bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Data and oil: Metaphor, materiality and metabolic rifts
Authors: Taffel Sy
Published: June 2021

‘Data is the new oil’ is a phrase that is frequently employed to indicate that digital technologies and data extraction have supplanted fossil fuels and geological extractivism as the central driver of the global economy. While this metaphor has been subject to discursive and ideological critique within media, communication and cultural studies, this article conducts a materialist analysis of the connections between data and oil. While claims that data is the new oil typically assume digital technologies to be clean, renewable and sustainable, an infrastructural approach reveals the vast quantities of oil and other fossil fuels necessary for digital capitalism, therefore repudiating claims that data can grow exponentially with no material costs. Consequently, the article explores how metabolic rifts and degrowth offer productive frameworks for outlining the contours of a sustainable and equitable digital future.
Nutritional social work: What it is and why it matters
Authors: Dylan Arielle , Cammaert Jenni
Published: June 2021

This article introduces the area of nutritional social work, beyond the scope of food security and food injustice, from a critical, anti-oppressive and ecofeminist lens. The goal was not to present concrete frameworks but to initiate a discussion surrounding the relevance of nutritional social work and point in a number of possible directions for incorporation of this subdiscipline into social work praxis.

Findings

Nutritional security is an instrumental component of food security, as complete nutrition requires more than just enough energy for every human being. This purposeful combining of food security with nutrition security underscores the need to consider these two issues together, requiring integrated social and health outcomes, as well as cohesive community, policy and development goals aimed at eliminating food insecurity and malnutrition. These considerations need to involve the questions of availability, accessibility (both economically and geographically), cultural practices and sustainability that form the cornerstone of food justice efforts.

Applications

The article highlights the potential contribution of nutritional social work to direct practice, community action, policy development, research and social work education, as it illuminates the pivotal role that nutritional security plays in relation to multilevel considerations of food insecurity, all the while ensuring all people, through participatory, democratizing, power-sharing and equity-creating processes, have access to nutritious foods.
Critical realism, mimetic theory and social work
Authors: Houston Stan , Swords Calvin
Published: June 2021

Scapegoating is a ubiquitous, yet pernicious, phenomenon in today’s world. It manifests in innumerable ways. Social work, in line with its emancipatory value-base, seeks to engage with various scapegoated groups to challenge the experience. In this article, the authors draw on critical realism and mimetic theory to elucidate the causative mechanisms fuelling scapegoating. This is done in order to heighten social workers’ insight into the process and empower targeted groups.

Findings

Mimetic theory highlights that scapegoating is a product of desire, rivalry and deflection. These are deep-seated mechanisms that are compatible with critical realist ontology and its search for causative properties in the social world. It is argued that critical realism augments mimetic theory by setting it within a much wider and deeper context of understanding. As such, it emphasizes intersecting causes and contingencies such as the role of temporal and spatial factors shaping the scapegoating experience.

Applications

Social workers can transform these theoretical insights into sensitizing constructs when they facilitate self-directed groupwork with scapegoated groups. Being theoretically informed, they can pose critical questions to group members to assist them to make the link between personal problems and political issues. The aim is to empower these groups so that they can embrace the sociological imagination and act for change.
Constructions of Deviance by Japanese and German Youth: A Criminological Comparison as a ‘Bottom-Up’ Project
Authors: Dollinger Bernd , Osawa Stephanie , Schirmer Sarah
Published: June 2021

In criminological country comparisons, countries are often assumed to be relatively homogeneous units ( ‘methodological nationalism’). Within individual countries, there seems to be a more or less uniform understanding of crime. In contrast to this supposition, we assume the possibility that interpretations of deviance or crime can also diverge to a great extent within countries. Based on an explorative comparative study with young people in Japan and Germany, we show that there are both similarities and differences: The youths we interviewed in the two countries share some views on norms and norm violations (for instance, relating to school norms which they, at the same time, question, and acknowledge), while in others they differ (e.g. concerning the assessment of the severity of deviant behavior). Criminological country comparisons, we conclude, should pay more attention to controversies on the definition of deviance and crime and to heterogeneity within countries.
Comparison of ADCP measurements to Kuroshio current flow simulations for ocean current turbines
Authors: Imamura John , Takagi Ken , Nagaya Shigeki , Shimizu Masayuki
Published: June 2021

Numerical simulations are compared to field measurements of ocean currents in the Tokara Strait in this work. The Kuroshio Current flows through this strait and an ongoing ocean current turbine device is under development to harness its energy. The usefulness for engineering design input of modeling flow conditions for a large domain in space and time motivates the use of the numerical simulations. Confidence in the accuracy of the simulations can be provided from this comparison to Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) observations during the summer of 2018 at four locations. Numerical simulations of ocean currents which overlap in time with the field observations are presented in an attempt to compare the data on a time-domain basis. The simulations were produced using a Princeton Ocean Model based JCOPE-T-Tokara500 model. The analysis describes the capability of the numerical model to match the flow profile throughout the water column in the time domain and on a statistical basis using histograms and rose diagrams. While instances of speed peaks in the measurement data possibly representing internal waves did not readily appear in the simulation, overall the analysis supports the continued use of simulation current flow for project design input.
A spatial association-coupled double objective support vector machine prediction model for diagnosing the deformation behaviour of high arch dams
Authors: Wang Shaowei , Xu Cong , Liu Yi , Wu Bangbin
Published: June 2021

