bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Buffered EGFR signaling regulated by spitz-to-argos expression ratio is a critical factor for patterning the Drosophila eye
Authors: Pasnuri Nikhita , Jaiswal Manish , Ray Krishanu , Mazumder Aprotim
Published: February 2023

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway plays a critical role in regulating tissue patterning.DrosophilaEGFR signaling achieves specificity through multiple ligands and feedback loops to finetune signaling outcomes spatiotemporally. The principalDrosophilaEGF ligand, cleaved Spitz, and the negative feedback regulator, Argos are diffusible and can act both in a cell autonomous and non-autonomous manner. The expression dose of Spitz and Argos early in photoreceptor cell fate determination has been shown to be critical in patterning theDrosophilaeye, but the exact identity of the cells expressing these genes in the larval eye disc has been elusive. Using single molecule RNA Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (smFISH), we reveal an intriguing differential expression ofspitzandargosmRNA in theDrosophilathird instar eye imaginal disc indicative of directional non-autonomous EGFR signaling. By genetically tuning EGFR signaling, we show that rather than absolute levels of expression, the ratio of expression ofspitz-to-argosto be a critical determinant of the final adult eye phenotype. Proximate effects on EGFR signaling in terms of cell cycle and differentiation markers are affected differently in the different perturbations. Proper ommatidial patterning is robust to thresholds around a tightly maintained wildtypespitz-to-argosratio, and breaks down beyond. This provides a powerful instance of developmental buffering against gene expression fluctuations.
miR-148a regulation interferes in inflammatory cytokine and parasitic load in canine leishmaniasis
Authors: Rebech Gabriela Torres , Bragato Jaqueline Poleto , Costa Sidnei Ferro , de Freitas Jéssica Henrique , dos Santos Marilene Oliveira , Soares Matheus Fujimura , Eugênio Flávia de Rezende , dos Santos Paulo Sérgio Patto , de Lima Valéria Marçal Felix
Published: January 2023

Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a severe public health threat. Infected animals mediate transmission of the Leishmania protozoan to humans via the sandfly’s bite during a blood meal. CanL progression depends on the degree of suppression of the immune response, possibly associated with microRNAs (miR), which can modulate mRNA translation into proteins and (consequently) regulate cell function. Increased miR-148a in splenic leukocytes (SL) of dogs with CanL was observed in previous studies, and in silico analysis, identified possible pathways involved in immune response regulation that are affected by this miR. Therefore, we evaluated the involvement of miR-148a in the regulation of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12, IL-1β, iNOS, MHCII, CD80, CD3, T-bet, and GATA-3 transcription factors and their relationship with parasite load in SL of dogs with CanL. Splenic leukocytes obtained from healthy and diseased dogs were transfected with miR-148a mimic and inhibitor oligonucleotides. After 48 hours, expression levels of MHCII, CD80, iNOS, CD3, T-bet, and GATA-3 were evaluated by flow cytometry, and concentrations of TNF-α, IL-12, IL-6, and IL-1β were measured in culture supernatants by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Transfection of SL with miR-148a mimics decreased iNOS levels in cells and TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-12 in the supernatants of cultured SL from CanL dogs. Interestingly, transfection with miR-148a inhibitor decreased parasite load in SL cells. These results suggest a direct or not regulatory role of this miR in the immune response to Leishmania infantum infection. We conclude that miR-148a can modulate immune responses by regulating inflammatory cytokines during CanL. Our results contribute to understanding the complex host/parasite interaction in CanL and could assist the development of treatments.
Partially Recursively Induced Structured Moderation (PRISM) for modeling racial differences in endometrial cancer survival
Authors: Rao J. Sunil , Kobetz Erin , Yu Huilin , Baeker-Bispo Jordan , Bailey Zinzi
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Health disparities are driven by a complex interplay of determinants operating across multiple levels of influence. However, while recognized conceptually, much disparities research fails to capture this inherent complexity in study focus and/or design; little of such work accounts for the interplay across the multiple levels of influence from structural (contextual) to biological or clinical. We developed a novel modeling framework that addresses these challenges and provides new insights.

Methods

We used data from the Florida Cancer Data System on endometrial cancer patients and geocoded-derived social determinants of health to demonstrate the applicability of a new modeling paradigm we term PRISM regression. PRISM is a new highly interpretable tree-based modeling framework that allows for automatic discovery of potentially non-linear hierarchical interactions between health determinants at multiple levels and differences in survival outcomes between groups of interest, including through a new specific area-level disparity estimate (SPADE) incorporating these multilevel influences.

Results

PRISM demonstrates that hierarchical influences on racial disparity in endometrial cancer survival appear to be statistically relevant and that these better predict survival differences than only using individual level determinants. The interpretability of the models allows more careful inspection of the nature of these hierarchical effects on disparity. Additionally, SPADE estimates show distinct geographical patterns across census tracts in Florida.

