydrogen bond to HPP surface was the primary reason for the increased hydration property, which was related to an increase of oxygen on the surface of protein. The increased interfacial hydration property of proteins provides the possibility for the preparation of preparation of functional films, gels, and nutrition agents.

Practical applications

Cold plasma (CP), as a nonthermal and surface processing technology, has drawn great attention during the processing. The amount of free radicals, high‐energy electrons, ions, and ultraviolet radiation generated by CP modified the surface structure of the materials, which avoided thermal denaturation and pollution, and had high efficiency. This study indicated that CP treatment enhanced the interfacial hydration characteristic of the high‐denatured peanut protein extracted from peanut meal via analyzing the changes of structure, functional property, as well as chemical bonds, which was beneficial for the preparation of functional films, and gels for drug and nutrition delivery.
Validation of a claims‐based algorithm to identify cases of ulcerative colitis in Japan
Authors: Ogino Haruei , Morikubo Hiromu , Fukaura Keita , Okui Tasuku , Gardiner Sean , Sugiyama Naonobu , Yoshii Noritoshi , Kawaguchi Tsutomu , Chen Haoqian , Nonnenmacher Edward , Setoguchi Soko , Nakashima Naoki , Kobayashi Taku
Published: November 2021

Background and Aim

The prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) is increasing in Japan. Validated claims‐based definitions are required to investigate the epidemiology of UC and its treatment and disease course in clinical practice. This study aimed to develop a claims‐based algorithm for UC in Japan.

Methods

A committee of epidemiologists, gastroenterologists, and internal medicine physicians developed a claims‐based definition for UC, based on diagnostic codes and claims for UC treatments, procedures (cytapheresis), or surgery (postoperative claims). Claims data and medical records for a random sample of 200 cases per site at two large tertiary care academic centers in Japan were used to calculate the positive predictive value (PPV) of the algorithm for three gold standards of diagnosis, defined as physician diagnosis in the medical records, adjudicated cases, or registration in the Japanese Intractable Disease Registry (IDR).

Results

Overall, 1139 claims‐defined UC cases were identified. Among 393 randomly sampled cases (mean age 44; 48% female), 94% had received ≥ 1 systemic treatment (immunosuppressants, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, corticosteroids, or antidiarrheals), 7% had cytapheresis, and 7% had postoperative claims. When physician diagnosis was used as a gold standard, PPV was 90.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 87.7–93.5). PPV with expert adjudication was also 90.6% (95% CI: 87.7–93.5). PPVs with enrollment in the IDR as gold standard were lower at 41.5% (95% CI: 36.6–46.3) due to incomplete case registration.

Conclusions

The claims‐based algorithm developed for use in Japan is likely to identify UC cases with high PPV for clinical studies using administrative claims databases.
Empowering women can improve child dietary diversity in Ethiopia
Authors: Baye Kaleab , Laillou Arnaud , Chitekwe Stanley
Published: November 2021

Women empowerment is an underlying factor of child feeding and nutrition. However, the lack of standardized measurements has made it difficult to design interventions that embed women empowerment and measure their impacts. This study aimed to assess temporal trends in women empowerment in Ethiopia and evaluate their contribution towards improving dietary diversity in infants and young children. We used women and child data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey 2005, 2011, and 2016, yielding a total sample of 6113 mother–child pairs. The survey‐based women's empowerment index (SWPER) developed and validated for use in Africa was used to assess three dimensions of women empowerment: (i) social autonomy, (ii) decision making; and (iii) attitude to violence. We used multiple‐linear and multivariable logistic regression to assess the associations between SWPER and the number of food groups consumed/and the minimum dietary diversity (MDD). To determine drivers of changes over time, a regression decomposition analysis was run. Women empowerment indices have improved over the 2005–2016 period, but a significant proportion of women had low standardized SWPER scores for autonomy/social independence (47%) and attitude to violence (49%) domains in 2016. SWPER autonomy and SWPER decision‐making scores were strongly associated with the odds of meeting MDD. Changes in women empowerment accounted for 17% of the improvements in MDD between 2005 and 2016. SWPER was a stronger predictor of the change in MDD, than known predictors like wealth, child age, and urban residence. As a critical underlying driver of child nutrition, women empowerment should be boldly addressed and integrated in nutrition interventions.
Evidence of the folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway genes in controlling the non‐syndromic oral clefts risks
Authors: Wang Siyue , Shi Jiayu , Liu Chunfang , Wang Ping , Wang Mengying , Li Wenyong , Zhou Ren , Zheng Hongchen , Jiang Jin , Li Nan , Li Jing , Zhou Zhibo , Zhu Hongping , Wu Yiqun , Jia Zhonglin , Wu Tao , Hu Yonghua , Beaty Terri H.
Published: November 2021

The folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway is thought to play an important role in the etiology of non‐syndromic oral clefts (NSOFC), although none of the genes in this pathway has shown significant signals in genome‐wide association studies (GWAS). Recent evidence indicated that enhanced understanding could be gained by aggregating multiple SNPs effect simultaneously into polygenic risk score (PRS) to assess its association with disease risks. This study is aimed to assess the association between the genetic effect of folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway and NSOFC risks using PRS based on a case–parent trio design. A total of 297 SNPs mapped from 18 genes in the folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway were aggregated from a GWAS of 2458 case–parent trios recruited from an international consortium. We found a PRS based on the folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway was significant among all NSOFC trios (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.66–2.28, p = 2.39 × 10−16), as well as two major subtypes, non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) trios (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.50–1.96, p = 7.66 × 10−15) and non‐syndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO) trios (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.36–1.68, p = 2.1 × 10−14). Similar results were also observed in further subgroup analyses stratified into Asian and European trios. The averaged PRS of the folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway varied between the NSOFC case group and its comparison group (p < 0.05) with higher average PRS in the cases. Moreover, the top 5% pathway PRS group had 2.25 (95% CI: 1.85–2.73) times increased NSOFC risk, also 3.09 (95% CI: 2.50–3.81) and 2.06 (95% CI: 1.39–3.02) times increased risk of NSCL/P and NSCPO compared to the remainder of the distribution. The results of our study confirmed the folate‐mediated one‐carbon metabolism pathway was important in controlling risk to NSOFC and this study enhanced evidence towards understanding the genetic risks of NSOFC.
DNA‐Binding domain mutations confer severe outcome at an early age among STAT1 gain‐of‐function patients
Authors: Scott Ori , Dadi Harjit , Vong Linda , Pasternak Yehonatan , Garkaby Jenny , Willett Pachul Jessica , Mandola Amarilla B. , Brager Rae , Hostoffer Robert , Nahum Amit , Roifman Chaim M.
Published: November 2021

Background

STAT1 gain‐of‐function (GOF) is an immune dysregulatory disorder with poorly studied genotype‐phenotype correlation, impeding prognostication and early intervention. Given previous mechanistic studies, as well as anecdotal clinical reports, we sought to systematically determine whether DNA‐binding domain (DBD) mutations in STAT1 result in a different phenotype than mutations in other gene domains.

Methods

Negative prognostic features previously identified by the International STAT1 GOF Study Group (invasive infections, intracranial aneurysms, and malignancy), as well as other clinical features and mortality, were compared within a cohort of 30 patients with STAT1 GOF diagnosed at our center, consisting of 9 patients with DBD mutations and 21 patients with non‐DBD mutations. We subsequently re‐analyzed mortality data from a large, previously‐published 274‐patient cohort by the International STAT1 GOF Study Group.

Results

While no differences were noted with respect to malignancy or symptomatic aneurysms, invasive /opportunistic infections were substantially more common among DBD patients, as were sinopulmonary infections, bronchiectasis, enteropathy, endocrinopathies, lymphoproliferative manifestations, and recurrent fevers/HLH. DBD patients also had a lower probability of survival and younger age of mortality compared with non‐DBD patients. Our re‐evaluation of the published data from the International STAT1 GOF Study Group revealed a similar finding of earlier mortality among patients harboring DBD mutations.