Displacement is the most intuitive reflection of the structural behaviour of concrete dams, and it is of great significance to predict future displacement for dam health diagnosis. The mathematical models used to predict displacement are mostly established with the only regression objective of minimizing the mean square error between the measured and fitted displacements, whereas the spatial associations between the displacements of multiple monitoring points of an arch dam are ignored. To increase the prediction accuracy of machine learning technique-based mathematical models, a spatial association-coupled support vector machine model is proposed in this article to predict the displacement of high arch dams. This approach is conducted by performing an incremental distance-based spatial clustering for dam displacement field in the first step. The displacement spatial association is quantified by the integrated shape similarity index between the measured time series of multiple monitoring points and is then coupled with the fitting mean square error to optimize the parameters of the support vector machine model. A case study of an engineering example indicates that the prediction accuracy and generalization ability of the proposed double objective support vector machine model have been greatly improved compared to the traditional single objective support vector machine model. For the total 34 plumb line monitoring points on the dam body of the Jinping-I arch dam, when using the hydraulic, seasonal and time- and hydraulic, hysteretic, seasonal and time-based double objective support vector machine models, the prediction accuracy of 25 and 21 monitoring points increases with an average rate of 50.8% and 47.4%, and the degrees of overfitting are evenly reduced by 44.3% and 70.9%, respectively.
Review of Contemporary Techniques for Minimally Invasive Coronary Revascularization
Authors: Fatehi Hassanabad Ali , Kang Jimmy , Maitland Andrew , Adams Corey , Kent William D. T.
Published: June 2021

Minimally invasive coronary revascularization techniques aim to avoid median sternotomy with its associated complications, while facilitating recovery and maintaining the benefits of surgical revascularization. The 3 most common procedures are minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting, totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass, and hybrid coronary revascularization. For a variety of reasons, including cost and technical difficulty, not many centers are routinely performing minimally invasive coronary revascularization. Nevertheless, many studies have assessed the safety and efficacy of each of these procedures in different clinical contexts. Thus far results have been promising, and with the evolution of procedural techniques, these approaches have the potential to redefine coronary revascularization in the future. This review highlights the current state of minimally invasive coronary revascularization techniques by exploring their benefits, identifying barriers to their adoption, and discussing future potential paradigms.
Voxel-based quantitative susceptibility mapping revealed increased cerebral iron over the whole brain in chronic migraine
Authors: Chen Zhiye , Dai Wei , Chen Xiaoyan , Liu Mengqi , Ma Lin , Yu Shengyuan
Published: June 2021

Background

The previous documents demonstrated that iron deposition was identified in brain deep nuclei and periaqueductal gray matter region in chronic migraine (CM), and less is known about the cerebral iron deposition in CM. The aim of this study is to investigate the cerebral iron deposition in CM using an advanced voxel-based quantitative susceptibility mapping.

Methods

A multi-echo gradient echo MR sequence was obtained from 14 CM patients and 28 normal controls (NC), and quantitative susceptibility mapping images were reconstructed and voxel-based analysis was performed over the whole cerebrum. The susceptibility value of all the positive brain regions was extracted and correlation was calculated between the susceptibility value and the clinical variables.

Results

The brain regions with increased susceptibility value in CM patients located in right precuneus, insula, supramarginal gyrus, dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, cuneus and left postcentral gyrus compared with NC. The correlation analysis demonstrated that a positive correlation was identified between susceptibility value of all the positive brain regions and VAS score.

Conclusion

The current study demonstrated increased cerebral iron deposition presented in chronic patients, which suggested that increased cerebral iron deposition might play a role in the migraine chronicization.
Vitamin D in Basketball Players: Current Evidence and Future Directions
Authors: Stojanović Emilija , Radovanović Dragan , Hew-Butler Tamara , Hamar Dušan , Jakovljević Vladimir
Published: June 2021

Context:

Despite growing interest in quantifying and correcting vitamin D inadequacy in basketball players, a critical synthesis of these data is yet to be performed to overcome the low generalizability of findings from individual studies.

Objective:

To provide a comprehensive analysis of data in basketball pertaining to (1) the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy; (2) the effects of vitamin D supplementation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration (and its association with body composition), bone health, and performance; and (3) crucial aspects that warrant further investigation.

Data Sources:

PubMed, MEDLINE, ERIC, Google Scholar, SCIndex, and ScienceDirect databases were searched.

Study Selection:

After screening, 15 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Level of Evidence:

Level 3.

Data Extraction:

The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy, serum 25(OH)D, body composition, stress fractures, and physical performance were extracted.

