bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formal cooperation in macaque monkeys obtained via single-payoff change from formal coordination games
Authors: van Coeverden Charlotte , Schultz Wolfram
Published: December 2022

Coordination and cooperation are hallmarks of the behavior of social animals. Coordination requires common choices to obtain maximum benefit, whereas cooperation requires to forgo immediate selfish outcome for later common maximum benefit. A well validated economic game for investigating cooperation is Prisoner Dilemma (PD). Recent studies show that monkeys cooperate to a limited extent when playing an iterated PD. In our experiment, macaque monkeys made choices on a touchscreen to obtain juice reward whose amount depended on the choices of both animals. We designed four coordination games and two cooperation games (iterated PD) that differed only in a single payoff (the so-called temptation) while all other payoffs remained constant. The increasing temptation payoff resulted in performance that varied somewhat in the coordination game (probability of common choice between p = 0.55 and p = 0.70) but dropped in both cooperation games while nevertheless remaining significant (p = 0.28 to p = 0.68). The response time of the second player increased significantly when the first player chose the cooperative option across all games, suggesting reciprocation; further, the animals seemed to benefit from seeing the action of the other player, indicating that the choices incorporated a social component. Taken together, our results demonstrate good cooperation in the iterated PD by macaque monkeys after being primed with coordination games.
Evolution of mate harm resistance in females fromDrosophila melanogasterpopulations selected for faster development and early reproduction
Authors: Verma Tanya , Das Susnato , Lobo Saunri Dhodi , Mishra Ashish Kumar , Bhattacharyya Soumi , Nandy Bodhisatta
Published: December 2022

Interlocus sexual conflict is predicted to result in sexually antagonistic coevolution between male competitive traits, which are also female-detrimental, and mate harm resistance (MHR) in females. Little is known about connection life-history evolution and sexually antagonistic coevolution. Here, we investigated the evolution of MHR in a set of experimentally evolved populations, where mate-harming ability has been shown to have evolved in males as a correlated response to the selection for faster development and early reproduction. We measured mortality and fecundity of females of these populations and those of their matched controls, under different male exposure conditions. We observed that the evolved females were more susceptible to mate harm - suffering from significantly higher mortality under continuous exposure to control males within the twenty-day assay period. Though these evolved females are known to have shorter lifespan, such higher mortality was not observed under virgin and single-mating conditions. We used fecundity data to show that this higher mortality in evolved females is unlikely due to cost of egg production. Further analysis indicated that this decreased MHR is unlikely to be due purely to the smaller size of these females. Instead, it is more likely to be an indirect experimentally evolved response attributable to the changed breeding ecology, and/or male trait evolution. Our results underline the implications of changes in life history traits, including lifespan, to the evolution of MHR in females.
Cataloguing and profiling of the gut virome in Chinese populations uncover extensive viral signatures across common diseases
Authors: Li Shenghui , Yan Qiulong , Zhang Yue , Guo Ruochun , Zhang Pan , Lv Qingbo , Chen Fang , Li Zhiming , Meng Jinxin , Li Jing , Wang Guangyang , Chen Changming , Ullah Hayan , Cheng Lin , Fan Shao , Li Rui , You Wei , Zhang Yan , Ma Jie , Sun Wen , Ma Xiaochi
Published: December 2022

The gut viral community has been linked to human physiology and health, but our knowledge of its genetic and functional contents and disease dependence is far from complete. Here, we collected 11,327 bulk or viral metagenomes from fecal samples from large-scale Chinese populations to establish a Chinese gut virus catalogue (cnGVC) comprising 67,096 nonredundant viral genomes. This catalogue included ∼70% of novel viruses that are not represented in existing gut viral databases, and allowed us to characterize the functional diversity and specificity of the gut virome. Using cnGVC, we 1) profiled the gut virome in large-scale populations and evaluated their sex- and age-related variations, 2) investigated the diversity and compositional patterns of the gut virome across common diseases by analyzing 6,314 bulk metagenomes spanning 28 disease or unhealthy statuses, and 3) identified a large number of universal viral signatures of diseases and validated their predictive ability for health status. Overall, our resources and results would contribute to the grand effort of expanding the knowledge of the human gut virome and addressing a full picture of the associations between viruses and common diseases.
Genome-wide evaluation of the effect of short tandem repeat variation on local DNA methylation
Authors: Martin-Trujillo Alejandro , Garg Paras , Patel Nihir , Jadhav Bharati , Sharp Andrew J.
Published: December 2022