Conclusion

We report that STAT1 GOF patients with DBD mutations may be regarded as a unique subgroup, impacted more by early‐onset profound combined immunodeficiency and with earlier mortality. These findings may impact clinical decision making with respect to early intervention, and in particular hematopoietic stem cell transplant considerations, in such patients.
Usefulness of brain natriuretic peptide to distinguish Kawasaki disease from cervical lymphadenitis
Authors: Muto Taichiro , Masuda Yu , Nakamura Nami , Numoto Shingo , Kodama Shunsuke , Miyamoto Ryosuke , Miyata Kenji , Hayakawa Tomohito , Mori Hiromitsu , Kuroyanagi Yoshiyuki , Akaihata Mitsuko , Iwayama Hideyuki , Kurahashi Hirokazu , Shimomura Yasuhito , Nagai Takuhito , Hori Toshinori , Agata Hiroatsu , Okumura Akihisa
Published: November 2021

Background

Cervical lymphadenitis (CL) cannot be easily distinguished from Kawasaki disease (KD). We therefore explored whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are useful in this context.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 14 children with CL and 177 children with KD. Patients with KD were divided into three groups according to their clinical symptoms at hospitalization – 97 patients had typical KD, 35 had node‐first KD (NFKD), and 45 had KD without lymphadenopathy. We reviewed data on clinical and laboratory parameters, including serum BNP levels, at hospitalization together with factors that might distinguish KD from CL.

Results

Patients with CL were older than those with KD. Serum BNP levels were higher in all the KD groups than in the CL group. Multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that higher BNP levels were associated with NFKD (odds ratio: 1.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.25). The receiver operating characteristic curve yielded a BNP cutoff of 18.3 pg/mL, with a sensitivity of 0.680, a specificity of 0.857, and an area under the curve of 0.806 (95% confidence interval: 0.665–0.947).

Conclusions

Serum BNP levels can be used to distinguish KD from CL, especially in patients with NFKD.
Effects of On‐Demand Product Adjustments on Firm's Pricing and Product Strategies
Authors: Jiang Baojun , Shi Hongyan , Zou Tianxin
Published: November 2021

In many markets, consumers have time‐varying needs for product or service quality. Recent technology advances equip firms with the on‐demand product‐adjustment capability (OPAC), which allows them to efficiently process customers' requests for short‐term (e.g., daily or hourly) changes of service quality to meet their time‐varying demands. This paper examines how OPAC affects a firm's optimal pricing and product‐line decisions in a market with consumers having time‐varying product needs and different average need levels. OPAC gives the firm a new way to price discriminate consumers—having a targeted consumer use a low‐end product in her low‐need state and upgrade to a high‐end product in her high‐need state; this contrasts the traditional use of a product line to segment consumers based on their expected valuations, that is, average need levels, whereby each consumer uses only one product and cannot flexibly adjust the product quality over time. We show that OPAC does not always improve the firm's profit: it does so only when consumers' valuations vary significantly over time or when each segment of consumers with different probabilities of having a high valuation is not too small. Moreover, although OPAC enables the firm to provide additional options to serve more consumer segments, it may actually induce the firm to optimally serve fewer consumer segments. One may intuit that OPAC would induce the firm to reduce the low‐end product's quality to elicit more upgrades; our analysis shows that, interestingly, OPAC can lead to an increase in quality for both high‐end and low‐end products.
Sawflies out of Gondwana: phylogenetics and biogeography of Argidae (Hymenoptera)
Authors: Malagón‐Aldana Leonardo A. , Jensen Arn R. , Smith David R. , Shinohara Akihiko , Vilhelmsen Lars
Published: November 2021