Results:

The pooled prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy for 527 basketball players in 14 studies was 77% ( P < 0.001; 95% CI, 0.70-0.84). Supplementation with 4000 IU/d and 4000 IU/wk (absolute mean difference [AMD]: 25.39 nmol/L; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 13.44-37.33), as well as 10,000 IU/d (AMD: 100.01; P < 0.001; 95% CI, 70.39-129.63) vitamin D restored 25(OH)D to normal concentrations. Body composition data revealed inverse correlations between changes in serum 25(OH)D (from pre- to postsupplementation) and body fat ( r = −0.80; very large). Data concerning positive impacts of vitamin D supplementation on bone health and physical performance remain sparse.

Conclusion:

The high proportion of vitamin D inadequacy underscores the need to screen for serum 25(OH)D in basketball players. Although supplementation restored vitamin D sufficiency, the beneficial effects on bone health and physical performance remain sparse. Adiposity can modulate 25(OH)D response to supplementation.
The use of mannitol in partial nephrectomy for renal function preservation: meta-analysis and systematic review of comparative studies
Authors: Rivera Kay C , Tiangco Rogerson DG , Aba Luzelle Kate B , Ongkeko Jose Leuel A , Dy Jun S , Chua Michael E
Published: June 2021

Objective:

We aimed to assess the effect and safety of mannitol use in partial nephrectomy for renal function preservation.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed. Randomised controlled trials and non-randomised controlled trials comparing with versus without mannitol use in partial nephrectomy were screened and evaluated according to Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. Outcomes assessed were percentage change from preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate, estimated blood loss and complications. The standardised mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were extrapolated. Effect estimates were pooled using the inverse variance method with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis was performed according to study design and follow-up duration. Grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations assessment was used to rate the quality of evidence.

Results:

A total of 1136 patients from two randomised controlled trials ( n=264) and six non-randomised controlled trials ( n=872) were included. The included randomised controlled trials had some concerns regarding a high risk of bias; while the non-randomised controlled trials were all retrospective studies with moderate to serious concern for risk of bias. Overall pooled effect estimates for short and long-term follow-up showed no significant differences between intervention groups for percentage change from preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (SMD 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.11, 0.29; SMD −0.06, 95% CI −0.22, 0.06, respectively). Likewise, no between-group difference was noted for intraoperative blood loss and complication rates (SMD 0.05, 95% CI −0.08, 0.17; RR 1.07, 95% CI 0.6, 1.82, respectively).

Conclusion:

The pooled effect estimates from both randomised and non-randomised comparative studies illustrated no overall short-term or long-term advantage with mannitol use in partial nephrectomy for the preservation of estimated glomerular filtration rate. Likewise, no difference was noted for intraoperative blood loss or complication rates. However, to date there is only a very low to low quality of evidence available to extrapolate conclusions.

Level of evidence:

Very low to low
Correlations between macrophage/microglial activation marker sTREM-2 and measures of T-cell activation, neuroaxonal damage and disease severity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ioannides Zara A , Csurhes Peter A , Swayne Andrew , Foubert Philippe , Aftab Blake T , Pender Michael P
Published: June 2021

Background

Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (sTREM-2) is a marker of macrophage and microglial activation and is increased in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Objective

To determine the relationships among sTREM-2, T cell activation, neuroaxonal damage and clinical features of MS.

Methods

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure the levels of sTREM-2, soluble CD27 (sCD27, a marker of T cell activation), neurofilament light chain (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNfH) in the CSF of 42 patients with MS (including nine with clinically isolated syndrome) and 15 patients with other neurological diseases (OND) and in the serum of 164 patients with MS, 87 patients with OND and 62 healthy controls.

Results

sTREM-2 was significantly elevated in the CSF ( p = 0.012), but not in the serum, in MS compared to OND. In MS, CSF sTREM-2 correlated positively with CSF sCD27 ( p = 0.005), CSF NfL ( p = 0.0001), CSF pNfH ( p = 0.0006), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ( p = 0.0079) and MS Severity Score (MSSS) ( p = 0.0006).

Conclusion

In MS the level of sTREM-2 in the CSF is related to measures of T cell activation (sCD27), neuroaxonal damage (NfL and pNfH), disability (EDSS) and disease severity (MSSS).
Geriatric Sinus Surgery: A Review of Demographic Variables, Surgical Success and Complications in Elderly Surgical Patients
Authors: Helman Samuel N. , Carlton Daniel , Deutsch Brian , Choake Robert , Patel Varun , Govindaraj Satish , Iloreta Alfred M. C. , Del Signore Anthony
Published: June 2021

Objective

Demonstrate feasibility, safety and outcome metrics of geriatric sinus surgery (GESS).

Study Design

Retrospective review of patients undergoing sinus surgery for indication of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyposis.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Participants

Patients who underwent FESS from 2008–2017; excluding skull base, craniofacial, or oncologic surgery. Primary study group were patients aged 65 years and older. Patients aged 40–64 years of age were included for comparison. Main Outcomes and Measures: Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independently associated patient characteristics and perioperative variables. Preoperative medical and treatment history, revision and primary surgery, preoperative and post-operative SNOT-22 and NOSE scores, Lund-McKay scores were recorded when available. Post-operative data was assessed at a minimum of two months after the index procedure. Post-operative complications were included.