Short tandem repeats (STRs) contribute significantly to genetic diversity in humans, including disease-causing variation. Although the effect of STR variation on gene expression has been extensively assessed, their impact on epigenetics has been poorly studied and limited to specific genomic regions. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that some STRs act as independent regulators of local DNA methylation in the human genome and modify risk of common human traits. To address these questions, we first analyzed two independent data sets comprising PCR-free whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and genome-wide DNA methylation levels derived from whole-blood samples in 245 (discovery cohort) and 484 individuals (replication cohort). Using genotypes for 131,635 polymorphic STRs derived from WGS using HipSTR, we identified 11,870 STRs that associated with DNA methylation levels (mSTRs) of 11,774 CpGs (BonferroniP< 0.001) in our discovery cohort, with 90% successfully replicating in our second cohort. Subsequently, through fine-mapping using CAVIAR we defined 585 of these mSTRs as the likely causal variants underlying the observed associations (fm-mSTRs) and linked a fraction of these to previously reported genome-wide association study signals, providing insights into the mechanisms underlying complex human traits. Furthermore, by integrating gene expression data, we observed that 12.5% of the tested fm-mSTRs also modulate expression levels of nearby genes, reinforcing their regulatory potential. Overall, our findings expand the catalog of functional sequence variants that affect genome regulation, highlighting the importance of incorporating STRs in future genetic association analysis and epigenetics data for the interpretation of trait-associated variants.
Backstage researching resilience researchers – dilemmas and principles for data collection in the resilience in healthcare research program
Authors: Wiig Siri , Haraldseid-Driftland Cecilie , Dombestein Heidi , Lyng Hilda Bø , Ree Eline , Fagerdal Birte , Schibevaag Lene , Guise Veslemøy
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Resilience in healthcare is fundamental for what constitutes quality in healthcare. To understand healthcare resilience, resilience research needs a multilevel perspective, diverse research designs, and taking advantage of different data sources. However, approaching resilience researchers as a data source is a new approach within this field and needs careful consideration to ensure that research is trustworthy and ethically sound. The aim of this short “backstage” general review paper is to give a snapshot of how the Resilience in Healthcare (RiH) research program identified and dealt with potential methodological and ethical challenges in researching researcher colleagues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first provide an overview of the main challenges and benefits from the literature on researching researcher colleagues. Second, the authors demonstrate how this literature was used to guide strategies and principles adopted in the RiH research process.

Findings

The paper describes established principles and a checklist for data collection and analysis to overcome potential dilemmas and challenges to ensure trustworthiness and transparency in the process.

Originality/value

Mining the knowledge and experience of resilience researchers is fundamental for taking the research field to the next step, and furthermore an approach that is relevant across different research fields. This paper provides guidance on how other research projects can approach researcher colleagues in similar ways to gain new insight, build theory and advance their research field based on insider competence.
The influence of socio-cognitive mindfulness and resilience on middle managers' stress and thriving during COVID-19: results from two studies
Authors: Slaymaker Rachel R. , O'Byrne Kristin Koetting , Williams Peter E.
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of socio-cognitive mindfulness on resilience, stress and thriving among middle managers in higher education at two separate periods during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Study 1, the authors examined how socio-cognitive mindfulness predicted perceived stress and whether the relationship between mindfulness and perceived stress was mediated by resilience. In Study 2, the authors replicated the first study and further hypothesized that the link between mindfulness and thriving was also mediated by resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted cross-sectional correlational studies to test the hypotheses using data from 163 middle managers in higher education early in the pandemic in Study 1 and 204 middle managers a year later in Study 2.

Findings

Study 1 findings showed socio-cognitive mindfulness predicted perceived stress, and that resilience fully mediated this relationship. In Study 2, socio-cognitive mindfulness did not predict perceived stress, but it did predict thriving, and that relationship was fully mediated by resilience.

Originality/value

This research is the first to address how socio-cognitive mindfulness directly impacts perceived stress and thriving and its impact through building resilience. To date, few studies have focused on stress in higher education middle managers or addressed the importance of building socio-cognitive mindfulness and resilience to thrive amid ongoing challenges. Implications of the pandemic's influence on the results are also addressed.
Comment-enriched index terms improve the relevance and novelty of the ranking of the commented medical articles retrieved by an NLP system
Authors: Rashidi Kianoosh , Sotudeh Hajar , Nikseresht Alireza
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate how the enrichment of medical documents' index terms by their comments improves the relevance and novelty of the top-ranked results retrieved by an NLP system.

Design/methodology/approach

A semi-experimental pre-test and post-test research was designed to compare NLP-based indexes before and after being expanded by the comment terms. The experiments were conducted on a test collection of 13,957 documents commented by F1000-Prime reviewers. They were indexed at title, abstract, body and full-text levels. In total, 100 seed documents were randomly selected and served as queries. The textual similarity of the documents and queries was calculated using Lucene-more-like-this function and evaluated by the semantic similarity of their MeSH. The results novelty was measured using maximal marginal relevance and evaluated by their MeSH novelties. Normalized discounted cumulative gain was used to compare the basic and expanded indexes' precisions at 10, 20 and 50 top ranks.

Findings

The relevance and novelty of the results ranked at the top precision points was improved after expanding the indexes by the comment terms. The finding implies that meta-texts are effective in representing their mother documents, by adding dynamic elements to their rather static contents. It also provides further evidence about the merits of the application of social intelligence and collective wisdom reflected in the actions and reactions of users in tackling the challenges faced by NLP-based systems.