Conclusion

PRISM can provide a powerful new modeling framework with which to better understand racial disparities in cancer survival.
Safety and efficacy of pulmonary physiotherapy in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (PPTCOVID study): A prospective, randomised, single-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Javaherian Mohammad , Shadmehr Azadeh , Keshtkar Abbasali , Beigmohammadi Mohammad Taghi , Dabbaghipour Narges , Syed Aabis , Attarbashi Moghadam Behrouz
Published: January 2023

Background

Pulmonary physiotherapy (PPT) is an important treatment in the management of patients with different types of pulmonary disorders. We aimed to evaluate safety and efficacy of PPT in hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods

In this randomised, single-blind, controlled trial, we enrolled hospitalized, non-intubated patients (18 to 75 years with oxygen saturation (Spo2) in free-air breathing ≤90%) with COVID-19 pneumonia at a referral hospital. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive PPT (six sessions PPT with breathing exercises and airway clearance techniques) or basic care. The primary outcomes were venous blood O2 (pO2) and CO2 (pCO2) pressures, Spo2, and three-minute walking test (3MWT) that were assessed before and end of sixth session. Secondary outcomes included level of dyspnea, venous blood PH, one-month mortality, three-month mortality and short form-36 (SF-36) after one and three months. The assessor was blinded to the assignment. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04357340).

Findings

In April-May 2020, 40 participants were randomly assigned to PPT or basic care groups. While at the end of intervention, pO2 (adjusted mean difference to baseline measure (AMD) 6.43 mmHg [95%CI 2.8, 10.07], P<0.01), Spo2 (AMD 4.43% [95%CI 2.04, 6.83], P = 0.0011), and 3MTW (AMD 91.44 m [95%CI 68.88, 113.99], P<0.01) were higher in PPT group and basic care group, pCO2 was not improved (AMD -2.1 mmHg [95%CI-6.36, 2.21], P = 0.33). Based on the logistic model adjusted to baseline Spo2, the risks of mortality were reduced 81% ([95%CI: 97% reduction to 30% increase], P = .09) and 84% ([95%CI 74% reduction to 5% increase], P = .06) at one-month and three-month, respectively. There were no significant differences in most SF-36 domains scores after one and three months. No serious adverse event was observed during PPT sessions.

Conclusion

Early PPT can be considered a safe and relatively effective therapeutic choice for patients with severe COVID-19.
Design and validation of equations for weight estimation in adolescents
Authors: Coracini Daniel Meyer , Detregiachi Cláudia Rucco Penteado , Barbalho Sandra Maria , Teixeira Daniel De Bortoli
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Measuring weight is difficult to be carried out in bedridden people, with physical deformity or in emergency units. Under these circumstances, one option is to estimate the weight.

Objectives

The aim of this study is to propose and validate equations for estimating the weight of Brazilian adolescents based on anthropometric variables related to body weight.

Methods

The study was developed based on a database created from data collection of a primary project, which had information from 662 Brazilian adolescents (10 to 19 years old). Based on the variables sex, age (days), weight (kg), height (m) and neck circumference (NC) (cm), equations for estimating weight of adolescents were proposed. The formulas were proposed after performing multiple linear regression models and subsequently tested and validated using appropriate statistical tests, considering 99% confidence.

Results

Two formulas were generated, the “Rucco Formulas—Adolescents”, one for girls: -131.63091 + (0.00209 × A) + (37.57813 × H) + (3.71482 x NC) and another for boys: - 15.2854 + (-0.00414 × A)+ (14.30315 × H2)+ (0.04888 x NC2). Statistical test (R2) indicated that the proposed formulas are suitable for estimating weight. Low values of REQM and high values of CCI (> 0.8) also reinforce the quality of the proposed formulas.

Conclusions

The current weight of adolescents can be estimated with adequate accuracy and precision using sex-specific “Rucco Formulas—Adolescents”, generated from regression models using only three predictor variables.
Do non-pharmaceutical policies in response to COVID-19 affect stock performance? Evidence from Malaysia stock market return and volatility
Authors: Rowland Racquel , Chia Ricky Chee Jiun , Liew Venus Khim-Sen
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the impact of non-pharmaceutical intervention by government on stock market return as well as volatility. Using daily Malaysian equity data from January 28, 2020 to May 31, 2022, the regression analysis with bootstrapping technique reveals that the government’s response in combating the deadly virus through Stringency index has shown a positive direct effect on both stock market returns and volatility, and indirect negative effect on stock market returns. The study revealed that international travel restriction and cancelling public events are the major contributors to the growth of volatility when estimated for Malaysia stock market index. On the one hand, heterogenous impact is expected from the perspective of different sectors when the individual social distancing measures were taken into account in determining stock return and volatility. Apart from that, the robustness check for the main findings remains intact in majority of the regression models after incorporating daily COVID-19 death rate, log (daily vaccination) and day-of-the-week effect as additional control variable in alternative.
Regional differences and threshold effects of labor transfer affecting the technical efficiency of China’s agricultural industry: A case study of the apple industry
Authors: Sun Yu , Du Ruijuan , Liu Xinmin , Xu Xiumei
Published: February 2023