Results

Ninety-one (91) patients met criteria. 21.2% of the geriatric patients were taking systemic anticoagulation prior to surgery, and underwent treatment with nasal steroids (25.0%), oral antibiotics (67.7%), nasal irrigations (48.4%), and systemic steroids (37.5%) over an average of 7.3 months prior to surgery. There was an average post-operative reduction of 15.0 points (p < 0.0001) and 42.5 points (p = 0.0008) for SNOT-22 and NOSE scores, respectively. Average operative time was 117.4 minutes in geriatric patients compared to 183.4 minutes in younger patients (p = 0.004), with an average estimated blood loss of 55.6 milliliters (mL) compared to younger patients (111.8 mL) (p = 0.04). Linear regression identified revision surgery as associated with reductions in Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores (p = 0.011). Geriatric patients had a shorter operative time (p = 0.011) while male sex was associated with a longer operative time (p = 0.014). Patients over 65 had fewer minor complications (p = 0.01), and there were no major complications in either group.

Conclusions and Relevance

Geriatric sinus surgery is effective and safe in this cohort of patients.
Ethnocultural Empathy and Racial Colorblindness Among White Police Recruits: Do Cross-Racial Friendships Matter?
Authors: Lee B. Andi , Neville Helen A. , Schlosser Michael , Valgoi Maria J. , Cha-Jua Sundiata K.
Published: June 2021

We investigated how ethnocultural empathy and colorblind racial beliefs were associated through the racial composition of close friendship groups in police recruits. In a sample of White police recruits in a midwestern training academy ( N = 192), mediation analyses revealed a significant association between ethnocultural empathy and colorblind racial beliefs through Black friendships. Specifically, findings from path analyses indicated an indirect effect between earlier empathy for Black, Indigenous, People of Color and later reduced denial of institutional racism. Although both ethnocultural empathy and racial beliefs were associated with Asian American and Latinx friends, these close cross-racial friendships were not significant mediators. Limitations, directions for future research, and implications for training and intervention in police samples are discussed.
Body Composition and Selected Nutritional Indicators in Healthy Adults—A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Więch Paweł , Chmiel Zdzisława , Bazaliński Dariusz , Sobolewski Marek , Sałacińska Izabela
Published: June 2021

Background

Body mass composition is subject to constant change and is multifactorially determined. Its analysis in different age groups allows a better understanding of the determinants of the human organism in health and disease.

Aim

The study was aimed to conduct cross-sectional assessment of body composition and selected nutritional indicators in healthy adults.

Methods

The cross-sectional study carried out from March 2016 to April 2018 was preceded by a monthly pilot study. All 1333 adults (women 795, 59.6%) aged 20–59 included in the study were from the urban and rural area of the Podkarpackie Province (Poland). These adults were classified into four 10-year age bands. To obtain reliable assessment, selected screening (anthropometry) and in-depth (bioelectrical impedance including phase angle and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis) methods were used.

Results

In women, the proportion of individuals affected by overweight and obesity increases significantly with age, with a less pronounced trend in men, as reflected in the observed differences in individual body composition components. A slight (0.45–0.60) correlation was also observed between body mass index (BMI) and percentage of fat mass (FM %) among men with an increasing strength of the association with age, decreasing in the 50–59 years group. In the female group, the correlations described are at a much higher level (0.80 or higher). The described changes in body composition were reflected in body type from athletic to obese, measured by means of the bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) method.

Conclusions

Age and gender significantly differentiate body composition of the adult human body. The body composition analysis should be considered as complement screening assessment method, especially as a support for the assessment of nutritional status expressed by BMI.
The recalibration of our relationships with science (and nature) by natural hazard risk mitigation practitioners
Authors: Weir Jessica K , Neale Timothy , Clarke Elizabeth A
Published: June 2021

Unrealistic expectations in society about science reducing and even eliminating the risk of natural hazards contrasts with the chaotic forces of these events, but such expectations persist nonetheless. Risk mitigation practitioners must grapple with them, including in the cycles of blame and inquiry that follow natural hazard events. We present a synthesis of such practitioner experiences from three consequential bushfire and flood risk landscapes in Australia in which science was being used to change policy and/or practice. We show how they chose to work with, counter and recalibrate unrealistic expectations of science, as well as embrace socionatural complexity and a consequential nature. The mismatch between the challenges faced by the sector and the unrealistic expectations of science, generated more stressful work conditions, less effective risk mitigation, and less effective use of research monies. In response, we argue for structural and procedural change to address legacy pathways that automatically privilege science, especially in relation to nature, with broader relevance for other environmental issues. This is not to dismiss or debase science, but to better understand its use and utility, including how facts and values relate.
The Effectiveness of Identifying Primary Gallbladder Adenocarcinoma Utilizing Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound: A Case Report
Authors: Hunt Talisha M. , Waletzko Michelle R. , Knudsen John M. , Atwell Thomas D. , Chupka Nadia M.
Published: June 2021