Originality/value

This is the first study to confirm that social comments on scientific papers improve the performance of information systems in terms of relevance and novelty.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-05-2022-0283.
Growth dynamics and transcriptional responses of a Red SeaProchlorococcus strain to varying temperatures
Authors: Labban Abbrar , Shibl Ahmed A. , Calleja Maria Ll. , Hong Pei‐Ying , Morán Xosé Anxelu G.
Published: December 2022

Prochlorococcus play a crucial role in the ocean's biogeochemical cycling, but it remains controversial how they will respond to global warming. Here we assessed the response to temperature (22–30°C) of the growth dynamics and gene expression profiles of a Red Sea Prochlorococcus strain (RSP50) in a non‐axenic culture. Both the specific growth rate (0.55–0.80 day−1) and cell size (0.04–0.07 μm3) of Prochlorococcus increased significantly with temperature. The primary production released extracellularly ranged from 20% to 34%, with humic‐like fluorescent compounds increasing up to fivefold as Prochlorococcus reached its maximum abundance. At 30°C, genes involved in carbon fixation such as CsoS2 and CsoS3 and photosynthetic electron transport including PTOX were downregulated, suggesting a cellular homeostasis and energy saving mechanism response. In contrast, PTOX was found upregulated at 22°C and 24°C. Similar results were found for transaldolase, related to carbon metabolism, and citrate synthase, an important enzyme in the TCA cycle. Our data suggest that in spite of the currently warm temperatures of the Red Sea, Prochlorococcus can modulate its gene expression profiles to permit growth at temperatures lower than its optimum temperature (28°C) but is unable to cope with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
The Change in Judicial Practice in Cases Concerning Civil Disobedience Protests and its Constitutional Significance
Authors: Chow Pok Yin S.
Published: December 2022

Since the enactment of the Human Rights Act, the law concerning civil disobedience has changed dramatically. Originally sceptical about this form of protest activity, the UK courts now recognise the value of civil disobedience and the need for its protection on the grounds of free expression and assembly. Yet, as lawbreaking plays a crucial part in civil disobedience, the shift in judicial attitude may also affect how we view civil disobedience as a constitutional practice. This article reviews the change in direction in the development of case law on civil disobedience and discusses its constitutional significance. It argues that a more tolerant approach to civil disobedience will strengthen constitutional democracy.
Screening of natural phenazine producers for electroactivity in bioelectrochemical systems
Authors: Franco Angel , Elbahnasy Mahmoud , Rosenbaum Miriam A.
Published: December 2022

Mediated extracellular electron transfer (EET) might be a great vehicle to connect microbial bioprocesses with electrochemical control in stirred‐tank bioreactors. However, mediated electron transfer to date is not only much less efficient but also much less studied than microbial direct electron transfer to an anode. For example, despite the widespread capacity of pseudomonads to produce phenazine natural products, only Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been studied for its use of phenazines in bioelectrochemical applications. To provide a deeper understanding of the ecological potential for the bioelectrochemical exploitation of phenazines, we here investigated the potential electroactivity of over 100 putative diverse native phenazine producers and the performance within bioelectrochemical systems. Five species from the genera Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Nocardiopsis, Brevibacterium and Burkholderia were identified as new electroactive bacteria. Electron discharge to the anode and electric current production correlated with the phenazine synthesis of Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aurantiaca. Phenazine‐1‐carboxylic acid was the dominant molecule with a concentration of 86.1 μg/ml mediating an anodic current of 15.1 μA/cm2. On the other hand, Nocardiopsis chromatogenes used a wider range of phenazines at low concentrations and likely yet‐unknown redox compounds to mediate EET, achieving an anodic current of 9.5 μA/cm2. Elucidating the energetic and metabolic usage of phenazines in these and other species might contribute to improving electron discharge and respiration. In the long run, this may enhance oxygen‐limited bioproduction of value‐added compounds based on mediated EET mechanisms.
A novel model to evaluate the fatigue resistance of NiTi instruments: Rotational and axial movement at body temperature
Authors: Baird Evan , Huang Xiangya , Liu He , Hieawy Ahmed , Ruse N. Dorin , Wang Zhejun , Haapasalo Markus , Shen Ya
Published: December 2022