We present the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the cosmopolitan family Argidae based on both molecular and morphological data. Furthermore, we present a biogeographic scenario based on a dated phylogeny and interpret the evolutionary history of the family. Information from sequences of eight genes is analysed to reconstruct the phylogeny of the Argidae based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Total evidence Bayesian analyses are also conducted, combining the molecular dataset with data from adult and larval morphology. For the historical biogeographic reconstruction, divergence times are estimated using node dating with uncorrelated relaxed‐clock analysis, and ancestral biogeographical distributions are estimated applying a Dispersal Extinction Cladogenesis model and a Bayesian binary model. Argidae s.s. is retrieved as monophyletic in all analyses and the clade Zenargidae + (Argidae + Pergidae) is better supported when combining molecular and morphological characters, and when excluding the saturated third codon position in the molecular analysis. Within Argidae, two large clades corresponding to the subfamilies Arginae and Sterictiphorinae sensu Benson are retrieved as monophyletic. The ancestral distribution of Arginae and Sterictiphorinae is estimated to be the Australian and Neotropical regions. Divergence of Argidae‐Pergidae and Arginae‐Sterictiphorinae is estimated to occur in the middle‐upper Jurassic before or during the east‐west Gondwana breakup. Diversification of Argidae may be associated with the radiation of angiosperms in the Early Cretaceous, especially for the Neotropical Sterictiphorinae after the separation of South America and Africa. Arginae were probably introduced to the northern hemisphere by dispersal to Africa and/or India and subsequent continental collision with Eurasia in the Cenozoic. The occurrence of Sterictiphorinae in the northern hemisphere is more difficult to explain. Maternal care and brood guarding behaviour evolved independently in Argidae and Pergidae, with a single origin in a subclade (Dielocerini) of Sterictiphorinae.
Phenotypic characterisation and associations of leg ulcers in adult sickle cell patients
Authors: Madu Anazoeze , Madu Kenechi , Anigbogu Ikechukwu , Ugwu Angela Ogechukwu , Okwulehie Vincent A. , Ololo Uchenna , Ugwu Chioma , Chikezie Kelechi
Published: November 2021

Sickle leg ulcer (SLU) occurs as a result chronic occlusion of the vasculature with consequent necrosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue usually in proximity of the malleoli. The description of clinical associations and the simultaneous occurrence of SLU and other complications of SCD compared to the non‐SLU patients was the aim of this work. A total of 272 (60.8% males and 39.2% females) patients were captured during this time period out of which 68 (51 males and 17 females) had SLU out of whom 20 patients had bilateral leg ulcers. Prevalence of SLU was 25% and the median age of patients was 25 years, frequency of crisis 2 per annum and 44 (74.6%) had been transfused in the past. Median Hb of the group was 7.6 g/dl and 25% had values lower than 6.5. The occurrence of other complications in SLU patients was as follows; 10 had AVN, 9 priapism, 8 had osteomyelitis, 6 nephropathy, stroke 2, osteoarthritis 4 and cholelithiasis 4. There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of SLU and gender of the patient being more in 67males—Likelihood ratio 4.610 (p = 0.032) and the occurrence of pulmonary hypertension—Likelihood ratio 4.762 (p = 0.029). There was no significant association between the occurrence of SLU and other complications of SCD. Leg ulcer patients have a median age of 25 years with a prevalence of 25% but do not necessarily show other features of severe disease phenotypes. SLU patients were more likely to develop pulmonary hypertension. Further studies on impact of environmental factors on the occurrence of SLU are needed to further evaluate its aetiology.
Effectiveness of photodynamic therapy on treatment response and survival of patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Cardoso Miguel , Marto Carlos Miguel , Paula Anabela , Coelho Ana Sofia , Pinho e Melo Teresa M.V.D. , Marques Ferreira Manuel , Botelho Maria Filomena , Carrilho Eunice , Laranjo Mafalda
Published: November 2021

Objective:

This review aims to systematically examine the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy for the treatment of patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Introduction:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is a significant public health problem, and is the seventh most common cancer. Its incidence is mainly due to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and HPV infection. The survival rates are poor due to diagnosis at advanced stages, with high recurrence rates. Although current evidence does not point to photodynamic therapy as a first-line option, this treatment might be suitable for treating recurrent stages of the cancer where conventional treatments were ineffective. Despite the potential of photodynamic therapy, there is a need to verify the scientific evidence to support its indication for the treatment of recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Inclusion criteria:

This review will consider studies on any stage of recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma treated with photodynamic therapy after receiving first-line conventional treatments. Patients of any age, gender, and geographic location will be included. The primary outcomes will be to evaluate response to treatment, focusing on remission, recurrence, change in size of the lesion, alleviation of symptoms, and survival. Secondary outcomes will be postoperative complications, presence of necrosis, patient quality of life after treatment, and patient satisfaction.

Methods:

Studies will be searched using a combination of index terms and keywords in MEDLINE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov. No date limits will be applied. Articles written in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese will be considered. Findings will be provided as a narrative synthesis, structured around the photodynamic therapy protocol used. A meta-analysis is planned and subgroup analysis will be conducted if possible. The certainty of findings will be assessed.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020141075