Gallbladder carcinoma is rare and difficult to detect in the early stages of the disease process, due to lack of symptoms. Sonography is typically the first modality of choice for assessing gallbladder pathology due to its high sensitivity, portability, real-time imaging capability, and non-ionizing technique. Conventional gray-scale and color Doppler sonographic imaging may be ambiguous for diagnosing solid tumors, such as gallbladder carcinoma. In this case, gallbladder carcinoma was definitively diagnosed utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasound, allowing for quick patient treatment options and an optimal surgical outcome.
Sparse Autoencoder-based Multi-head Deep Neural Networks for Machinery Fault Diagnostics with Detection of Novelties
Authors: Yang Zhe , Gjorgjevikj Dejan , Long Jianyu , Zi Yanyang , Zhang Shaohui , Li Chuan
Published: June 2021

Supervised fault diagnosis typically assumes that all the types of machinery failures are known. However, in practice unknown types of defect, i.e., novelties, may occur, whose detection is a challenging task. In this paper, a novel fault diagnostic method is developed for both diagnostics and detection of novelties. To this end, a sparse autoencoder-based multi-head Deep Neural Network (DNN) is presented to jointly learn a shared encoding representation for both unsupervised reconstruction and supervised classification of the monitoring data. The detection of novelties is based on the reconstruction error. Moreover, the computational burden is reduced by directly training the multi-head DNN with rectified linear unit activation function, instead of performing the pre-training and fine-tuning phases required for classical DNNs. The addressed method is applied to a benchmark bearing case study and to experimental data acquired from a delta 3D printer. The results show that its performance is satisfactory both in detection of novelties and fault diagnosis, outperforming other state-of-the-art methods. This research proposes a novel fault diagnostics method which can not only diagnose the known type of defect, but also detect unknown types of defects.
The evolution of hard tick-borne relapsing fever borreliae is correlated with vector species rather than geographical distance
Authors: Nakao Ranna , Kasama Kentaro , Boldbaatar Bazartseren , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Kawabata Hiroki , Toyoda Atsushi , Hayashi Tetsuya , Takano Ai , Maeda Ken
Published: June 2021

Background

Relapsing fever (RF) borreliae are arthropod-borne spirochetes and some of them cause human diseases, which are characterized by relapsing or recurring episodes of fever. Recently, it has been classified into two groups: soft tick-borne RF (STRF) borreliae and hard tick-borne RF (HTRF) borreliae. STRF borreliae include classical RF agents and HTRF borreliae, the latter of which includeB. miyamotoi, a human pathogen recently identified in Eurasia and North America.

Results

In this study, we determined the genome sequences of 16 HTRF borreliae strains: 15B. miyamotoistrains (9 from Hokkaido Island, Japan, 3 from Honshu Island, Japan, and 3 from Mongolia) and aBorreliasp. tHM16w. Chromosomal gene synteny was highly conserved among the HTRF strains sequenced in this study, even though they were isolated from different geographic regions and different tick species. Phylogenetic analysis based on core gene sequences revealed that HTRF and STRF borreliae are clearly distinguishable, with each forming a monophyletic group in the RF borreliae lineage. Moreover, the evolutionary relationships of RF borreliae are consistent with the biological and ecological features of each RF borreliae sublineage and can explain the unique characteristics ofBorrelia anserina. In addition, the pairwise genetic distances between HTRF borreliae strains were well correlated with those of vector species rather than with the geographical distances between strain isolation sites. This result suggests that the genetic diversification of HTRF borreliae is attributed to the speciation of vector ticks and that this relationship might be required for efficient transmission of HTRF borreliae within vector ticks.

Conclusions

The results of the present study, together with those from previous investigations, support the hypothesis that the common ancestor of borreliae was transmitted by hard-bodied ticks and that only STRF borreliae switched to using soft-bodied ticks as a vector, which was followed by the emergence ofBorrelia recurrentis, lice-borne RF borreliae. Our study clarifies the phylogenetic relationships between RF borreliae, and the data obtained will contribute to a better understanding of the evolutionary history of RF borreliae.
De novo genome assembly and analysis unveil biosynthetic and metabolic potentials of Pseudomonas fragi A13BB
Authors: Awolope Opeyemi K. , O’Driscoll Noelle H. , Di Salvo Alberto , Lamb Andrew J.
Published: June 2021

Objectives

The role of rhizosphere microbiome in supporting plant growth under biotic stress is well documented. Rhizobacteria ward off phytopathogens through various mechanisms including antibiosis. We sought to recover novel antibiotic-producing bacterial strains from soil samples collected from the rhizosphere. Pseudomonas fragi A13BB was recovered as part of this effort, and the whole genome was sequenced to facilitate mining for potential antibiotic-encoding biosynthetic gene clusters.