To develop a model to test cyclic fatigue resistance of TruNatomy instruments undergoing rotational and axial movement at body temperature. A total of 288 Prime and Medium instruments were subjected to cyclic fatigue testing in simulated canals (at 37°C) using a model with either rotational movement only or rotational and axial movement simultaneously. Two different sized canals and three different types of curvatures were tested for each instrument (30/0.04 and 30/0.06 for Prime; 38/0.04 and 40/0.06 for Medium). The number of cycles to failure (fatigue resistance) was recorded. Rotational and axial movement of instruments led to greater fatigue resistance compared with rotational movement alone. Apical curvatures led to greater fatigue resistance than curvatures in the coronal and middle third. The developed dynamic model at body temperature to evaluate fatigue resistance of instrument closer simulates clinical scenarios.
Impacts of different Nickel–Titanium rotary and reciprocating root canal preparation systems on the amount of apically extruded debris
Authors: Abduljalil Mohamad , Andac Gizem , Basmaci Fatma
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the amount of apically extruded debris caused by different NiTi files. One hundred mandibular premolars were included in this study. The specimens were divided into five groups (n = 20): (i) TruNatomy, (ii) WaveOne Gold, (iii) 2Shape, (iv) ProTaper Next and (v) Reciproc Blue. The extruded debris was collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes. These tubes were weighed again, and the net weight of debris was calculated. Data were statistically analysed, and the significance level was set at 5%. The least amount of extruded debris was observed in the TruNatomy group (p < 0.05). Statistically significant differences were not found among (iii), (iv) and (v) groups (p > 0.05). However, these groups resulted in significantly higher amounts of debris when compared to (i) and (ii) groups (p < 0.05). The results lead us to conclude that all instrumentation systems caused apical extrusion of debris at varying weights.
Religiosity and hazardous substance use: The moderating role of trauma‐related shame
Authors: Channell Isabella , Thomas Emmanuel D. , Forkus Shannon R. , Salvatore Gianna , Vieira Monica , Weiss Nicole H.
Published: December 2022

Background and Objectives

Hazardous substance use is a major public health concern among individuals with a history of sexual victimization. Although increased religiosity has been known to serve as a protective factor against hazardous substance use, religious individuals with a history of sexual victimization may be at a greater risk for hazardous substance use due to difficulties reconciling sexual victimization with their religious beliefs. Individuals with greater trauma‐related shame may engage in hazardous substance use as a means of coping with the traumatic event.

Method

The present study consisted of 614 participants (Mage = 34.57, 50% women).

Results

Results suggested that organizational, nonorganizational, and intrinsic religiosity were positively associated with hazardous alcohol use at higher, but not lower, levels of trauma‐related shame. Organizational and intrinsic religiosity were positively associated with hazardous drug use at higher, but not lower, levels of trauma‐related shame.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

This is the first study to examine the role of trauma‐related shame in the relationship between religiosity and hazardous substance use. The findings underline the importance of targeting trauma‐related shame in religious individuals with a history of sexual victimization.
Morphological and biochemical analysis of cells cultured on fibrous poly(ε‐caprolactone) scaffolds with different degrees of fiber alignment produced by solution blow spinning
Authors: França Regina C. A. S. , Simbara Marcia M. O. , Malmonge Sônia M. , Santos Arnaldo R.
Published: December 2022

Background

Bioresorbable materials are compounds that decompose in physiological mediums both in vitro and in vivo and are used as an alternative to temporary implants in injured tissues. The aim of this study was to analyze the morphology and cytochemistry of cells grown on fibrous poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds and to measure cell metabolism parameters by biochemical analysis of the conditioned culture medium from cells grown on the scaffolds.

Methods

Fibrous PCL scaffolds were used under the following conditions: unaligned fibers (NA), fibers aligned at 150 rpm (A150), and fibers aligned at 300 rpm (A300). Vero cells were cultured on these scaffolds for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Samples were analyzed by SEM, MicroCT, cytochemistry, and culture medium biochemistry.

Results

The results of the cytochemical analysis showed cells were confluent and well spread on the culture plate, while cells grown on the polymeric scaffold, exhibited an elongated morphology. In the biochemical analyses, no significant differences were observed in the expression of alkaline phosphatase or in the levels of cholesterol or total protein in the culture medium. The different materials do not seem to promote changes in the expression or metabolism of these molecules. Only glucose was markedly reduced in the culture medium of cells grown on either aligned or unaligned scaffolds for 48 h or 72 h. This finding indicates the intense energy requirements of cells grown on these scaffolds.

Conclusion

PCL fibers showed a great capacity to support cell growth. These data reinforce the interpretation that cells grow satisfactorily on PCL scaffolds.
Review article: diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of atrial fibrillation in cirrhosis and portal hypertension
Authors: Vandenberk Bert , Altieri Mario H. , Liu Hongqun , Raj Satish R. , Lee Samuel S.
Published: December 2022

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia and its management in cirrhosis can be challenging due to the altered hepatic metabolism of medications and increased risk of bleeding.

Aims

To provide a comprehensive overview of the diagnosis, pathophysiology and management of AF in patients with cirrhosis from both a cardiology and a hepatology perspective.

Methods

An extensive literature search was performed using the terms ‘atrial fibrillation’ and ‘cirrhosis’. Guideline documents and consensus statements were explored.