Apples, as a typical agricultural product with high added value, play a significant role in increasing farmers’ income and promoting regional economic growth. They have become one of the main ways for farmers to develop agricultural and sideline products in China’s Loess Plateau and Bohai Rim region. Based on panel data for provinces from 2007 to 2020, this study used stochastic frontier analysis to calculate the technical efficiency of apple production in China’s major apple-producing areas and then introduced urbanization rate as the threshold variable. Based on the quantity, quality, and structure of the rural labor force, the threshold model was used to empirically analyze the effect of labor transfer at different stages of urbanization on industrial technical efficiency in the main apple-producing areas. The results showed that labor transfer had an obvious negative effect on apple production. The labor transfer at the national level has had an obvious negative impact on the output of the apple industry, and the impact of labor transfer on the technical efficiency of China’s apple industry is significantly different; that is, the impact of labor outflow on the technical efficiency of apple production is different in different regions. In some areas, the technical efficiency of production in the main apple-producing areas can be significantly improved. Finally, the proportion of the labor force showed significant differences in its effect on technical efficiency in different stages of urbanization.
Efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in children with cholestasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Liang , Li Siyu , Chen Jingjing , Zhu Yu , Lan Ke , Zeng Linan , Jiang Xuehua , Zhang Lingli
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the main therapeutic drug for cholestasis, but its use in children is controversial. We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ursodeoxycholic acid in children with cholestasis.

Methods

We searched Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP from the establishment of databases to July 2022. Eligible studies included Chinese or English randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy and safety of no UDCA (placebo or blank control) and UDCA in children with cholestasis. This study had been registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022354052).

Results

A total of 32 RCTs proved eligible, which included 2153 patients. The results of meta-analysis showed that UDCA could improve symptoms of children with cholestasis (risk ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.29; moderate quality of evidence), and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and total bile acid (low quality of evidence). For some children with specific cholestasis, UDCA could also effectively drop serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis) and γ-glutamyl transferase (infantile hepatitis syndrome, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis). The most common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of UDCA in children were gastrointestinal adverse reactions, with an incidence of 10.63% (67/630). There was no significant difference in the incidence of ADRs between UDCA and placebo/blank control groups (risk difference 0.03, 95%CI -0.01 to 0.06; moderate quality of evidence), and among children taking different UDCA doses (P = 0.27).

Conclusion

The available short-term evidence showed that UDCA was effective and safe for children with cholestasis. Clinicians should use UDCA with caution (start with a low dose) until the long-term effect is further explored in future larger RCTs.
Separating art from the artist: The effect of negative affective knowledge on ERPs and aesthetic experience
Authors: Kaube Hannah , Eiserbeck Anna , Abdel Rahman Rasha
Published: January 2023

Some artists do terrible things. But does knowing something bad about an artist affect the way we perceive the work? Despite increased public interest, this question has yet to be addressed empirically. In this pre-registered study, we used aesthetic ratings and electrophysiological brain responses to shed light on the issue. We found that paintings of artists associated with negative-social biographical knowledge were liked less and found more arousing than paintings of artists associated with neutral information. Such paintings also elicited an enhanced brain response associated with fast and reflexive processing of emotional stimuli (early posterior negativity; EPN). Evaluations of quality and later, more controlled brain responses (late positive potential; LPP) were not affected. Reflecting the complexity of aesthetic experience, this pattern of results became more differentiated when the visual relatedness between the contents of the painting and the artist-related information was taken into account. Overall, our findings suggest that emotional aspects involved in art reception are not spontaneously separated from the artist, whilst evaluative judgments and more elaborate processing may be.
Underwater low-light enhancement network based on bright channel prior and attention mechanism
Authors: Zheng Zhangjing , Huang Xixia , Wang Le
Published: February 2023

At present, there are some problems in underwater low light image, such as low contrast, blurred details, color distortion. In the process of low illumination image enhancement, there are often problems such as artifacts, loss of edge details and noise amplification in the enhanced image. In this paper, we propose an underwater low-light enhancement algorithm based on U-shaped generative adversarial network, combined with bright channel prior and attention mechanism, to address the problems. For the problems of uneven edges and loss of details that occurred in traditional enhanced images, we propose a two-channel fusion technique for the input channel. Aiming at the problems of brightness, texture and color distortion in enhanced images, we propose a feature extraction technique based on the attention mechanism. For the problems of noise in enhanced output images, we propose a multi-loss function to constrain the network. The method has a wide range of applications in underwater scenes with large depth. This method can be used for target detection or biological species identification in underwater low light environment. Through the enhancement experiment of underwater low light image, the proposed method effectively solves the problems of low contrast, blurred details, color distortion, etc. of underwater low light image. Finally, we performed extensive comparison experiments and completed ablation experiments on the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method is optimal in human visual experience and underwater image quality evaluation index.
Inhibition of mycobacteria proliferation in macrophages by low cisplatin concentration through phosphorylated p53-related apoptosis pathway
Authors: Bao Jiajia , He Yonglin , Yang Chun , Lu Nan , Li Anlong , Gao Sijia , Hosyanto Felycia Fernanda , Tang Jialing , Si Junzhuo , Tang Xia , Fu Huichao , Xu Lei
Published: January 2023

Background

Drug resistance is a prominent problem in the treatment of tuberculosis, so it is urgent to develop new anti- tuberculosis drugs. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of cisplatin (DDP) on intracellular Mycobacterium smegmatis to tap the therapeutic potential of DDP in mycobacterial infection.