Data description

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of P. fragi A13BB obtained from de novo assembly of Illumina MiSeq and GridION reads. The 4.94 Mb genome consists of a single chromosome with a GC content of 59.40%. Genomic features include 4410 CDSs, 102 RNAs, 3 CRISPR arrays, 3 prophage regions, and 37 predicted genomic islands. Two β-lactone biosynthetic gene clusters were identified; besides, metabolic products of these are known to show antibiotic and/or anticancer properties. A siderophore biosynthetic gene cluster was also identified even though P. fragi is considered a non-siderophore producing pseudomonad. Other gene clusters of broad interest identified include those associated with bioremediation, biocontrol, plant growth promotion, or environmental adaptation. This dataset unveils various un−/underexplored metabolic or biosynthetic potential of P. fragi and provides insight into molecular mechanisms underpinning these attributes.
Clinical Ethics Consultation in Neurology – a case series
Authors: Ilse Benjamin , Alt-Epping Bernd , Günther Albrecht , Liman Jan , Simon Alfred
Published: June 2021

Background

The concept of clinical ethics consultation (CECs) was implemented to provide support in ethical controversies in clinical settings and are offered in at least every second hospital in Germany. Neurological disorders often require complex decision-making. The aims of this study were to determine which situations lead to CEC in neurology and to investigate the influence of the individual patient’s wishes on the recommendation.

Methods

Standardised CEC protocols in the years 2011 to 2017 at the University Hospitals of Goettingen and Jena were retrospectively surveyed. The contents were categorised along existing protocol templates of CEC scenarios and subsequently paraphrased and reduced to significant meanings.

Results

27 CEC scenarios which were facilitated by various professional disciplines were reviewed. Stroke was the most frequent underlying condition. Nearly all patients were not able to consent. Mostly, the relatives acted as representatives or health advocates. In 67 % of cases, a sense of conflict triggered a CEC; in 33 % a sense of uncertainty was the reason for the CEC request. In 21 CEC scenarios, a recommendation was reached in consensus with all parties involved. In 59 % of cases, a decision was made to continue medical therapy. In seven cases, the patient’s wishes led to a limitation of therapy, while in just two cases this decision was made primarily relying on the patient’s best interest. In only 13 % of cases, a valid advance directive led to respective therapeutic consequences.

Conclusions

CEC is feasible for consensus-finding not only in conflicts, but also in situations of therapeutic uncertainty in neurology. There is a special importance of the patient’s wishes in decision-making in neurology. However, only in a few cases were advance directives precise and specific enough to have sufficient and decisive weight in therapeutic decision-making.
A distress-continuum, disorder-threshold model of depression: a mixed-methods, latent class analysis study of slum-dwelling young men in Bangladesh
Authors: Wahid Syed Shabab , Sandberg John , Sarker Malabika , Arafat A. S. M. Easir , Apu Arifur Rahman , Rabbani Atonu , Colón-Ramos Uriyoán , Kohrt Brandon A.
Published: June 2021

Background

Binary categorical approaches to diagnosing depression have been widely criticized due to clinical limitations and potential negative consequences. In place of such categorical models of depression, a ‘staged model’ has recently been proposed to classify populations into four tiers according to severity of symptoms: ‘Wellness;’ ‘Distress;’ ‘Disorder;’ and ‘Refractory.’ However, empirical approaches to deriving this model are limited, especially with populations in low- and middle-income countries.

Methods

A mixed-methods study using latent class analysis (LCA) was conducted to empirically test non-binary models to determine the application of LCA to derive the ‘staged model’ of depression. The study population was 18 to 29-year-old men (n = 824) from an urban slum of Bangladesh, a low resource country in South Asia. Subsequently, qualitative interviews (n = 60) were conducted with members of each latent class to understand experiential differences among class members.

Results

The LCA derived 3 latent classes: (1) Severely distressed (n = 211), (2) Distressed (n = 329), and (3) Wellness (n = 284). Across the classes, some symptoms followed a continuum of severity: ‘levels of strain’, ‘difficulty making decisions’, and ‘inability to overcome difficulties.’ However, more severe symptoms such as ‘anhedonia’, ‘concentration issues’, and ‘inability to face problems’ only emerged in the severely distressed class. Qualitatively, groups were distinguished by severity of tension, a local idiom of distress.

Conclusions

The results indicate that LCA can be a useful empirical tool to inform the ‘staged model’ of depression. In the findings, a subset of distress symptoms was continuously distributed, but other acute symptoms were only present in the class with the highest distress severity. This suggests a distress-continuum, disorder-threshold model of depression, wherein a constellation of impairing symptoms emerge together after exceeding a high level of distress, i.e., a tipping point of tension heralds a host of depression symptoms.
Recombinant laccase rPOXA 1B real-time, accelerated and molecular dynamics stability study
Authors: Ardila-Leal Leidy D. , Monterey-Gutiérrez Pedro A. , Poutou-Piñales Raúl A. , Quevedo-Hidalgo Balkys E. , Galindo Johan F. , Pedroza-Rodríguez Aura M.
Published: June 2021

Background

Laccases (EC 1.10.3.2) are multi-copper oxidoreductases with great biotechnological importance due to their high oxidative potential and utility for removing synthetic dyes, oxidizing phenolic compounds, and degrading pesticides, among others.