Results

The prevalence of AF in patients with cirrhosis ranges between 6.6% and 14.2%, while the incidence of new‐onset AF in the post‐operative period after liver transplant ranged between 6.8% and 10.2%. AF in patients with cirrhosis is associated with adverse outcomes in both pre‐transplant and post‐transplant settings, including an increased risk of stroke when compared to the general population. We review the pathogenesis of AF in general and in cirrhosis. This review also provides guidance on the management of AF, including the use of anticoagulation and rate versus rhythm control. In the absence of strict contraindications, all patients with cirrhosis and AF should be anticoagulated. The use of DOACs is preferred over vitamin K antagonists. In patients with a high bleeding risk, a DOAC with an approved antidote may be preferred.

Conclusions

Atrial fibrillation is increased in patients with cirrhosis. AF management requires careful consideration of treatment options. Since patients with cirrhosis were excluded from all major randomised clinical trials, dedicated research on the pathophysiology and management of AF in cirrhosis is needed.
KIAA1429 promotes infantile hemangioma regression by facilitating the stemness of hemangioma endothelial cells
Authors: Wang Luying , Zou Yuqing , Huang Zhishun , Wang Wenjing , Li Jing , Bi Jianhai , Huo Ran
Published: December 2022

Infantile hemangiomas are common vascular tumors with a specific natural history. The proliferation and regression mechanism of infantile hemangiomas may be related to the multilineage differentiation ability of hemangioma stem cells, but the specific mechanism is not well elucidated. KIAA1429 is an N6‐methyladenosine methylation‐related protein that can also exert its role in a methylation‐independent manner. This study aims to explore the function of KIAA1429 in infantile hemangiomas. qRT‐PCR, western blotting, and immunostaining were performed to verify the expression of KIAA1429. The endothelial and fibroblast‐like phenotypes of hemangioma endothelial cells were detected after KIAA1429 knockdown and overexpression. The stemness properties of hemangioma endothelial cells and the underlying mechanism of KIAA1429 in hemangiomas were also investigated. Nude mouse models of infantile hemangiomas were conducted to ascertain the effects of KIAA1429 in vivo. The results showed that KIAA1429 was highly expressed in infantile hemangiomas, particularly in involuting hemangiomas. In vitro experiments confirmed that KIAA1429 inhibited the endothelial phenotype, enhanced the differentiation ability, and promoted the fibroblast‐like phenotype of hemangioma endothelial cells by inducing endothelial cell transition to facultative stem cells. However, the effect of KIAA1429 on the potential target was shown to be independent of N6‐methyladenosine methylation modification. Mouse models further revealed that KIAA1429 could inhibit the proliferation and promote the regression of hemangiomas. In conclusion, this study found that KIAA1429 played an important role in the regression of infantile hemangiomas by enhancing the stemness of hemangioma endothelial cells and could be a potential treatment target for infantile hemangiomas.
Keeping Voices in the Room: Values Clarification in Codesign for Equitable Science and Technology Education
Authors: Dixon Colin G. , Hsi Sherry , Van Doren Seth
Published: December 2022

When engaging issues at the intersection of science and society, science centers, museums and other informal STEM learning organizations struggle to center perspectives of communities most often impacted by the unequal distribution of technologies' benefits and harms. Increasingly, participatory design is being utilized to do this, but the field must continue to refine methods for accessing the expertise of community partners and keeping it present across multiple design stages and products. We share a case study in which a multi‐institution project team, developing resources for educational programming around radio frequency technologies, worked with community design to establish a values foundation that could guide initial planning and ongoing development. We share design methods adapted from values sensitive design and equity‐centered research‐practice partnership, as well as insights relevant to enacting design practice that can build relational equity, leverage data across institutional boundaries, and span locations, platforms and levels of expertise.
Lessons from the implementation of residential methamphetamine contamination policies in New Zealand
Authors: Sanchez Lozano Claudia Denisse , Wilkins Chris , Rychert Marta
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Methamphetamine contamination of housing has been discussed as a significant issue in New Zealand. However, scientific evidence to determine a threshold level at which health harms occur is inconclusive, resulting in conflicting and changing guidance. The initial strong precautionary policy, with significant unintended impacts on vulnerable public housing tenants, dramatically changed following a scientific review. This study explores the policy response to residential methamphetamine contamination in New Zealand over the past decade.

Methods

Thematic analysis of semi‐structured interviews with 13 key stakeholders involved in policy development/implementation, including those from government, industry, residential housing and academic sectors.

Results

Consistent application of a methamphetamine contamination threshold for housing has been problematic due to legislative and regulatory gaps. Stakeholders in the residential sector have been influenced by perceptions of methamphetamine contamination as a health risk, political views on drug use, media coverage and the testing industry's business practices. Public housing tenants have faced disadvantages when resolving methamphetamine contamination disputes. The testing industry's participation in committees shaping the regulatory response presents a possible conflict of interest. Wide media coverage heightened public anxiety about the problem but may also have stimulated policy changes to alleviate unintended consequences of the precautionary approach.