Results

Macrophages infected with Mycobacterium smegmatis were treated with DDP alone or combined with isoniazid or rifampicin. The results showed that the bacterial count in macrophages decreased significantly after DDP (≤ 6 μg/mL) treatment. When isoniazid or rifampicin was combined with DDP, the number of intracellular mycobacteria was also significantly lower than that of isoniazid or rifampicin alone. Apoptosis of infected cells increased after 24 h of DDP treatment, as shown by flow cytometry and transmission electron microscopy detection. Transcriptome sequencing showed that there were 1161 upregulated and 645 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the control group and DDP treatment group. A Trp53-centered protein interaction network was found based on the top 100 significant DEGs through STRING and Cytoscape software. The expression of phosphorylated p53, Bax, JAK, p38 MAPK and PI3K increased after DDP treatment, as shown by Western blot analysis. Inhibitors of JAK, PI3K or p38 MAPK inhibited the increase in cell apoptosis and the reduction in the intracellular bacterial count induced by DDP. The p53 promoter Kevetrin hydrochloride scavenges intracellular mycobacteria. If combined with DDP, Kevetrin hydrochloride could increase the effect of DDP on the elimination of intracellular mycobacteria. In conclusion, DDP at low concentrations could activate the JAK, p38 MAPK and PI3K pathways in infected macrophages, promote the phosphorylation of p53 protein, and increase the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, leading to cell apoptosis, thus eliminating intracellular bacteria and reducing the spread of mycobacteria.

Conclusion

DDP may be a new host-directed therapy for tuberculosis treatment, as well as the p53 promoter Kevetrin hydrochloride.
Variation of sensitivity of Trypanosoma evansi isolates from Isiolo and Marsabit counties of Kenya to locally available trypanocidal drugs
Authors: Mdachi Raymond E. , Ogolla Kennedy O. , Auma Joanna E. , Wamwiri Florence N. , Kurgat Richard K. , Wanjala Kennedy B. , Mugunieri Lawrence G. , Alusi Phylis M. , Chemuliti Judith K. , Mukiria Phoebe W. , Okoth Sylvance O.
Published: February 2023

Trypanocidal resistance is a major cause of treatment failure. This study evaluated the sensitivity of Trypanosoma evansi field isolates collected from Marsabit and Isiolo counties, Kenya. A total of 2,750 camels were screened using parasitological tests for trypanosomes. Of the screened camels, 113 tested positive from which 40 T. evansi isolates were tested using the single dose mice sensitivity test. Five treatment groups each comprising of 6 mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 1x105 trypanosomes of each isolate and treated 24 hours later with isometamidium chloride at 1 mg/kg, homidium chloride at 1mg/kg, diminazene aceturate at 20 mg/kg and quinapyramine sulphate & chloride at 1 mg/kg. The fifth group was left untreated (positive control). The mice were monitored daily for 60 days. A survey on camel owners’ practices that influence development of resistance to trypanocidal drugs was then conducted. Results indicated presence of drug resistance in all the 7 study sites that had infected camels. Seven of the isolates tested were resistant to diminazene aceturate whereas, 28, 33 and 34 were resistant to isometamidium chloride, quinapyramine sulphate & chloride and homidium chloride, respectively. Seven (17.5%) isolates of the 40 tested were sensitive to all 4 drugs, whereas, 7.5%, 10%,55% and 10% were resistant to 1,2,3 and 4 drugs, respectively. The prevalence of multiple drug resistance was 75%. Survey data indicated that camel management practices influenced the prevalence and degree of drug resistance. In conclusion, the multiple drug resistance observed in the two counties may not be an indication of total trypanocidal drug failure. Judicious treatment of confirmed trypanosomiasis cases with correct dosage would still be effective in controlling the disease since the observed resistance was at the population and not clonal level. However, integrated control of the disease and the vectors using available alternative methods is recommended to reduce drug use.
Classification of deep vein thrombosis stages using convolutional neural network of electromyogram with vibrotactile stimulation toward developing an early diagnostic tool: A preliminary study on a pig model
Authors: Kang Jong Woo , Kim Keun-Tae , Park Jong Woong , Lee Song Joo
Published: February 2023

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can lead to life-threatening disorders; however, it can only be recognized after its symptom appear. This study proposed a novel method that can detect the early stage of DVT using electromyography (EMG) signals with vibration stimuli using the convolutional neural networks (CNN) algorithm. The feasibility of the method was tested with eight legs before and after the surgical induction of DVT at nine-time points. Furthermore, perfusion pressure (PP), intracompartmental pressure (IP), and shear elastic modulus (SEM) of the tibialis anterior were also collected. In the proposed method, principal component analysis (PCA) and CNN were used to analyze the EMG data and classify it before and after the DVT stages. The cross-validation was performed in two strategies. One is for each leg and the other is the leave-one-leg-out (LOLO), test without any predicted information, for considering the practical diagnostic tool. The results showed that PCA-CNN can classify before and after DVT stages with an average accuracy of 100% (each leg) and 68.4±20.5% (LOLO). Moreover, all-time points (before induction of DVT and eight-time points after DVT) were classified with an average accuracy of 72.0±11.9% which is substantially higher accuracy than the chance levels (11% for 9-class classification). Based on the experimental results in the pig model, the proposed CNN-based method can classify the before- and after-DVT stages with high accuracy. The experimental results can provide a basis for further developing an early diagnostic tool for DVT using only EMG signals with vibration stimuli.
Factors that influence STEM faculty use of evidence-based instructional practices: An ecological model
Authors: Sansom Rebecca L. , Winters Desiree M. , St. Clair Bryn E. , West Richard E. , Jensen Jamie L.
Published: January 2023