Methods

A real-time stability study (RTS) was conducted for a year, by using enzyme concentrates from 3 batches (L1, L3, and L4). For which, five temperatures 243.15, 277.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15 K were assayed. Using RTS data and the Arrhenius equation, we calculated the rPOXA 1B accelerated stability (AS). Molecular dynamics (MD) computational study results were very close to those obtained experimentally at four different temperatures 241, 278, 298, and 314 K.

Results

In the RTS, 101.16, 115.81, 75.23, 46.09, 5.81, and 4.83% of the relative enzyme activity were recovered, at respective assayed temperatures. AS study, showed that rPOXA 1B is stable at 240.98 ± 5.38, 277.40 ± 1.32 or 297.53 ± 3.88 K; with t1/2 values of 230.8, 46.2, and 12.6 months, respectively. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters supported the high stability of rPOXA 1B, with an Ed value of 41.40 KJ mol− 1, a low variation of KM and Vmax, at 240.98 ± 5.38, and 297.53 ± 3.88 K, and ∆G values showing deactivation reaction does not occur. The MD indicates that fluctuations in loop, coils or loops with hydrophilic or intermediate polarity amino acids as well as in some residues of POXA 1B 3D structure, increases with temperature; changing from three fluctuating residues at 278 K to six residues at 298 K, and nine residues at 314 K.

Conclusions

Laccase rPOXA 1B demonstrated experimentally and computationally to be a stable enzyme, with t1/2 of 230.8, 46.2 or 12.6 months, if it is preserved impure without preservatives at temperatures of 240.98 ± 5.38, 277.40 ± 1.32 or 297.53 ± 3.88 K respectively; this study could be of great utility for large scale producers.
A novel miRNA biomarker panel associated with mortality in pediatric patients with ARDS
Authors: Lee Lisa K. , Eghbali Mansoureh , Sapru Anil
Published: June 2021

We identified a novel microRNA biomarker panel consisting of 6 microRNAs predicting mortality in pediatric acute respiratory distress syndrome patients. Each of the identified mRNA have potential mechanistic importance in acute respiratory distress syndrome and may lead to the development of pharmacologic targets.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of biofilm producing clinical coagulase negative staphylococci from Nepal and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern
Authors: Manandhar Sarita , Singh Anjana , Varma Ajit , Pandey Shanti , Shrivastava Neeraj
Published: June 2021

Background

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) survive as commensals of skin, anterior nares and external canals of human and were regarded as non-infectious pathogens. However, they are emerging as a major cause of nosocomial infectious due to their ability to form biofilms and high resistance to several classes of antibiotics. This study examines the biofilm forming abilities of 214 clinical CNS isolates using phenotypic and genotypic methods, and determines their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Methods

A total of 214 clinical isolates collected from different clinical samples were identified as CNS and their antibiotic susceptibility determined by CLSI guidelines. The biofilm forming ability of all isolates was determined by three phenotypic methods; Congo red agar (CRA) method, tube adherence method (TM) and tissue culture plate (TCP) method and by genotypic method for the detection of icaAD genes.

Results

Among all the isolates, S. epidermidis (57.5%) was found the most frequently, followed by S. saprophyticus (18.7%), S. haemolyticus (11.2%), S. hominis (7%), and S. capitis (5.6%). Antibiotic susceptibility pattern demonstrated 91.6% isolates were resistant to penicillin and 66.8% to cefoxitin while 91.1% isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol. Constitutive and inducible clindamycin resistant phenotype as measured by D-test was seen among 28% and 14.5% of isolates respectively. Tissue culture plate method detected biofilm production in 42.1% isolate followed by 31.8% through tube method while 20.1% isolates were found to produce slime in Congo red agar method. The genotypic assay revealed presence of icaA and icaD genes in 19.2% isolates.

Conclusion

The study shows a high prevalence of biofilm formation and inducible clindamycin resistance in CNS isolates, indicating the importance of in-vitro biofilm production test and D-test in routine laboratory diagnostics. Implementation of efficient diagnostic techniques for detection of biofilm production in clinical samples can help manage staphylococcal infections and minimize risks of treatment failures in hospitals.
Diagnostic methods and therapeutic options of uveal melanoma with emphasis on MR imaging—Part II: treatment indications and complications
Authors: Foti Pietro Valerio , Travali Mario , Farina Renato , Palmucci Stefano , Spatola Corrado , Liardo Rocco Luca Emanuele , Milazzotto Roberto , Raffaele Luigi , Salamone Vincenzo , Caltabiano Rosario , Broggi Giuseppe , Puzzo Lidia , Russo Andrea , Reibaldi Michele , Longo Antonio , Vigneri Paolo , Avitabile Teresio , Ettorre Giovani Carlo , Basile Antonio
Published: June 2021