Discussion and Conclusions

New Zealand's fragmented policy response to residential methamphetamine contamination is likely rooted in the lack of scientific evidence, with some key actors further exacerbating the response. Future policy development should seek to produce overarching regulation that guides the whole sector while balancing powers of the stakeholders involved.
Twin‐grasper assisted mucosal inverted closure achieves complete healing of large perforations after gastric endoscopic full‐thickness resection
Authors: Cai Qinbo , Fu Huafeng , Zhang Lele , Shen Minxuan , Yi Shaoxiong , Xie Rongman , Lan Wentong , Dong Wenqing , Chen Xiaolian , Zhang Jie , Hou Xun , He Yulong , Yang Dongjie
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of a novel twin‐grasper assisted mucosal inverted closure (TAMIC) technique for large perforations after gastric endoscopic full‐thickness resection (EFTR) in a porcine model.

Methods

Iatrogenic large perforations of the stomach were created and closed by an experienced endoscopist using the TAMIC technique in 12 pigs. Repeat gastroscopy was performed in 4 weeks after surgery to examine the wound sites and then the animals were killed. The primary outcomes were the successful TAMIC closure rate and the complete healing rate. Secondary end points included procedure time of TAMIC, complete inverted healing rate, delayed bleeding rate, and postsurgery perforation. Histologies of the wounds were analyzed by hematoxylin–eosin, Masson trichrome, and immunohistochemistry staining.

Results

The median size of the defects was 3.5 (range 2.5–4.5) cm. TAMIC was successfully performed in all the 12 pigs. Complete healing was achieved in 11 pigs 4 weeks after operation as one pig died postsurgery due to severe pneumonia. The median procedure time for TAMIC was 39 (range 23–81) min. The complete inverted healing rate was 45.5% (5/11). No delayed bleeding or postsurgery perforation was observed. Histologic analyses showed that both the epithelium and muscularis mucosae layers were appropriately connected under inverted healing.

Conclusions

Twin‐grasper assisted mucosal inverted closure is feasible and safe for closure of large perforations after gastric EFTR and could be a propagable and promising technique for clinical practice.
Soil organic carbon under conservation agriculture in Mediterranean and humid subtropical climates: Globalmeta‐analysis
Authors: Tadiello Tommaso , Acutis Marco , Perego Alessia , Schillaci Calogero , Valkama Elena
Published: December 2022

Conservation agriculture (CA) is an agronomic system based on minimum soil disturbance (no‐tillage, NT), permanent soil cover, and species diversification. The effects of NT on soil organic carbon (SOC) changes have been widely studied, showing somewhat inconsistent conclusions, especially in relation to the Mediterranean and humid subtropical climates. These areas are highly vulnerable and predicted climate change is expected to accentuate desertification and, for these reasons, there is a need for clear agricultural guidelines to preserve or increment SOC. We quantitively summarized the results of 47 studies all around the world in these climates investigating the sources of variation in SOC responses to CA, such as soil characteristics, agricultural management, climate, and geography. Within the climatic area considered, the overall effect of CA on SOC accumulation in the plough layer (0–0.3 m) was 12% greater in comparison to conventional agriculture. On average, this result corresponds to a carbon increase of 0.48 Mg C ha−1 year−1. However, the effect was variable depending on the SOC content under conventional agriculture: it was 20% in soils which had ≤ 40 Mg C ha−1, while it was only 7% in soils that had > 40 Mg C ha−1. We proved that 10 years of CA impact the most on soil with SOC ≤ 40 Mg C ha−1. For soils with less than 40 Mg C ha−1, increasing the proportion of crops with bigger residue biomasses in a CA rotation was a solution to increase SOC. The effect of CA on SOC depended on clay content only in soils with more than 40 Mg C ha−1and become null with a SOC/clay index of 3.2. Annual rainfall (that ranged between 331–1850 mm y−1) and geography had specific effects on SOC depending on its content under conventional agriculture. In conclusion, SOC increments due to CA application can be achieved especially in agricultural soils with less than 40 Mg C ha−1and located in the middle latitudes or in the dry conditions of Mediterranean and humid subtropical climates.

Highlights

The results of 47 studies were quantitively summarized by using a meta‐analysis

SOC accumulation due to CA was 12% greater compared to conventional agriculture

SOC increment due to CA can reach 20% in soils having less than 40 Mg C ha−1

The impacts of pedo‐climatic factors and agronomic management practices were studied
Applying information ecological theory to analyse the green supply chain management system in universities
Authors: Wang Qi , Zhang Wenjie , Ma Lan
Published: December 2022