Traditional teaching practices in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses have failed to support student success, causing many students to leave STEM fields and disproportionately affecting women and students of color. Although much is known about effective STEM teaching practices, many faculty continue to adhere to traditional methods, such as lecture. In this study, we investigated the factors that affect STEM faculty members’ instructional decisions about evidence-based instructional practices (EBIPs). We performed a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with faculty members from the Colleges of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering who took part in a professional development program to support the use of EBIPs by STEM faculty at the university. We used an ecological model to guide our investigation and frame the results. Faculty identified a variety of personal, social, and contextual factors that influenced their instructional decision-making. Personal factors included attitudes, beliefs, and self-efficacy. Social factors included the influence of students, colleagues, and administration. Contextual factors included resources, time, and student characteristics. These factors interact with each other in meaningful ways that highlight the hyper-local social contexts that exist within departments and sub-department cultures, the importance of positive feedback from students and colleagues when implementing EBIPs, and the need for support from the administration for faculty who are in the process of changing their teaching.
Pneumococcal capsule expression is controlled through a conserved, distal cis-regulatory element during infection
Authors: Glanville David G. , Gazioglu Ozcan , Marra Michela , Tokars Valerie L. , Kushnir Tatyana , Habtom Medhanie , Croucher Nicholas J. , Nebenzahl Yaffa Mizrachi , Mondragón Alfonso , Yesilkaya Hasan , Ulijasz Andrew T.
Published: January 2023

Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is the major cause of bacterial pneumonia in the US and worldwide. Studies have shown that the differing chemical make-up between serotypes of its most important virulence factor, the capsule, can dictate disease severity. Here we demonstrate that control of capsule synthesis is also critical for infection and facilitated by two broadly conserved transcription factors, SpxR and CpsR, through a distal cis-regulatory element we name the 37-CE. Strikingly, changing only three nucleotides within this sequence is sufficient to render pneumococcus avirulent. Using in vivo and in vitro approaches, we present a model where SpxR interacts as a unique trimeric quaternary structure with the 37-CE to enable capsule repression in the airways. Considering its dramatic effect on infection, variation of the 37-CE between serotypes suggests this molecular switch could be a critical contributing factor to this pathogen’s serotype-specific disease outcomes.
Developing Wolbachia-based disease interventions for an extreme environment
Authors: Ross Perran A. , Elfekih Samia , Collier Sophie , Klein Melissa J. , Lee Su Shyan , Dunn Michael , Jackson Sarah , Zhang Yexin , Axford Jason K. , Gu Xinyue , Home Jessica L. , Nassar Majed S. , Paradkar Prasad N. , Tawfik Essam A. , Jiggins Francis M. , Almalik Abdulaziz M. , Al-Fageeh Mohamed B. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: January 2023

Aedes aegyptimosquitoes carrying self-spreading, virus-blockingWolbachiabacteria are being deployed to suppress dengue transmission. However, there are challenges in applying this technology in extreme environments. We introduced twoWolbachiastrains intoAe.aegyptifrom Saudi Arabia for a release program in the hot coastal city of Jeddah.Wolbachiareduced infection and dissemination of dengue virus (DENV2) in Saudi Arabian mosquitoes and showed complete maternal transmission and cytoplasmic incompatibility.Wolbachiareduced egg hatch under a range of environmental conditions, with theWolbachiastrains showing differential thermal stability.Wolbachiaeffects were similar across mosquito genetic backgrounds but we found evidence of local adaptation, with Saudi Arabian mosquitoes having lower egg viability but higher adult desiccation tolerance than Australian mosquitoes. Genetic background effects will influenceWolbachiainvasion dynamics, reinforcing the need to use local genotypes for mosquito release programs, particularly in extreme environments like Jeddah. Our comprehensive characterization ofWolbachiastrains provides a foundation forWolbachia-based disease interventions in harsh climates.
Reviews
Authors: Kelso Tony , Casey Cheryl A. , Keshishian Flora
Published: January 2023

De Zengotita, Thomas. Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your World and the Way You Live in It. New York: Bloomsbury, 2005. 291 pp. Cloth $22.95, ISBN 1-58234-357-8, Paper $14.95, ISBN 1-59691-032-1. Mitchell, Jolyon P. and Sophia Marriage, eds. Mediating Religion: Conversations
in Media, Religion and Culture. London: T. & T. Clark, 2003. 407 pp. Cloth $130, ISBN 0-567-08867-7. Paper $49.95, ISBN 0-567-08807-3. Johnson, Steven. Everything Bad is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter. New York: Riverhead Books,
2005. 256 pp. Cloth $23.95, ISBN 1-57322-307-7. Paper $14.00, ISBN 1-59448-194-6.
Fandom, homes and families: Home as an overlooked site of fannish practice
Authors: Duncan Catherine
Published: January 2023