Therapy of uveal melanoma aims to preserve the eye and its function and to avoid metastatic dissemination. The treatment choice is difficult and must keep into account several factors; the therapeutic strategy of uveal melanoma should therefore be personalized, sometimes requiring to combine different treatment techniques. Nowadays globe-sparing radiotherapy techniques are often preferred to enucleation. Plaque brachytherapy, the most commonly used eye-preserving therapy, is suitable for small- and medium-sized uveal melanomas. Proton beam radiotherapy is indicated for tumours with noticeable size, challenging shape and location, but is more expensive and less available than brachytherapy. Enucleation is currently restricted to advanced tumours, uveal melanomas with orbital or optic nerve involvement, blind and painful eyes because of treatment-related complications (neovascular glaucoma, chronic inflammatory processes). The effect of proton beam therapy on neoplastic tissue is related to direct cytotoxic action of the radiations, impairment of neoplastic vascular supply and immunologic response. Complications after radiotherapy are frequent and numerous and mainly related to tumour thickness, radiation dose and distance between the tumour and optic nerve. The purpose of this pictorial review is to provide the radiologists with awareness about diagnostic methods and therapeutic options of uveal melanoma. In the present second section, we discuss the therapeutic management of uveal melanoma, describing the main ocular-conserving radiotherapic techniques. We subsequently present an overview of the effects of radiations on neoplastic tissue. Lastly, we review ocular complications following radiotherapy that should be evaluated by radiologists during follow-up MRI examinations.
Predictors of modern contraceptive usage among sexually active rural women in Ethiopia: A multi-level analysis
Authors: Fenta Setegn Muche , Gebremichael Shewayiref Geremew
Published: June 2021

Background

Ethiopia is one of the Sub-Saharan Africa countries with the lowest modern contraceptive prevalence rate and the highest fertility rate. This study aimed to assess individual and community-level predictors of modern contraceptive use among sexually active rural women in Ethiopia.

Data and methods

A sample of 9450 sexual active rural women aged 15-49 was extracted from the 15, 683 nationally representative samples of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS). Multi-level logistic regression model was considered to identify determinant factors of modern contraceptive use among sexually active rural women in Ethiopia.

Result

The prevalence of modern contraceptive use among respondents was 20% in rural Ethiopia. Injection (66.35%) was the most common type of modern contraceptive use. In the last full model of the multilevel analysis, individual and community-level factors accounted for 86.69% of the variation in the use of modern contraceptive methods. Secondary and above-educated women (AOR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.06, 2.81), having 1-4 living children (AOR = 2.70, 95%CI: 2.07, 3.53), rich wealth status (AOR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.96, 2.60), married women (AOR = 17.31, 95%CI: 10.72, 27.94), having primary educated husband (AOR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.27, 1.67) and being working husband (AOR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.96, 2.60) were significantly positively associated with individual-level factors of the use of modern contraceptive methods. Besides, modern contraceptive use was negatively associated with Muslim women (AOR = 0.29, 95%CI: 0.25, 0.33). Compared to the Tigray region, women living in the Afar, Somali, Harari, and Dire Dawa regions had lower use of modern contraceptive methods. Women who had access to mass media (AOR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.16, 1.57) were more likely to use contraceptives than their counterparts.

Conclusion

The prevalence of modern contraceptive use among rural women has very low. Both individual and community-level factors were significant predictors of modern contraceptive use. Consequently, the government and other stakeholders need to address educational opportunities; creating awareness about modern contraception and valuable counseling would increase modern contraceptive methods utilization.
Individual and community-level determinants of poor tetanus toxoid immunization among pregnant women in Ethiopia using data from 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey; multilevel analysis
Authors: Liyew Alemneh Mekuriaw , Ayalew Hiwotie Getaneh
Published: June 2021

Background

Tetanus is a vaccine-preventable disease that can occur in all populations, with neonates and pregnant women being at the most risk. Ethiopia has the highest maternal and neonatal tetanus morbidity and mortality rates. Besides, only 49% of mothers get vaccinated with adequate tetanus toxoid in Ethiopia which is below the world health organization recommendation. To date, there is limited evidence on the individual and community level determinants of poor tetanus toxoid (TT) immunization. Therefore, this study aimed to assess individual and community-level factors associated with poor TT immunization coverage in Ethiopia.

Method

Secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2016 Ethiopian demographic and health survey. A total of 7043 pregnant women were included in the current study. A multilevel logistic regression model was used to identify individual and community level determinants of poor tetanus toxoid immunization. Finally, the adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was reported.

Results

In the multilevel logistic regression model adjustment, having no Antenatal care visit (AOR = 5.64; 95% CI:2.48,7.30) and having one to three antenatal care visit (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.19–1.82); poor wealth index (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.54); not being exposed to media (AOR = 1.29; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.51); maternal unemployment (AOR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.10, 1.31); rural residence (AOR = 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.72); and high community illiteracy (AOR = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.58) were associated with higher odds of poor tetanus toxoid immunization. Whereas, iron uptake during pregnancy (AOR = 0.59; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.68), was associated with lower odds of poor tetanus toxoid immunization.

Conclusion

In this study tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine utilization was affected by both community and individual-level factors. Therefore, focusing on antenatal care services especially encouraging pregnant women to have at least four visits, consulting women to be exposed to media, improving community literacy and maternal employment will help to minimize TT underutilization.