In order to create higher benefits for enterprises in the university supply chain and make them meet the requirements of sustainable development, this study uses information ecology theory to study the cognitive management and transformation path of the green supply chain. Firstly, the related concepts of university supply chain management and green supply chain management are expounded, and the differences are mainly discussed. Then, the evaluation of supply chain greenness is studied. The fuzzy hierarchical comprehensive evaluation method combining quantitative and qualitative is used to establish the evaluation model. Finally, the proposed evaluation model is tested. The test results show that Suzhou University's greenness fuzzy evaluation score is 58.2 points, which is a medium level. The resource factor scored 61 points, the energy factor scored 52.9 points, the environmental factors scored 59.8 points, the economic factor scored 62.7 points, and the social factor scored 55.5 points. The company has obvious advantages in terms of resources and economy, but the level is not very high. The higher the cost synergy between enterprises and customers, the greater the environmental cost synergy. Therefore, manufacturing enterprises should strengthen communication and cooperation with customers. The higher the cost synergy control of manufacturing and waste recycling enterprises, the greater the synergy effect of environmental cost control. Therefore, increasing cooperation with waste recycling enterprises is conducive to developing environmental cost control and coordinated benefits. The proposed scheme provides some ideas for applying information ecology theory in the university supply chain.
Empirically Derived California Vapor Intrusion Attenuation Factors
Authors: Abbasi Rafat , Bosan William , Gallagher Dan
Published: December 2022

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) gathered empirical data from sites contaminated with chlorinated volatile organic compounds and generated a vapor intrusion database. The database includes 52 sites across California with 213 buildings, of which, 53% are residential, and 47% are commercial/industrial (nonresidential). DTSC's objective is to improve its knowledge and understanding of vapor intrusion and derive empirical attenuation factors that are representative of the climatic conditions and types of buildings commonly found in the state. Filtering was applied to remove data of suspect quality that were potentially affected by background sources. After filtering to 600 pairs from 32 sites across California, a subslab attenuation factor (AF) was calculated yielding a 95th percentile of 0.005. After filtering to 2926 paired measurements from 39 sites across California, a soil vapor AF was calculated yielding a 95th percentile of 0.0009. The groundwater data was not analyzed due to the small size of the dataset. The AFs from this study are similar to AFs in a California‐specific study by Lahvis and Ettinger (2021). Accordingly, converging lines of evidence suggest that vapor attenuation in California is different from what is observed nationwide by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), where an AF of 0.03 was empirically derived and later recommended for initial screening of buildings for potential vapor intrusion exposure (USEPA, 2015).
Relation between caries experience and the consumption of sweetened drinks and processed food in children: A population‐based study
Authors: Amato Juliana Neide , de Sousa Eskenazi Ednalva Maria , Massaoka Carla , de Araújo de Assis Camila Rodrigues , Castelo Paula Midori
Published: December 2022

Objectives

Diet can play a role in caries disease and the consumption of ultra‐processed foods has increased over the years. The purpose was to propose predictive models on the relation between caries experience, diet, sex, and oral health aspects.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 5213 schoolchildren aged 2–11 years and a questionnaire based on WHO Oral Health Survey was applied to assess the intake of sugary foods, oral hygiene practices, access to health services and parents' perception; dmft/DMFT index, biofilm accumulation and orthodontic treatment need were assessed by 6 calibrated dentists.

Results

The logistic model showed that female sex and presence of biofilm increased the chance of having early childhood caries; besides, this chance increased by 17% for each additional day of sweetened drink intake. In children aged 6–11 years, a negative binomial regression model showed that the absence of biofilm and frequency of toothbrushing were related to lower caries index, while male sex and the consumption of salty snacks and cake/cookies were related to higher dmft+DMFT index. Disagreement or weak agreement between caregivers' perception of the presence of dental caries and children's need for dental treatment was found.

Conclusion

Early childhood caries was dependent on the consumption of sweetened drinks and the presence of biofilm, while in older children the caries experience was predicted by the consumption of snacks, cakes and biscuits, biofilm accumulation and toothbrushing frequency, emphasizing the need of health education to encourage healthy eating habits and oral care with an approach to parents/caregivers to prevent dental caries development.
Additional value of red blood cell parameters in predicting uncommon α‐thalassemia; experience from 10 years of α‐globin gene sequencing and copy number variation analysis
Authors: Fjeld Bente , Sudmann‐Day Åshild Amelie , Grimholt Runa Marie , Larstorp Anne Cecilie Kjeldsen , Urdal Petter , Klingenberg Olav
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The diagnosis of rare forms of α‐thalassemia requires laborious genetic analyses. Accurate sample selection for such evaluation is therefore essential. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the predictive power of red blood cell parameters to detect rare forms of α‐thalassemia (substudy 1), and to explore the frequency of rare versus common forms of α‐thalassemia in our sample population (substudy 2).

Methods

In substudy 1, we reviewed all blood samples selected for extended α‐hemoglobinopathy evaluation at our laboratory during 2011–2020 (n = 1217), which included DNA sequencing and/or copy number variation analysis. We assessed α‐thalassemia positive samples at different levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) alone and in combination with results for red blood cell count (RBC) or red cell distribution width (RDW). In substudy 2, we examined the distribution of α‐thalassemia genotypes for all samples submitted to a first‐tier hemoglobinopathy evaluation at our laboratory during 2014–2020 (n = 6495).

Results

In substudy 1, both RBC and RDW added predictive value in detecting rare forms of α‐thalassemia in samples from adults and children. In adult samples with MCH ≤ 23 pg, the presence of erythrocytosis increased the detection rate from 27% to 74% as compared to non‐erythrocytosis, while normal RDW increased the detection rate from 36% to 86% as compared to elevated RDW. In substudy 2, rare forms of α‐thalassemia were detected in 12% of α‐thalassemia positive samples.