In this article I argue that the home is an overlooked site of fannish practice and the corollary that fan practices can be important to the place-making activities of domestic and familial life. Presented here are examples from a study of South African fans of global popular culture that centres both the place and the idea of home as a meaningful point of entry. In the article I offer four ways of thinking about fandom as a quotidian place-making activity: the ways that the home is coded and cultivated as specifically fannish through collection and display; the home as the site of much of the free and precarious labour that drives so many fandoms; the home as a source of cultural reproduction through intergenerational fandom as well as the gendered pleasures and consolations of fandom in the family; and, lastly, the home as a site of contested moral economies.
Fake Geek Girls: Fandom, Gender, and the Convergence Culture Industry, Suzanne Scott (2019)
Authors: Boyle Amy
Published: January 2023

Review of: Fake Geek Girls: Fandom, Gender, and the Convergence Culture Industry, Suzanne Scott (2019)

New York: New York University Press, 302 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-47987-957-1, p/bk, $30.00
Towards sustainable port management: Comparative evidence from Italy, UAE and India
Authors: Gore Amol
Published: January 2023

As role of ports is changing rapidly in global supply chains and transport networks, and sixth-generation ports are evolving on the threshold of the fourth industrial revolution, the issue of sustainable port management has become crucial. Consequently, the Port Authority and policy-makers are under increasing pressure from all stakeholders whether business, governmental or societal, to adopt more mature sustainability theories and models that provide assurance for effective implementation and ease in practice for sustainability measures in ports. Apparently, such developments in port sustainability vary across countries in the realm of usual competition and cooperation dynamics of ports. This article examines the directives and efficacies of sustainability initiatives at three major ports located in three different countries. By utilizing a comparative case study methodology grounded in existing theory, this research aims to understand the success factors, differences and trends in sustainable port management. Additionally, managerial implications are discussed while tracing a pattern along with the empirical results.
L’Impero in Italia nell’epoca di Carlo VI
Authors: Cremonini Cinzia
Published: January 2023

Se estudian las relaciones entre algunos territorios italianos ligados por vínculos de vasallaje al Sacro Imperio Romano Germánico y el papel mediador desempeñado por España durante el período 1556-1700. La discusión busca aclarar los elementos de continuidad y los cambios introducidos durante de la Guerra de Sucesión Española y después con el reinado de Carlos VI.
cuestión de fraude y supervivencia
Authors: García Ríos José María
Published: January 2023

A lo largo de este trabajo intentaremos ofrecer unas breves pinceladas acerca de la manipulación genealógica desarrollada por las familias de origen judeoconverso asentadas en la ciudad de Baza (Reino de Granada); planteando un análisis crítico y riguroso de la tratadística y las historias ciudadanas. Un recurso de legitimación basado en el fraude, también en la supervivencia, verdaderamente efectivo para los descendientes de cristianos nuevos a la hora de culminar sus procesos de ascenso social.
Nuevos horizontes interpretativos de los verracos. Análisis y estudio del verraco geminado de El Gordo (Cáceres)
Authors: Gordón Baeza Juan José , Pérez García Pedro Pablo , Yanguas Jiménez Noelia , Villa González Ángel José , Gamo Pazos Emilio
Published: February 2023

Este artículo expone los resultados del análisis y estudio de una escultura zoomorfa geminada recuperada en el mes de agosto de 2021 en la zona inundable del embalse de Valdecañas, El Gordo, Cáceres. Se trata del segundo verraco geminado hallado en la Península Ibérica y el único documentado que podría representar una pareja de suidos macho y hembra. El examen morfológico y comparativo de la pieza, el análisis litológico del granito empleado, el estudio del paisaje –en clave ambiental, socioeconómica y espacial– donde se halló y la revisión bibliográfica de la escultura zoomorfa vetona aportan nuevos datos de interés que invitan a reflexionar sobre algunos de los planteamientos asentados por la historiografía respecto a este fenómeno escultórico, tales como la presencia de ejemplares de sexo femenino entre el amplio elenco de figuras, la diferenciación entre individuos salvajes y domesticados a partir de determinados rasgos fenotípicos y la interpretación de su significado.
Arquitectura defensiva y doméstica del castro del Alto de La Garma (Cantabria)
Authors: Bolado del Castillo Rafael , Arias Cabal Pablo , Ontañón Peredo Roberto , Cepeda Ocampo Juan José , Pereda Sáiz Esteban
Published: February 2023

El castro del Alto de La Garma, en Omoño, en Ribamontán al Monte, es un pequeño recinto fortificado de la Primera Edad del Hierro situado en la zona costera de Cantabria. Las excavaciones realizadas han permitido documentar una ocupación en dos fases. La primera, que se enmarca en la Edad del Hierro i, cuenta con una muralla defensiva construida en terrazas y viviendas circulares, cuya cronología puede situarse entre finales del s. VIII a. C. y finales del s. VI a. C. La segunda fase, tras una centuria de abandono, se fecha entre el final del s. V y el IV a. C., se caracteriza por la construcción de una muralla de doble careado. Algunos materiales arqueológicos y la datación absoluta abren la posibilidad de que esta fortificación, tras un nuevo abandono, hubiera sido utilizada durante la Segunda Edad del Hierro o durante la etapa romana.
En este artículo se analizan sus ocupaciones a partir del estudio de la arquitectura defensiva y doméstica, poniéndose en relación con otros yacimientos de la Edad del Hierro de la región cantábrica.
Pinturas y grabados rupestres paleolíticos de la cueva de La Llosa (Obregón de Villaescusa, Cantabria). Un caso extremo de deterioro
Authors: González Sainz César , Cacho Toca Roberto , Gálvez Lavín Nerea
Published: February 2023

Este trabajo aborda un análisis de las manifestaciones parietales de la cueva de La Llosa, y una discusión sobre su integración en el conjunto del arte rupestre paleolítico de la cornisa cantábrica. Se apoya en una corta campaña de documentación que realizamos en 1997, en una cueva ya muy degradada y alterada, y con unas manifestaciones parietales de evaluación complicada por su deficiente conservación. La Llosa es un conjunto de una cierta profundidad temporal, con al menos dos fases decorativas. La más antigua es una composición de signos cuadriláteros pintados en rojo, y otros motivos del mismo color, en la actualidad muy degradados. En un momento posterior se realizó una amplia composición de grabados no figurativos, entre los que destaca un esbozo de cabeza de cierva integrable entre las series con estriado en barbilla y pecho de otros conjuntos parietales cercanos, que cabe situar entre unos 17 y 14 ka bp por sus paralelos mobiliares y dataciones asociadas. El conjunto de La Llosa es pues de pequeño tamaño y muy alterado y degradado, pero bien expresivo, por su temática y convenciones técnicas y estilísticas, de los momentos en que las poblaciones del centro de la región cantábrica desarrollaron un arte de más fuerte personalidad, aunque siempre dentro del contexto artístico del so europeo.
A propósito de un colgante antropomorfo en contexto altomedieval de La Alcudia de Elche (Alicante)
Authors: Amorós-Ruiz Victoria , Doménech-Belda Carolina , Sala-Sellés Feliciana
Published: February 2023

Entre los materiales exhumados en los trabajos arqueológicos recientes en el yacimiento de La Alcudia de Elche, Alicante, se encuentra una figurilla antropomorfa labrada en hueso. Procede de un estrato formado en época altomedieval que contenía materiales de fases anteriores. El desconocimiento de este tipo de figuras y la complejidad estratigráfica del yacimiento llevó a la búsqueda de paralelos formales que permitieran enmarcar el origen de esta pieza. En un primer momento, y a partir de la tradición bibliográfica del sitio, se comparó con otras de origen púnico, ampliándose después la búsqueda a otras cronologías. A través del trabajo con paralelos y atendiendo solo a las características formales se ha localizado un buen número de figuras, pero estas presentan una amplia cronología y diversas localizaciones geográficas y, en algunos casos, su contextualización estratigráfica es inexistente. Todos estos elementos nos permiten reflexionar sobre la importancia del contexto como herramienta de datación, en contraposición a formas más clásicas de análisis de los objetos arqueológicos, donde las características formales son el elemento central de los trabajos.
Aditivos alimentarios adicionados en alimentos envasados o enlatados en México ¿información confiable?
Authors: Carbajal-Sánchez Jocelyn Astrid , Moreno-Pérez Pablo Antonio
Published: February 2023

Introducción: Los aditivos alimentarios (AA) son ingredientes que se agregan a los alimentos para modificar sus características físicas y químicas. Aproximadamente 1000 AA se utilizan bajo la denominación “Generalmente Reconocido como seguro” sin la aprobación de la Administración de Drogas y Alimentos de los Estados Unidos. Se encuentra evidencia de que algunos AA pueden ser potencialmente tóxicos para la salud. El responsable de regular los AA a nivel mundial es la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Agricultura y la Alimentación y la Organización Mundial de la Salud, a través de la Comisión del Codex alimentarius. Sin embargo, en México no se encuentran estudios sobre la toxicidad de AA en la población, ante la imposibilidad de estimar su consumo tomando como referente la “Ingesta Diaria Admisible” (IDA). Objetivo: Identificar la información de la concentración de diversos AA en las etiquetas de los productos alimenticios en México.
Métodos: Se realizó estudio transversal descriptivo, se seleccionaron alimentos envasados o enlatados (AEE), disponibles en cadenas de tiendas de autoservicio líderes de ventas en México, en 10 estados de la república mexicana (Baja California, Campeche, Guadalajara, México, Monterrey, Querétaro, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Veracruz y Yucatán). Los criterios de selección de los AEE fueron: a) que se encontraran disponibles simultáneamente a la venta a nivel nacional en al menos dos de tres tiendas de autoservicio, b) basados en la información disponible en el etiquetado nutricional, que mencionara los AA adicionados, comúnmente utilizado en múltiples AEE.
Resultados: Se encontraron en promedio 900 AEE que no cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Más de 120 AEE mencionan el AA adicionado (˃ 98%), pero solo 2 AEE mencionan la concentración (<1.5%).
Conclusiones: La carencia de información de la concentración de los AA adicionados a los AEE, no permite tomar como referente la IDA en la ingestión de AA en la población mexicana.
Application of the Latest Advances in Evidence-Based Medicine in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Authors: Kowdley Kris V. , Bowlus Christopher L. , Levy Cynthia , Mayo Marlyn J. , Pratt Daniel S. , Vuppalanchi Raj , Younossi Zobair M.
Published: February 2023