Conclusion

Initial assessment of MCH, RBC, and RDW provided valuable predictive information about the presence of rare forms of α‐thalassemia during hemoglobinopathy evaluation.
Activation‐induced marker assays for identification of Trypanosoma cruzi‐specific CD4 or CD8 T cells in chronic Chagas disease patients
Authors: Ferragut Fátima , Cruz Karen M. , Gallardo Juan P. , Fernández Marisa , Hernández Vasquez Yolanda , Gómez Karina A.
Published: December 2022

Antigen‐specific T cells are central to the adaptive immune response against T. cruzi infection and underpin the efficacy of on‐going vaccine strategies. In this context, the present study focuses on T‐cell assays that define the parasite‐specificity on the basis of upregulation of TCR stimulation‐induced surface markers. For this purpose, we tested different dual marker combinations (OX40, CD25, CD40L, CD137, CD69, PD‐L1, CD11a, CD49d, HLA‐DR, CD38) to reliably identify activated CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell populations from PBMCs of chronic Chagas disease (CCD) patients after 12 or 24 h of stimulation with T. cruzi lysate. Results demonstrated that activation‐induced markers (AIM) assays combining the expression of OX40, CD25, CD40L, CD137, CD69 and/or PD‐L1 surface markers are efficient at detecting T. cruzi‐specific CD4+ T cells in CCD patients, in comparison to non‐infected donors, after both stimulation times. For CD8+ T cells, only PD‐L1/OX40 after 24 h of antigen exposure resulted to be useful to track a parasite‐specific response. We also demonstrated that the agnostic activation is mediated by different T. cruzi strains, such as Dm28c, CL Brener or Sylvio. Additionally, we successfully used this approach to identify the phenotype of activated T lymphocytes based on the expression of CD45RA and CCR7. Overall, our results show that different combinations of AIM markers represent an effective and simple tool for the detection of T. cruzi‐specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
Are twindemics occurring?
Authors: Takashita Emi , Watanabe Shinji , Hasegawa Hideki , Kawaoka Yoshihiro
Published: December 2022

The emergence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), which causes coronavirus disease (COVID‐19), prompted worldwide COVID‐19 surveillance. To investigate the impact of COVID‐19 on influenza activity, we used global surveillance data collected since 2019 to compare the number of cases positive for COVID‐19 and for influenza across 22 representative countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, The Philippines, Poland, The Republic of Korea, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, The United Kingdom, The United States, and Vietnam). Our results demonstrate alternating prevalence of SARS‐CoV‐2 and influenza virus.
A very unusual wide QRS tachycardia: VT or SVT?
Authors: Verbeet Thierry , Nguyen Thomas , Castro Jose
Published: December 2022

Introduction

A 13 old girl presented with recurrent wide QRS tachycardia since she was 4.

Methods

An electrophysiologic study was performed.

Results

The electrophysiologic study showed that QRS complexes identical to those of the tachycardia could be elicited with premature atrial extrastimuli but with a shorter atrioventricular (AV) delay when the QRS was wide compared with narrow QRS complexes. The tachycardia was ablated at 9 o'clock on the tricuspid annulus demonstrating the presence of an atriofascicular fiber.

Conclusion

We believe that this atypical behavior can be explained by AV nodal like longitudinal dissociation of a slowly conducting accessory pathway.
Specifying the Three Ws in Educational Measurement: Who Uses Which Scores for What Purpose?
Authors: Ho Andrew
Published: December 2022

I argue that understanding and improving educational measurement requires specificity about actors, scores, and purpose: Who uses which scores for what purpose? I show how this specificity complements Briggs’ frameworks for educational measurement that he presented in his 2022 address as president of the National Council on Measurement in Education.
Boldness, movement and exploration tendency in round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in Southern Ontario
Authors: Yeung Emily J. , Klemet‐N'Guessan Sandra , Hossie Thomas J. , Fox Michael G.
Published: December 2022

Invasive species have the potential to damage ecosystems outside their native range. At an invasion front, individuals are faced with the unfamiliar conditions of a novel environment. Therefore, certain behavioural traits such as boldness and movement likely play a role in invasion ecology. If behavioural traits of this kind are influenced by differing selection pressures between demographic groups of the same species, this could have broad implications for the management of expanding invasion fronts. To determine whether the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus, Pallas, 1814) exhibits sex‐ and habitat‐based differences in boldness and movement across the invasion front, the authors assessed individual movement and exploration tendency under controlled lab settings using video analysis in a behavioural assay. N. melanostomus from lakes tended to be bolder than those from streams, and females tended to be bolder than males. This study provides evidence for sex‐ and habitat‐based differences in behaviour in this globally invasive species that the authors hope will assist in forming the foundation for contextually appropriate management strategies.