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic, cholestatic, autoimmune liver disease that can progress to end-stage liver disease and its complications. A previous expert review panel collaborated on a consensus document for gastroenterologists and other healthcare professionals regarding the care of patients with PBC. Subsequently, there have been several recent important developments in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients with PBC. These include updates to prognostic models on risk stratification, new noninvasive tools for staging of disease, updates to the appropriate use of and long-term treatment results with obeticholic acid as a second-line treatment, the emerging therapeutic role of fibrates, and the advancement of investigational agents for managing PBC. In this updated expert consensus document, we provide updates on staging, the use of noninvasive prognostic tools, and a treatment algorithm to provide evidence-based and practical tools for clinicians who manage PBC, with the ultimate goal to improve the long-term outcomes for patients with this chronic liver disease.
Factors Associated With Placebo Treatment Response in Functional Dyspepsia Clinical Trials
Authors: Jones Michael P. , Guthrie-Lyons Liam , Sato Yuri A. , Talley Nicholas J.
Published: February 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Controlling for potential placebo effects is an important aspect of gaining an accurate estimate of how much the therapy alone changes patient symptoms or other end points. When the placebo effect is large, this can lead to only a small fraction of changes seen in the active therapy group being attributed to the therapy itself. This problem has been well studied in some disorders of brain-gut interaction but not in functional dyspepsia where placebo response rates of 40% and higher have been reported. Understanding risk factors for placebo response might lead to changes in trial design that could reduce the magnitude of the problem. This study sought to identify risk factors for the placebo effect in a functional dyspepsia clinical trial with a longer-term aim of suggesting trial design changes that might minimize the problem.

METHODS:

A secondary analysis of the clinical trial data was undertaken using 2 arms deemed to involve placebo therapy. Potential predictors were drawn from a wide range of patient characteristics including psychological, clinical, and physiological features.

RESULTS:

Predictors of a stronger placebo effect on the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale included higher functional dyspepsia symptom burden at baseline (b = −0.101), coexisting irritable bowel syndrome (b = −0.436), and higher scores on the Nepean Dyspepsia Index eat/drink domain (−0.005). Baseline symptom burden and coexisting irritable bowel syndrome were found to be independent placebo predictors, explaining 13% of the variance in change in gastrointestinal symptom rating scale. Anxiety, childhood sexual abuse, sleep amount, and frequent abdominal pain were also found to be predictors of change in individual symptom scores.

DISCUSSION:

The findings of this study yield actionable insights into trial methodology that may help to reduce the magnitude of the placebo effect in future functional dyspepsia treatment trials.
The Short-Term Efficacy of Bifidobacterium Quadruple Viable Tablet in Patients With Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Potentially Mediated by Metabolism Rather Than Diversity Regulation
Authors: Bai Tao , Xu Zhiyue , Xia Peijun , Feng Yichao , Liu Bing , Liu Hongling , Chen Yunwang , Yan Guangjun , Lv Bin , Yan Zaihong , Dai Ning , Long Yanqin , Wei Wei , Shi Zhihong , Li Xiaoqing , Fang Xiucai , Gao Huibin , Qi Lingzhi , Hou Xiaohua
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION:

The therapeutic effect of probiotics for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was controversial. This study aims to evaluate the short-term efficacy of Bifidobacterium quadruple viable tablet in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS and explore factors associated with response to probiotics.

METHODS:

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial was performed in 15 hospitals. A total of 290 patients who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were assigned to the probiotics or placebo group randomly with a ratio of 1:1 for a 4-week treatment and a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcome was the response rate. It was regarded as the proportion of patients with composite responses of improvement in both abdominal pain and diarrhea simultaneously.

RESULTS:

After 4-week continuous administration, the response rates of the probiotics and the placebo were 67.59% and 36.55%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the probiotics, those with higher abdominal pain scores (2.674 [1.139–6.279]) were more likely to respond, but responders in placebo had lower Hamilton Depression Scale score (0.162 [0.060–0.439]), lower Hamilton Anxiety Scale score (0.335 [0.148–0.755]), and higher degree of bloating (2.718 [1.217–6.074]). Although the diversity of the microbiota was not significantly changed by probiotics, the abundance of bacteria producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including Butyricimonas (P = 0.048), Pseudobutyrivibrio (P = 0.005), Barnesiella (P = 0.020), and Sutterella (P = 0.020), and the concentration of SCFAs including butyric acid (P = 0.010), valeric acid (P = 0.019), and caproic acid (P = 0.046) in feces increased.

DISCUSSION:

A Bifidobacterium quadruple viable tablet had a significant short-term efficacy for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant IBS and was more effective in patients with higher abdominal pain scores. This kind of probiotics could improve the abundance of several bacteria producing SCFAs and the concentration of fecal SCFAs compared with placebos.